The dust was barely beginning to settle on a hugely disappointing night in Paris back in May when Jurgen Klopp addressed the gathered press deep inside the bowels of the Stade de France.
“I told the boys in the dressing room I feel the pride already,” said the Liverpool boss. “They played an outstanding season, the two competitions we couldn’t win we didn’t win due to the smallest possible margin.
“The difference between 2018 and now is I see us coming again, in 2018 I wished it but didn’t expect it. These boys are really competitive, an incredible attitude, fantastic group and we will go again.”
READ MORE: Liverpool make mockery of Man City transfer stance after Marc Cucurella u-turn
READ MORE: FSG complaints can't hide £240m truth about Liverpool owners
The new season, though, was perhaps the last thing on the minds of the Reds players after a remarkable campaign ended in the double disappointment of missing out on the Premier League title by a point to Manchester City and then losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
So near, yet so far in the quest for an unprecedented quadruple having already claimed the domestic double of League and FA Cups.
But then, less than 24 hours after the dismay of events both on and off the field in the French capital, came the parade back in Liverpool. And what the squad initially feared could be an embarrassment instead became a reaffirmation of the incredible job they had done.
The question for Klopp, however, remains the same: how do Liverpool improve on near perfection?
As is often the case with the Reds, history provides a clue. Although in this instance, they don’t have to gaze back too far.
When Klopp’s side last lost a Champions League final in 2018 – also against Real Madrid – they won the competition the following season. And having been pipped by a solitary point to the Premier League crown by City in 2019, they romped home to a first title in 30 years the next campaign.
While Liverpool know it can be done, this time won't be easy. Not least with Klopp overseeing a transitional period towards what supporters hope will be the second great side of his Anfield tenure.
The impact of the loss of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich cannot be overstated, the Senegalese having been Klopp’s first major signing and arguably the catalyst – certainly in terms of the forward line – of what was to follow as the Reds swept the board by winning every major honour available to them during his six-year stay.
Mane's replacement, £64million man Darwin Nunez, represents not only a change of personnel but a first real shift in attacking approach during the Klopp era, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino having also left. Hardly a complete overhaul, but different enough to be regarded as something of a step into the unknown.
Of course, at 23 the Uruguayan is for the future as much as the present. So too Fabio Carvalho, the 19-year-old summer signing from Fulham who has impressed during pre-season. Throw a revitalised Harvey Elliott, an improving Ibrahima Konate and maturing Curtis Jones into the mix, and there’s the potential for a youthful streak throughout the team. Scottish right-back Calvin Ramsay, another new teenage arrival, will be eased into the fray.
The more experienced players, however, will again be pivotal. Mohamed Salah’s new contract has banished any lingering doubts over his Anfield commitment with the Egyptian intent on cementing his Liverpool legacy, while Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold will expect big seasons.
As ever, finding the right combination in midfield is the question for Klopp, with Thiago Alcantara having grown in influence last term. Klopp has long insisted he has sufficient options in the engine room, even if some fans maintain otherwise. Such reinforcement will come next summer as the transition gathers momentum.
The mid-season pause for the World Cup means Liverpool will have to hit the ground running in a title race where Manchester City will be favourites and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal have all improved, with Chelsea now poised to follow suit. Clearly, the Reds cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
The return of supporters, having been shut out for almost all of the previous campaign due to coronavirus restrictions, provided a welcome shot in the arm and played a part in the Reds losing just four of their 63 games played last season. They will be needed once again.
Off the field, progress continues apace on the Anfield Road End redevelopment with construction on track to be complete for the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
But it’s the new look on the field that will be of greater immediate concern. Klopp’s next era starts here.
READ NEXT:
-
Darwin Nunez gives Jurgen Klopp dilemma as injuries force Liverpool's hand
-
Why Mikel Arteta caused 'chaos' on Arsenal training ground by playing Liverpool anthem
-
'Told you' - Former Darwin Nunez team-mate proved right after Liverpool Community Shield win
-
Roberto Firmino situation inevitable but message clear after breaking silence on Liverpool future
-
'Not ready' - Marco Silva makes major Fulham admission ahead of Liverpool clash
