As we get closer and closer to Jurgen Klopp's curtain call, this final international break gives us probably the final time to reflect on what's been an entertaining season.
One of the most interesting things that I've come across, especially when engaging in discourse with fellow Liverpool fans, is what they would consider the bare minimum for a successful season.
Obviously, if we were to lift the league title in May, I doubt anyone would label the campaign anything but excellent. However, what if we didn't? What if we were to come up short to either Manchester City or Arsenal? It's certainly not great to think about, but, ultimately, a legitimate possibility.
Success, of course, is relative to one's expectation. If I was to go back to what I would deem a good year last summer, that would've been getting back into the Champions League places and winning at least one trophy.
It's safe to say that this is practically 99% achieved at this point of the season, with the League Cup already won and Liverpool being tied for first in the Premier League.
As with anything of course, expectations and stances can change on a dime, and I honestly didn't expect the Reds to display this level of dominance throughout the season, which is a level that is close to our best seasons under Klopp in 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Surely given how good the team has looked throughout the campaign, a season wherein we finish in the UCL places along with a League Cup win is underwhelming?
Probably so, and it speaks to the fluidity of Klopp's system that we managed to import an entire new midfield, and still look just as dangerous with a lot of these new pieces acclimatizing to a new manager and tactical approach.
The fact that Klopp announced his departure at the end of this season, adds a slight element of urgency in ending this season in the best manner possible.
While fans would've initially been content with significant progress on the development front, as Liverpool 2.0 gets established, the stakes have understandably been raised as we look to give Jurgen a deserving send off.
All things considered, with the benefit of witnessing this Liverpool squad play through 3/4's of the season, what can be considered a successful season for our Reds?
In my opinion, winning either the Premier League or adding the Europa League to the League Cup this year would be satisfactory.
In what was supposedly a transitional year, I feel that the Reds have already exceeded expectations in terms of cohesion and performance levels. However, I believe I speak for all Liverpool fans that we want the maximum amount of fanfare alongside Klopp's farewell. Let's go for all three!