The Good
What else but the team successfully qualifying for the Champions League. I have to say, I've been skeptical at times, but the boys have done a great job in making me eat humble pie. And never have I been happier to be wrong and to gorge away my doubting self.
The 3-0 win against relegated Middlesbrough was sufficient to give Liverpool the coveted fourth spot ahead of Arsenal who's 3-1 victory over Everton was not enough to place them ahead of the Reds.
Wearing the new home kit - a throw back to more successful times - Jürgen Klopp's men proved they can perform under pressure and against teams with nothing more to lose except sweat. Indeed, the hosts struggled to find the net and news coming in that Arsenal had taken the lead in their game only made the tension grow.
Gini Wijnaldum calmed everybody's nerves on 44 minutes with an attemp to break the Middlesbrough goal net, but only succeeded in putting the hosts ahead. A welcome effort in the light of news trickling through of Arsenal extending their lead. News no longer brought by pocket-seized radios pressed to the ear but by vibrating smart phones in between Tweets and texts from the Mrs. asking you to get this and that on the way home. Old-styled kit... New tech!
Second half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana put paid to any thoughts of Liverpool succumbing to their Achilles heel of the "lesser team". A 3-0 win, when it mattered. What more can one ask for?
The Not Bad
So that's it then. Uefa Champions League footy assured. Well, barring the qualifiers which hopefully the team will be able to navigate successfully. Who deserves the credit? It has to be Jürgen Klopp.
I among many, have been critical of the Liverpool boss over the course of the season. In the main for his handling of the Mamadou Sakho situation. And his reluctance to rough it up when required which, almost came back to haunt him. Thankfully, the creaking, leaking defence has held out. However, I do have enough faith in Klopp to think he will remedy the situation in time for next season.
Runours abound as to who he'll bring in but Virgil van Dijk seems the obvious and most needed choice. I hope he performs better than the last defender we got from the feeder club on the south coast. Whoever it is, he needs to be the finished article. A proven player. That done, we'll see a stronger defence next season.
So criticism aside. Credit where credit is due and Klopp certainly does deserve it. Liverpool with 76 points, are 16 better off than they were this time last year and a hefty four places higher in the league. Progress indeed. So, Jürgen Norbert Klopp, I salute you. Hats off and well done. Truly, not bad.
The Smugly
Smug, defined: acting in a way that shows excessive satisfaction or pride in oneself. True! For when I compare myself and Liverpool to those at the other end of the East Lancs Road. I cannot help but be so.
"Manyoo" have finished in a lowly sixth and really worthy of it. There spend has increased year-on-year for the past four seasons and their return has progressively gone in the other direction. For now, all Liverpool fans should savor this time. Milk it. "Give it" big time to all your Manyoo "fan" mates who have gloated for so many years. For now the shoe is on the other foot. And it fits just nicely! Perhaps a sign of the times? Will it continue? Who's to say.
There's no telling with Liverpool, though. Rumours abound of a potential sale whilst the owners John W. Henry and company at Fenway Sports Group have often been accused of showing less interest than many would like.
All told, it's time to forget about the money men. For me, so long as they put money into the team, they'll have my vote. Even the new kit looks really smart. A must for the retro and modernist fan alike. The progress continues under Klopp. For this, we can afford to be smug.
Like the rest of football, I'll be wading through the papers, listening to all the radio stations and catching all the gossip like Captain Jack Sparrow after another bottle of rum. I'm intrigued to see who will come in to bolster the ranks. Watch this space.
Follow Ben on Twitter @MrBengreen
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