Going back to Hull's demise for a moment, their relegation means three teams from the north-east of England have dropped into the Championship.

And geography matters...

* I know Hull isn't technically "the north-east" but you know what I mean...

Mark Schwarzer
Ex-Middlesbrough keeper on Radio 5 live

The ref got that completely wrong in my opinion. It was a clear foul from Matip. 

West Ham have every right to be upset by that decision. 

Oooof! Philippe Coutinho is always the man who looks like producing a moment of magic for Liverpool and he almost does it again.

The Brazilian runs square along an imaginary horizontal line about 25 yards from the Hammers goal, then eeks out the inch of space he needs to shoot.

It dips, it swerves, Adrian flaps, but the ball whistles over the home crossbar.

That comes a few seconds after West Ham demand a penalty when Manuel Lanzini tumbles. Ref Neil Swarbrick ain't having it.

A-ha. Here's another shot on target...and it goes Liverpool's way. Adam Lallana has popped up on the left flank, showing more creativity than a surrealist artist to tee up James Milner.

The Reds skipper's shot deflects off his own player - Divock Origi - and is easily gathered by Adrian.

Image source, Reuters

After a lively start, the tempo has dropped a touch. Liverpool shading possession, West Ham well organised defensively.

Image source, Getty Images

The sun is blazing at London Stadium. So much so that the players use a break in play to stock up on the H2O.

What's happening in east London? Not much.

Image source, AFP

Hull City

Hull City captain Michael Dawson speaking to Match of the Day: "The feeling of relegation is a hard feeling to express. It's a game we knew we had to win and got off to the worst possible start.

"We were playing risky football and got punished. It wasn't today we got relegated. The manager gave us a fighting chance but we've come up short.

"We've had some tough away games. Our form has been terrible. The tables turned last weekend so we came here with a big ask. It's a disappointing day.

"Relegation is the worst feeling as a footballer. Twelve months ago, it was an unbelievable feeling. I know how hard it is to get out of out of the Championship. We'll regroup and come back fighting."

Image source, Getty Images

If it wasn't for Marco Silva, Hull would have sunk quicker than a bag full of spanners lobbed into the Humber.

I'm interested to see where he will pitch up next season...

Hull City

Hull City manager Marco Silva told BBC Match of the Day: "It's a sad day for our fans and our boys. It's not a good moment. Now we have to take the next step and find out why this happened. Today we came here to play one final and we started in a bad way. It gave Palace what they wanted for the match. They knew what's in it for them.

"We tried but conceded again and it finished the game. We tried to make changes at half-time for a small reaction. Possession is not enough. You have to take the right decisions. At this level it makes a difference. 

"When the club came to me, we knew we were taking on a big risk. But we had one target to stay in the Premier League. We did our best to improve the boys in the team and that was our job."

Image source, Reuters

So the Premier League has waved goodbye to Hull today. Here's what the predictably-downbeat boss Marco Silva has to say...

Mark Schwarzer
Ex-Middlesbrough keeper on Radio 5 live

Adrian made that save look simple there. Coutinho hit that with great power and great accuracy but he held onto that very well. 

Adam Lallana's hair is seriously sharp today. More grease than your local chippy.

The Liverpool midfielder is also too slippy for the Hammers defence, teasing them on the right flank, before cutting inside to Phil Coutinho.

He shoots but it is bread and butter for Adrian.

Image source, Reuters

Quite open this. West Ham go back on the attack after that scare, Edimilson Fernandes deciding to see if Simon Mignolet is awake.

The Swiss midfielder bangs one from about 25 yards...it is heading towards the bottom right corner. Mignolet drops low to his left to push clear.

Liverpool should be 1-0 ahead.

Phil Coutinho swings in a deep corner from the left, team-mate Joel Matip peels off to the back stick. The Cameroonian defender meets the ball with a firm downward header which cannons into the turf and bounces up to hit the bar.

Hammers off the hook.

Image source, Reuters

Mark Schwarzer
Ex-Middlesbrough keeper on Radio 5 live

Daniel Sturridge is clearly lacking in confidence because of the lack of games he has had this season but one way for a striker to build that confidence back is to have a few shots on goal. 

Coutinho is their man man - he needs to be on the ball as often as possible this game. 

Sam Byram has never scored a Premier League goal. Daniel Sturridge, however, has plenty.

The Liverpool striker has not netted since 2 January, but his confidence has not disappeared. He has a pop from 20 yards, but it is low, weak and straight at Adrian.

Here we go. The game's first chance - and it falls to West Ham.

Manuel Lanzini scoots into space about 30 yards as the Hammers counter, looking up to see Sam Byram in acres of space on his right.

The young wing-back's eyes light up, he drills goalwards but drags his right-footed shot wide of the left post.

Dejan Lovren winces, takes a few deep breathes, but he is alright.