An era has come to an end.
The great manager who resurrected the fallen Red Empire and returned it to the top of the European stage is stepping down.
In Jürgen Klopp's final season, Liverpool capped it off with a League Cup victory, ending on a high note.
Before the season started, Liverpool underwent significant changes.
There were major concerns as the midfield duo of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who had anchored the team for the past five years, transferred to the Saudi League.
Their exceptional skills and the chemistry they built over time left a gap that was uncertain if it could be filled.
In the end, things worked out well.
They brought in Alexis Mac Allister, Brighton's first World Cup winner and the linchpin of Argentina's midfield, at a bargain price.
They also strengthened the midfield by acquiring Dominik Szoboszlai from the renowned Salzburg youth academy, Wataru Endo from the Japanese national team, and Ryan Gravenberch, often referred to as the Dutch Pogba.
The season also saw impressive debuts and growth from youth players.
Jarell Quansah in center back and Conor Bradley in right-back were particularly notable.
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, although the second choice, provided solid performances when called upon, and Joe Gomez, who had been showing inconsistent growth, returned as a reliable squad member.
Overall, the season was full of ups and downs.
At the beginning of the season, new signings Szoboszlai and Mac Allister exceeded expectations, making fans quickly forget about the departures of Henderson and Fabinho.
Both players had extensive ranges of activity that fit well with Klopp's Liverpool.
Mac Allister, capable of carrying the ball from deep positions, and Szoboszlai, showing creativity higher up the pitch, formed an ideal combination, demonstrated by Liverpool's early winning streak.
However, a blemish on the season was getting held by underdogs in the Europa League.
This happened despite fielding a nearly full rotation lineup, and it didn't impact their progression to the next round, as it was in the group stages.
Midway through the season, Liverpool began to waver.
Mohamed Salah, the Pharaoh of Anfield, was called up for the Africa Cup of Nations, creating a void.
The midfield duo, who had been leading the team well early in the season, began missing games due to injuries.
Wataru Endo, seizing the opportunity, showed stability and promise, but he too was called up for the Asian Cup with the Japanese national team, creating another gap.
Although the team managed to hold on and maintain their performance, Liverpool fans likely felt uneasy and unsatisfied.
Other attacking options, like Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Díaz, showed inconsistency, particularly in finishing.
In midfield, Gravenberch also displayed inconsistency, often leaving fans unsure of his impact.
To make matters worse, Salah got injured in the Africa Cup of Nations and struggled with form upon his return.
Despite achieving a 10-10 season in goals and assists,
fans who watched the games would understand the ups and downs he experienced.
Adding to the woes, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was supposed to anchor the defense, also got injured.
Fortunately, youth product Caoimhin Kelleher stepped up and provided unexpected stability, despite not being as solid as Alisson, especially in build-up play.
However, he made crucial saves that helped Liverpool stay afloat.
Trouble seemed to come all at once for Liverpool.
Amid navigating through these crises, another issue arose with Klopp.
The tight schedule and the frequent injuries to key players made squad management difficult, leading to some puzzling decisions.
For instance, in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Prague, after a 5-1 victory in the first leg, Liverpool fielded a full-strength squad despite the upcoming crucial FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
Given the advantageous position, it was a questionable choice, considering the importance of the next match.
The result was a fatigued starting eleven that couldn't avoid defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Despite the challenges, it wasn't a bad season.
Ultimately, Liverpool won the League Cup against Chelsea, and that too with almost a second-string squad.
Although they failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, this season they fiercely competed for the title with Arsenal and Manchester City, finishing in third place.
The new signings found their place, and the performances of youth players were very promising.
Now, Liverpool enters a new era.
Arne Slot, who led Feyenoord, will take over Klopp's legacy and guide the team in the EPL.
Personally, I enjoyed watching Klopp's football, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Danke!
