Rush The Kop
Fansided

Four losses that define Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool era so far

By Chris Stonadge

KIEV, UKRAINE - MAY 26: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Virgil van Dijk of Leicester City FC during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
KIEV, UKRAINE - MAY 26: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Virgil van Dijk of Leicester City FC during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Liverpool, Alisson
Liverpool, Alisson (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

97 points and 11 millimetres

2018/19. The season in which Liverpool achieved so much yet, before June 1st, so little.

Of course, we mentioned in the previous section Liverpool’s victory at the Wanda Metropolitano which saw the sixth European Cup held aloft.

But if that trophy had been lifted by Hugo Lloris, Liverpool’s season would have been one of agony.

The league was a canter – or would’ve been in any other season.

97 points accumulated. 30 wins. Seven draws. One agonising loss.

A trip to the Etihad isn’t easy for anyone – Liverpool have only won once there since 2013. And that was a triumphant 4-1 win in Jurgen Klopp’s first season, with Roberto Firmino, Phillippe Coutinho, Martin Skrtel and an Eliaquim Mangala own goal giving Liverpool three points.

But this game in particular was a clash of the title chasing titans. The fact of the matter is, Liverpool would’ve won the league if they had even drew with City and all other results went the same way.

Liverpool very nearly took the lead after Sadio Mane hit the post, and a following messed up clearance from Ederson was hooked from the line by John Stones. It was later shown that Liverpool were just 11 millimetres away from taking the lead.

City struck first before half-time, with Sergio Aguero firing home at the near-post after some questionable defending from, you guessed it, Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool levelled with a gorgeous team goal . A beautiful crossfield ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold found his full-back partner Andy Robertson. A cushioned cross from the Scot found Roberto Firmino, and Liverpool were back on terms.

Gérard Houllier’s 40 Liverpool signings ranked and rated – who’s the worst?. dark. Next

Leroy Sane would eventually score the winner with a tremendous finish, and City would win the league for the second consecutive year.

Much akin to Kiev, this experience gave Liverpool the taste of defeat. But instead of moaning, they bucked up their spirits and bettered their points total this season, bringing home the Premier League trophy for their first top division title in 30 years.