"All of these were factors" - Pundit highlights key reasons for Liverpool's failure to win the Premier League title
Pundit Garth Crooks has shared his thoughts on why Liverpool were unable to sustain their Premier League title challenge this season. He pointed out some key departures and Jurgen Klopp's exit announcement as some of the factors for the Reds' inability to win the title.
The Merseysiders saw some key players like Jordan Henderson and James Milner leave the club last summer, among others. Moreover, Klopp announced in January earlier this year that he would be leaving at the end of the season. While it appeared the announcement had rejuvenated the side initially, they fell off in the final stretch.
Liverpool finished third in the Premier League behind Manchester City and Arsenal. After the final matchday of the English top-flight (May 19), Garth Crooks announced his team of the season. He picked only Virgil van Dijk from the Reds, writing in his column (via Caught Offside):
“To have selected only one Liverpool player for my team says it all really. Liverpool have not only let the title slip from their grasp, they have shown signs that the pressure was starting to get to them.
“The departure of James Milner and Jordan Henderson cannot be quantified, but it was left to Virgil van Dijk to hold it all together. Gone are the days when the team used to pick itself. Neither can we be sure what impact the timing of Jurgen Klopp’s announcement, that he was leaving Anfield at the end of the season, had on the players."
He added:
“All of these were factors of Liverpool’s title failure, but they are back in the Champions League – and who can forget that heroic performance by Van Dijk in the League Cup final against Chelsea?”
The Merseysiders ended their campaign with just a Carabao Cup, having beaten Chelsea in the final.
Liverpool bid farewell to Jurgen Klopp with a win over Wolves
The Reds hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final game of the season on Sunday, May 19. It started well for them after Nelson Semedo was sent off in the 28th minute for a poor tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.
The Argentine then scored Liverpool's opening goal in the 34th minute before Jarell Amorin Quansah made it 2-0 in the 40th minute. They had some good chances to add to the scoring but failed to do so. The Merseysiders finished third, nine points behind leaders Manchester City and seven behind Arsenal.
The Merseysiders bid farewell to Jurgen Klopp after an illustrious nine-year stint and also to his entire coaching staff. Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will also leave the club upon the expiration of their contracts in June. Arne Slot will take over as the club's manager in the summer.