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Liverpool can savour Man United moment but Jurgen Klopp can’t escape European blow
With only one match remaining in the 2022/23 season, it’s safe to say Liverpool’s campaign has not played out in the way may had expected.
On the back of a quadruple-chasing campaign, the Reds have fallen short in each competition and will be without Champions League football for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Attempting to explain just where things have gone wrong for Jurgen Klopp’s side is no simple task, with a multitude of reasons ranging from injuries to lack of squad investment playing a role. But Liverpool can end 2022/23 on a high on Sunday should they win away at Southampton.
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Looking ahead to this weekend’s season finale, four Reds supporters have shared their views as part of the weekly ECHO fan column.
Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) – Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United a clear season standout
This season won’t exactly be one for the club’s history books, but what we will remember are some of the unforgettable moments it’s offered up. In the wider, bleaker landscape of football at the moment, perhaps that’s something to hold onto as certain state-funded teams make a sterile mockery of the league.
Some of my cherished memories will be witnessing that 7-0 thumping over Manchester United at Anfield, Diogo Jota putting an instant end to Spurs’ late party and some imperious European performances such as the 3-0 victory at Ajax, which proved an away trip for the ages.
I’m excited and optimistic for what the summer brings by the way of new signings and I hope our resurgent squad will take a deserved break to come back fresh and hit the ground running next season! Up the mighty Reds.
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) – This season has been a failure but we can challenge again next year
As the season draws to an end, it’s difficult to escape the conclusion that Liverpool’s season has been a failure. Champions League qualification is a bare minimum for a team of this quality. On a positive note, our recent run of seven consecutive wins and one draw is more in keeping with our great form of the recent past under Klopp.
This is a special club and, if that was ever in doubt, it was evident to Anfield on Saturday when we all gave a proper send-off to departing heroes such as Milner and Firmino.
There are clear parallels with seasons gone by as we look ahead to the new campaign: we had a great season after the struggles in the Covid season and Liverpool had a magnificent season in 2018/19 after major squad investments in the summer of 2018. If Liverpool acquire the right players this summer, who among us would bet against them for the title next season. I can think of 115 good reasons why we can topple City next season.
David Shams (Washington D.C., @ShamsWriter) – Istanbul remains unforgettable 18 years on
Being a football fan in rural Kentucky’s bourbon country was never easy. Access to matches was at best sporadic. My brother and I recorded every match we could, watching them countless times. As you could imagine, fandom was a luxury. Eighteen years ago, that all changed.
I was in hospital, laid up with some unknown malady and doctors poking and prodding trying to suss out what was wrong with me. One afternoon as I rested between scans and visits from the various specialists, the 2005 Champions League final came on. ‘I’m watching this’, I insisted after push back from my mum and nurse.
We all know what happened next: one of the greatest miracles in sports. My own recovery started later that evening and the following morning. I was able to sit up for the first time in days and turn my head to either side without inducing a migraine. It was a sign. I became a Red that day.
Whatever you want to call it, the result was clear. I’d found the team I’d support and there’s never been an ounce of regret since. This season’s ups and downs have only made my love stronger.
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) – Reasons for optimism remain as season finale approaches
As it was always likely to, Saturday felt significant. Not necessarily in all the ways we’d have wanted. A draw wasn’t the result we were after, although it has helped us secure at least fifth place ahead of the final day.
Either way, given where we were just a few weeks ago, our current position reflects well on recent work. There ought to be plenty of helpful lessons that can be taken from 2022/23.
The farewells given to Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta were genuinely heartwarming. How fitting it was that Firmino popped up with that typically skilful equaliser from a lovely Mohamed Salah delivery. How many brilliant moments have those two contributed to over the years?
As has been the case throughout the campaign, the action was accompanied by the sight of the new Anfield Road stand taking shape. Getting upwards of 60,000 into the ground from August is an exciting prospect.
Rounding off this season with victory at Southampton on Sunday would add to the belief that we’re building upwards, in several senses, as we head into 2023/24.
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