Only Eddie Howe will know if he truly believed Newcastle United could qualify for the Champions League last season.
Appointed as the manager of the Magpies three months into the 2021/22 campaign, Howe dragged the club away from the depths of the division to secure an 11th-placed finish. The January signings of Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier undoubtedly played their part in easing relegation fears, though this was an impressive turnaround nonetheless.
Further additions to the squad last summer, notably Sven Botman and Alexander Isak, continued the theme of Newcastle's new-found pulling power coming to the fore. Liverpool had been linked with both of the aforementioned players in recent times and the pair have proven to be inspired purchases. That trend could again continue as the Geordies close in on the £70m signing of AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, raising the question of how challenging it could prove to ensure Newcastle do not become a side constantly competing at the top of the table.
Only four sides can say they defeated the Toon Army in the Premier League last season, Liverpool the only team to achieve a domestic double over Howe's side, as teams struggled to handle their streetwise approach of frustrating teams. Howe, now seemingly a master of the dark arts, referred to accusations of his team being time-wasters as 'nonsense' when criticised by Erik ten Hag, but the rest of the division have learned the hard way this claim regarding their style of play is anything but a lie.
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Liverpool were one of the first sides to experience the new-look Newcastle last term and were reliant on a 99th-minute Fabio Carvalho winner to secure all three points. This Wednesday evening showdown ended with both benches clashing as tempers boiled over at Anfield, provoked by Newcastle's gamesmanship that saw their team run the clock down at every opportunity and therefore result in nine minutes of additional time.
The visitors learned their lessons from this match and, despite going five games without a win between January and March, held their nerve to claim fourth place. A late surge from Liverpool saw them finish within four points of Newcastle, though the damage had already been done by the Reds during their dismal form during the first half of 2022/23.
Newcastle's chairman believes it is no coincidence they took the league by surprise and are laying down the foundations to become the 'number one' side in the world. How the Magpies handle attempting to mount a similar assault for Europe's elite competition next term while negotiating the demands that come with midweek matches, however, remains to be seen.
Manchester City found themselves on a similar journey to Newcastle over a decade ago, having been the subject of a lucrative takeover with aims of becoming a Premier League powerhouse. After securing their place in the Champions League for the 2011/12 season for the first time, the Sky Blues haven't failed to qualify once since.
For other clubs, things haven't been as simple. Tottenham Hotspur have only appeared in the competition five times since its rebranding from the European Cup to Champions League in 1992. Arsenal secured 19 successive qualifications between 1998 and 2017, only to then go six seasons without it. Liverpool, of course, also shared a similar fate between 2010 and 2014 as they entered a period of stagnation. Jurgen Klopp was able to deliver a fourth-placed finish during his first full campaign at the club and has matched or bettered this achievement in the following years, last season being the exception.
Newcastle have already shown to the teams around them that they are a force to be reckoned with, though next campaign will provide the clearest indication yet as to just how much of a long-term problem they could pose to Liverpool. Howe's side will get a first taste of Champions League football in September, and it's down to the Reds to ensure they don't become regular diners at Europe's top table.
