When Liverpool drew with Aston Villa last weekend, Jurgen Klopp conceded that his team would not be playing in the Champions League. At the same time, Manchester United defeated Bournemouth and earned critical three points.
Although Liverpool was able to gain momentum despite a few dismal results, Erik ten Hag’s team was thought to be a lock to finish in the top four in January.
Liverpool was only one point behind Aston Villa before last weekend, but they could only draw with them at home.
In his last news conference of the season, Klopp stated that Casemiro’s well-taken goal against Bournemouth was the moment he realised Liverpool had lost the race, even if it wasn’t yet official.
Even I realised after [the Aston Villa game] that we don’t have Champions League, Klopp stated. “I outlined it with a line. Although I am optimistic, I couldn’t see it at the time.
“We’ve known for a while that this season wouldn’t be historic. We’ve accumulated a respectable number of points since Dubai following the World Cup. That would be a good season if we could maintain it.
“We didn’t want this season,” I firmly believe that this is not a season that will be remembered, and while we did provide some enjoyable moments, we could have provided more. This little thing [the Europa League], which is obviously a major one, is the biggest letdown.
If we had placed fourth, the season would have been typical. Not spectacular, but competent. You occasionally have to accept it. I’ve been here for seven and a half years, but progress is not always made, and there are occasionally setbacks.
Although I’ve been here for a while, you need to reinvent yourself.