Soccer-Liverpool in Champions League after beating Middlesbrough

* Liverpool ensured a return to the Champions League by beating relegated Middlesbrough 3-0

* They will have to play in a qualifying round after finishing fourth

* Georgino Wijnaldum eased the tension by scoring just before halftime

* Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana added further goals

* Middlesbrough finished as lowest Premier League scorers

LIVERPOOL 3 MIDDLESBROUGH 0

May 21 ( Reuters) - Liverpool ensured a return to the Champions League by beating relegated Middlesbrough on Sunday, although they will have to play in a qualifying round after finishing fourth in the Premier League, two points behind Manchester City.

Needing a win to make sure of a return to Europe's premier club competition, Juergen Klopp's side looked edgy early on but the tension was lifted just before halftime when Dutchman Georgino Wijnaldum scored from a clever pass by Roberto Firmino.

In the second half Philippe Coutinho curled in a direct free kick and Adam Lallana added a third goal.

Middlesbrough, who thought they should have had a penalty with the score at 0-0, finished as the lowest Premier League scorers this season with 27 goals. (Reporting by Steve Tongue; Editing by Clare Fallon)