It was only 12 months ago that Europa League football seemed unthinkable for Liverpool Football Club.
Preparing for their third European Cup final in the space of five seasons, the Reds were back in their natural habitat of the Champions League and looked unlikely to be leaving it any time soon.
They may have lost against Real Madrid in Paris but with the arrival of Darwin Nunez, a striker who'd scored six times in that season's Champions League and netted 34 goals overall for Benfica, Liverpool's place among Europe's elite looked secure.
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But, as the old saying goes, a year is a long time in football and 12 months on the Reds are gearing up for a season in European football's second tier competition after Manchester United's win over Chelsea on Thursday night saw fifth place confirmed before Liverpool's final day trip to Southampton.
In some ways, fifth represents a respectable finish, considering all that has gone on this term. But a season of injuries and loss of form within Jurgen Klopp's squad has seen Liverpool endure a lamentable campaign as Arsenal, Man United and Newcastle replaced Chelsea, Tottenham and the Reds as the Premier League's top four.
And so it's back to Thursday nights for Liverpool, who will get another crack at a competition they reached the final of in Klopp's first season back in 2016.
Beaten by Sevilla in Basel, that defeat felt like a devastating setback for a Liverpool side which had embarked on a superb European run following the arrival of their new German boss, not to mention having already lost another final that term when Man City triumphed on penalties in the League Cup.
But for all the frustration at missing out on the Champions League - not to mention the riches and allure it offers in return - fans shouldn't turn their noses up at a competition that Liverpool have lifted three times in their history.
For some, a season without European football entirely is preferable to playing Thursday-Sunday in the Europa League pattern. Much of that is based on the myth that teams fare worse when playing Thursday nights, as well as the general lack of TV money compared to that of the Champions League.
But with between £25m-30m on offer for the winner of the Europa League, not an insignificant chunk of money.
It's also worth noting that there are still glamour ties to be played in the competition, with teams in knockout stage of this year's competition including Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax, Roma and Man United. The Reds played Dortmund, Villarreal and United, as well as Roma, Barcelona and Porto on their runs to the final of the competition in 2001 and 2016.
It's also the only major trophy Klopp has yet to lift at Liverpool - and a gorgeous one at that. Who doesn't love it's sleek curves?
But the biggest reason for Liverpool to embrace the Europa, is the potential of a final unlike any other they've played in their history.
Football fans nowadays often get too caught up in wanting what they don't have, whether that be the next title, player or set of owners that promise future glory. But sometimes it's best to enjoy what you have while you have it.
And what Europa League football does for Liverpool immediately is guarantee some more European adventures to a fanbase that adores and embraces them like no other.
It holds the promise of new adventures, days out and good times. And that is what football is really all about.
Sure, a season away from Europe entirely might aid the bank balance, but it'd mean Liverpool potentially miss out on what could be one of the greatest European trips in their history. Should they get there.
Because Liverpool have never played a competitive game in Dublin, Ireland. In fact, they've only ever played two competitive games in the Republic of Ireland full stop.
The Reds have been there recently for pre-season friendlies, and with great success. 51,000 fans watched the Reds beat Napoli 5-0 in 2018, and four years earlier 41,000 watched the Liverpool put four past Shamrock Rovers. Meanwhile, 27,000 fans watched a Liverpool Legends XI take on Republic of Ireland Legends in a benefit march for Sean Cox in 2019.
But with Lansdowne Road, now the Aviva Stadium, set to host the Europa League final on May 22, 2024, Liverpool - who will be one of the strong favourites to reach the final - have a large incentive to get there.
With no fewer that 32 official supporters clubs in the Republic of Ireland alone, the Reds have a strong supporter base there and that is evidence by the thousands who fly in every season to visit Anfield.
And with Dublin just a 135 mile flight from Liverpool John Lennon, you can expect Liverpool supporters to turn the emerald isle red should the Reds make it all the way there. Indeed, they might want to start work on the bridge between Holyhead and Dublin now, such is the amount of cars that will depart for Ireland from Merseyside.
Nobody throws a European party like Liverpool fans, except maybe the Irish.
And with so many shared values and history, a trip to Dublin for Liverpool could be one of the most exciting European finals the club will play in years.
Now all they have to do is get there.
What do you think of the Europa League? Let us know in the comments below.
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