There was a time when Liverpool had the opportunity to achieve a quadruple this season. However, within just two weeks, Liverpool fans realized it was nothing more than a fleeting dream.
Three months ago, manager Jurgen Klopp unexpectedly announced that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, leaving the football community surprised. At that time, supporters were particularly taken aback as Klopp had been instrumental in the team’s resurgence. After a lackluster season, Liverpool had made a strong comeback this year, aiming for multiple major titles. They had already won the League Cup in February.
However, their weaknesses, particularly in terms of physical fitness, were exposed in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United a month ago. Klopp’s intense pressing philosophy had pushed his players to their limits, resulting in numerous injuries. Throughout the season, Liverpool suffered from frequent lineup disruptions due to injuries.
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle also faced similar injury struggles. However, none of them experienced the same level of decline in all four competitions as Liverpool did. In the span of a month, Liverpool’s form plummeted dramatically. They drew with Manchester United, suffered a heavy defeat against Atalanta, and then lost to Crystal Palace in a frustrating match.
This relentless decline reminded Liverpool fans of Klopp’s heartfelt statement from a year ago. In the midst of a severe crisis, he declared, “I will leave the team when I realize that I am the problem preventing Liverpool from progressing further.” And now Klopp’s words seemed to hold true.
Klopp’s energy had propelled Liverpool beyond the limitations of financial resources. But he couldn’t sustain it indefinitely. With exits from the FA Cup and Europa League, Liverpool only had the Premier League left to focus on.
The goal of winning the league title was still within reach as they were only two points behind Manchester City. However, more importantly, Liverpool needed to secure their position in the top four to secure a spot in the next season’s Champions League. For a team that struggles financially every season like Liverpool, qualifying for the Champions League consistently holds more value than a single league title.