Liverpool's top four hopes bit the dust with Saturday's draw against Aston Villa at Anfield, and the recriminations are continuing to be felt.
With Jurgen Klopp's side now being forced to look towards Europe's secondary competition, the Europa League, next term, questions will be asked about their ability to strengthen the squad this summer - and whether they're in danger of being usurped for principal targets.
One of those targets is Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister, who has enjoyed a phenomenal season on the south coast and is wanted by Klopp as he looks to rebuild his cop midfield. But unable to offer him Champions League football, could the Argentina international be lost to a rival with a seat at Europe's top table? Mirror Football takes a look at the latest news from Merseyside...
Mac Allister bid in danger of hijacking
Liverpool face a fight to sign Brighton's £60million-rated midfielder Mac Allister this summer - with Manchester City looking to swoop for the World Cup winner.
City are preparing for the exits of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva this summer, following a fifth Premier League crown in six seasons, with the German out of contract and the Portuguese keen to leave the Etihad for Spain.
And Mirror Football understands that Pep Guardiola has earmarked Mac Allister, who Jurgen Klopp wants for his midfield, to make the move to the Etihad.
Anger at Anfield
Liverpool were left furious by decisions referee John Brooks and VAR Nick Greenhalgh made during the weekend draw with Aston Villa, subsequently writing to referees' body the PGMOL to ask them for an explanation for two mistakes in particular.
The massively contentious decisions have been widely criticised since and had huge implications for the Reds, all but killing their hopes of a top four finish.
The officials’ bizarre decisions in the match came on a contentious afternoon with Klopp banned, and sat in the stand, after a series of run-ins with referees over recent weeks.
Neville and Carragher agree on Player of the Year
Gary Neville and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher have selected their Premier League Player of the Year: Little surprise, the answer for both was Erling Haaland.
Speaking about Manchester City's goal machine, former Kop captain Carragher said: It’s like Messi and Ronaldo isn’t it in terms of that goal a game. And I was thinking about before Haaland, Man City had maybe the best striker in Premier League history in terms of out-and-out goalscorer - his minutes per goal were probably top of the list anyway - in Sergio Aguero.
“So how does Haaland score that many more goals than Aguero? When it’s a similar sort of team and same manager? So that just shows he’s an absolute freak, he’s a special player and I think these records are going to continue to be broke.”
