By Mike Collett
LONDON (Reuters) - West Bromwich Albion were relegated from the Premier League after just one season when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
Goals from Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt sealed West Brom's fate after a recent revival in their form suggested they could launch a second "great escape" after famously avoiding relegation in 2005.
Liverpool went ahead after 28 minutes when England's newly-crowned Footballer of the Year Gerrard pounced on a mistake by centre-back Shelton Martis.
He failed to control a soft pass from a team mate properly and Gerrard was first to the loose ball, powering forward and firing past Albion goalkeeper Dean Kiely. It was his 24th goal of the season in all competitions, extending his personal record.
Kuyt added the second in the 63rd minute when he flew past Jonas Olsson and shot low into the net.
"We gave it a good go, and if we'd gone a goal ahead ... But it's probably the story of our season: a sloppy defensive mistake and we're up against it," West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening told Sky Sports News.
"We've played some teams off the park this season and not got the results. It's just a lack of experience and naivety, maybe being a bit too gung-ho at times."
West Brom had chances to score, the best when substitute Luke Moore hit the post after 77 minutes and Marc-Antoine Fortune had the ball in the net soon after but was ruled offside.
As they have done for most of the season, they played some attractive football and fans gave them rousing support throughout the game and cheered them as they did a lap of honour with popular manager Tony Mowbray after the final whistle.
West Brom play their last match of the season at Blackburn Rovers next Sunday and remain bottom with 31 points. Sunderland (36 points), Hull City (35), Newcastle United (34) and Middlesbrough (32) are all still hoping to avoid filling the other two relegation places.
Liverpool, attempting to finish as runners-up to Manchester United who won the title on Saturday, stretched their unbeaten League run to 10 matches and moved on to 83 points, their best tally since the Premier League started in 1992-93.
Chelsea, who are third on 77 points, face Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge in a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.
(Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)