Liverpool’s 4-4 draw at Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season was a fitting synopsis of a regrettable campaign. After striving for the quadruple last season, they were unable to secure a top-four finish this time around. It has been a polarising 12 months for Jurgen Klopp and his players, but the future is still theirs to mould.
Beyond Anfield, the three teams promoted to the Premier League have all managed to fend off relegation, while two of the three teams relegated to the Championship had been staples of the top flight for the last decade. Leicester City’s relegation was welcomed by many, as their fan base had taken joy in their poverty ballads. Everton defied gravity yet again, while Arsenal set winter records in their role of being Premier League champions-elect, only to hand Man City a third successive league title. All three major domestic honours will reside at the wrong end of the East Lancashire Road.
At St Mary’s, Liverpool initially looked to be on course for a comfortable victory, but then came the madness. They somehow trailed by two goals with less than 20 minutes left to play, conceding four times within 45 minutes of football that bridged the interval. The equaliser came via Bobby losing possession, then falling behind thanks to the midfield failing to get a basic challenge in. Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo scored two goals within 60 seconds or so, but it was Mo Salah and Luis Diaz who provoked the vibe that Jota will more often than not be the odd man out as Liverpool move forward.
This summer, Liverpool will lose James Milner and Roberto Firmino, two figures who have been hugely valuable elements of the team. Milner was often damned whenever selected, but he was the compelling grown-up in the dressing room and a player who led from the front. He was nerveless as the scorer of the first spot-kick during the penalty shootouts in which Liverpool defeated Chelsea in both the 2022 League Cup and FA Cup finals.
As Liverpool look to the horizon, they must embrace Klopp 2.0 and hope for a better season in 2023/24. Up the Reds!