Fowler applauds the crowd during his standing ovation as he goes off after being substituted
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Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler's last league game for the club ended in a draw with Charlton as the Reds claimed third place in the Premiership.
Fowler's farewell started in disappointing style as Matt Holland's six-yard shot bobbled in.
Zheng Zhi missed two glorious chances for the visitors and they paid the price when Xabi Alonso slotted in.
Darren Bent volleyed in for Charlton before Harry Kewell converted a penalty just after Fowler's substitution.
Fowler, whose contract runs out in the summer, was made captain for the game and he was greeted rapturously as he led the Reds out.
But Charlton showed little regard for the occasion as they made Javier Mascherano pay for a misplaced pass in midfield by going on to score through Holland.
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606: DEBATE
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It should have been level when Addicks central defender Madjid Bougherra slipped and Alvaro Arbeloa had a free run on goal only to sidefoot wide.
Liverpool have a Champions League final to prepare for on 23 May and their minds already seemed distracted by that game as they put in a lacklustre performance.
The visitors were already relegated going into the game and were gifted several chances to end their seven-year spell in the Premiership on a positive note.
Ambrose scuffed a shot when unmarked before Bent felt he should have had a penalty for a Jamie Carragher push.
Zheng and Gerrard battle it out at Anfield
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Bent then beat the offside trap and crossed into the six-yard box and, after the Reds failed to clear, Alexandre Song saw his shot cleared off the line by Steve Finnan.
Zheng had two gilt-edged chances after the break but dinked a shot wide when one-on-one with Daniele Padelli and then headed wide from six yards.
Alonso equalised when he sidefooted in after Dirk Kuyt had nodded a Kewell cross back into the Spaniard's path.
Kewell struck the post and Fowler failed to take a chance before Bent volleyed in and Song hit the foot of the post for the visitors in a rousing finish.
Fowler could have made it a fairytale finale after he was found unmarked at the far post by Kuyt but he skied a shot from close range.
He was substituted late on and was given a standing ovation but was left ruing his exit as Liverpool were awarded a penalty.
Bougherra was punished for handball and, with Fowler off the pitch, Kewell stepped up to score.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"We wanted to pay tribute to Robbie and the supporters were fantastic as they always are.
"It was really good for a legend like him to say goodbye in front of the supporters. It was important to give him this opportunity
"It was not the best performance. We had chances but so did they. The team tactically and the movement, we were not playing at our level."
Charlton boss Alan Pardew:
"It would have been easy for us where we wallowed in self pity but we didn't. We came here and played with a smile on our faces.
"We should have won because we had so many chances.
"We've had a tough week. Me and my staff had to work hard to make sure everyone was in the right state of mind and the players were terrific.
Liverpool: Padelli, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa (Alonso 61), Gerrard, Mascherano, Zenden (Kewell 57), Riise, Kuyt, Fowler (Crouch 88).
Subs Not Used: Martin, Hyypia.
Goals: Alonso 62, Kewell 90 pen.
Charlton: Randolph, Young, Bougherra, Hreidarsson, Thatcher, Ambrose (Hughes 52), Holland, Song Billong, Zheng (Marcus Bent 90), Sam (Hasselbaink 82), Darren Bent.
Subs Not Used: Elliot, Fortune.
Goals: Holland 2, Darren Bent 72.
Att: 43,134
Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
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Interview: Charlton boss Alan Pardew
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