Season Review: A success but now the hard work begins - by Jason Harris

The last 38 games has been one hell of a rollercoaster, full of twists and turns, highs and lows and 'will we or won't we' moments. At the conclusion of it all, it is very nice to say that Liverpool is a top four club once again. 

The season in a nutshell can be broken down into three sections. The first half of the season where the team played exhilarating Football that raised hopes that the club could raise the Premier League trophy for the first time. 
 
Following that high came the earth shattering lows which occurred during January and February when the club lost all sense of confidence and at times looked defeated the moment they took to the pitch. 
 
The final three months was all about grit and determination. There was not an awful lot of aesthetically pleasing football, but more about grinding out results and securing the pre season goal of a return to the top four. 
 
In typical Liverpool style, it was not done in simple fashion, with the side dragging it out to the last game to seal their spot in top four. After all that went before, it was pleasing to see the team achieve the feat under pressure from Arsenal as we have succumbed under adversity many times in the past. 
 
Over time there has been an interesting debate about what constitutes a successful season. Winning a FA or League Cup may warm the hearts of some supporters, but performing well in the league should always be the main aim. 
 
Finishing fourth is certainly not a position where you bring out the streamers and party poppers, but for the Reds it is a sign of growth especially as it has been achieved just once in the previous seven years. 
The squad as it currently stands still remains a work in progress. As the season progressed and the injuries mounted up, the depth issues became much more noticeable. This needs to be rectified especially if we want to be true title contenders. Champion teams do not have the kind of lingering dip that we suffered at the start of 2017. 
 
The transfer dealings of the club have been something of a mixed bag over the last five years but this summer window gives Jurgen Klopp a real chance to put his own stamp on the squad and mould the team into his own image. 
 
He started that process last year and encouragingly we saw two players in Sadio Mane' and Joel Matip perform to a consistently high standard. 
 
While he had an expensive pricetag, Mane lived up to it in spades, along the way striking up a great partnership with Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, and arguably turning into our most important player. This was highlighted by the major downturn in form when he was away playing for Senegal in the African Cup of Nations in January. At 25 he is at the perfect age that the manager can look to build around. 
 
The same applies for Matip whose absences through injury were also heavily felt by the team. The sense of calmness he brought to the back four was a much needed element, as the defence has lacked confidence for a long period of time. Fingers crossed he can stay fit next season. 
 
The captaincy of the team may not be Klopp's biggest issue over the next few months, it wouldn't be a bad thing if it was discussed at some length. 
 
Injuries have seen Jordan Henderson play in just 41 of a possible 76 league games in the last two seasons. It is a shame that he missed a fair chunk of this season as it seemed like we were just beginning to see the best of the 26 year-old in a more defensive role. 
 
A positive of the long absence of Henderson has been the emergence of Emre Can as a player who it must be said has been one of the Reds most consistent players in the second half of the season. 
 
After being shifted around the park by Brendan Rodgers, Can is a much more settled player under Klopp. He also carries a high level of self-confidence, which all good leaders have. There is also a bit to play out over the next few months especially in regards to the 23 year-old hopefully signing a new deal at the club. 
 
It surely wouldn't harm the dialogue if the club put the issue of leadership on the table, perhaps by elevating him to a vice captain role with a eye to promoting him further in the future. James Milner currently holds that role but it remains to be seen which position (if any) he will hold in the starting XI next season. 
 
There will also be a fair few departures. By all intentions it looks like Lucas will be leaving after 10 years. The performance of the Brazilian over that period of time has certainly split opinion, but one thing is certain you can't question his dedication for the club. 
 
The likes of Mamadou Sahko, Alberto Moreno and possibly Daniel Sturridge could be joining him at the exit door. It remains one of the biggest disappointments in recent years that Sakho did not go on to have a great career at the club, but his conduct let him down and for that he has himself to blame. 
 
A great deal of improvement has been achieved but there is so much still to be done. We have put the platform in place and now it is time to progress from this point. Taking a step backwards or standing still is simply not an option.
 

Jason Harris

@JayHarry80