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Liverpool players shed tears after they threw away a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace to draw 3-3 in an extraordinary match on a night they all but surrendered in the Premier League title race.
Substitute Dwight Gayle's late brace completed a sensational Eagles comeback after Joe Allen, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suárez struck to put Liverpool three goals to the good.
Damien Delaney's defelcted effort in the 79th minute triggered an astonishing collapse from Brendan Rodgers' side, as players and fans uncontrollably wept at Selhurst Park.
Gayle strikes the equaliser that left Liverpool fans and players in tears
Liverpool are a point ahead of City ahead of the final day of the season, but the Manchester side have a game in hand and boast a vastly superior goal difference.
After Suárez's third, the Reds' followers implored the team to attack, hopeful of reducing the goal difference deficit. Everything seemed to be in order.
Palace have been instilled with a workmanlike attitude under Tony Pulis and, with the backing of a ferocious home crowd, miraculously clawed their way back into the game with 11 minutes remaining.
Palace 3-3 Liverpool
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(01 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: A dejected Luis Suarez of Liverpool reacts following his team's 3-3 draw during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(02 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool reacts following his team's 3-3 draw during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(03 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: A dejected Luis Suarez of Liverpool reacts following his team's 3-3 draw during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(04 of28)
Liverpool's Nigerian midfielder Victor Moses (L) reaches out to Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (C) as he reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(05 of28)
Liverpool's English defender Glen Johnson reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(06 of28)
Liverpool's Ivorian defender Kolo Toure (R) walks with his arm around Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (2R) as they leave the field at the end of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(07 of28)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) reacts behind goal scorer Crystal Palace's English striker Dwight Gayle (R) during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(08 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool reacts following his team's 3-3 draw during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(09 of28)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (R) shepherds Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (L) from the field as he reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(10 of28)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (R) reacts during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(11 of28)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (R) shepherds Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (L) from the field as he reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(12 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool reacts following his team's 3-3 draw during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(13 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(14 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet of Liverpool punches the bal clear during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(15 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Lucas Leiva of Liverpool passes the ball as Joe Ledley of Crystal Palace closes in during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(16 of28)
Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(17 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team' sthird goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(18 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Dwight Gayle of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's third goal to level the scores at 3-3 during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(19 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Dwight Gayle of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's third goal to level the scores at 3-3 during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(20 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Dwight Gayle of Crystal Palace scores his team's third goal to level the scores at 3-3 during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(21 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Dwight Gayle #16 (R) of Crystal Palace celebrates with teammate Yannick Bolasie after scoring his team's third goal to level the scores at 3-3 during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(22 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Dwight Gayle #16 (L) of Crystal Palace celebrates with teammate Yannick Bolasie after scoring his team's third goal to level the scores at 3-3 during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(23 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Dwight Gayle #16 (L) of Crystal Palace celebrates with teammate Yannick Bolasie after scoring his team's third goal to level the scores at 3-3 during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-LIVERPOOL(24 of28)
Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (C) takes on Crystal Palace's Irish defender Damien Delaney (L) during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on May 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(25 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool controls the ball Damien Delaney of Crystal Palace closes in during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(26 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool controls the ball Damien Delaney of Crystal Palace closes in during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(27 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League(28 of28)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Luis Suarez of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's third goal as dejected goalkeeper Julian Speroni of Crystal Palace looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on May 5, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)