In his latest column, John Aldridge looks back at a difficult season for Liverpool and a farewell for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Farewell, then, to a really poor season for Liverpool. It started well enough, but then just drifted and it never really went back on any sort of consistent course.
Everyone is no doubt still bewildered how matters could change so dramatically from last year when the Premier League title was won in dominant fashion.
This has been a three out of 10 season. And let me tell you, if Champions League qualification had not been secured then it would have been a big fat zero.
Arne Slot can blame injuries all day long as a reason for the underperformance, but it isn’t just about that. I failed to see the players running through a brick wall for the head coach or the supporters. It just didn’t happened consistently.
Don’t get me wrong, they were trying. In some cases they were probably guilty of trying a bit too much.
But why weren’t they in the faces of the opposition more often? Why weren’t there more times when rivals were being hounded by two or three Liverpool players at a time? It was all very passive and not very entertaining.
That was probably the worst part - that so much of the play wasn’t exciting. And then when you add in losing late goals and leads and everything else, it’s no wonder the fans aren’t happy.
Yes, the injuries didn’t help. There were a ridiculous amount at times. But even with everybody fit, Liverpool weren’t winning the league or even getting close.
The players who came in last summer haven’t had the best of times. The question regarding Florian Wirtz is where he is going to play.
He has the ability 100% and I think he’ll be a success, but when you spend that much money on a signing you have to use him in the position for which he was bought - the number 10 role.
You just can’t comprehend, though, the injuries that have befallen Alexander Isak. He’s basically not been there all season.
Hugo Ekitike was a bonus until the last few weeks before his injury when he went off the boil, and with those two out it’s become obvious Cody Gakpo is more a left winger than a centre forward.
The major positive was the emergence of Rio Ngumoha, although in hindsight it was a big mistake letting Luis Diaz go. He epitomised the spirit that Liverpool have lacked so often this season.
And with Mohamed Salah having inevitably gone past his best and the defence leaking goals, it’s all a recipe for disappointment.
Everything, though, has to be seen through the prism of what happened with Diogo Jota last year.
We should never forget what the players have had to go through in losing their friend and team-mate. I went through the Hillsborough disaster when I was a player at Liverpool, and while two very different events, both were tragic and have left an obvious mark.
Maybe the end-of-season break is what is needed. The players can come back renewed and refreshed with a different mindset. And Diogo wouldn’t want them to dwell on what happened for the sake of the fans and the club, although it’s easy to say that. The hard part is then doing it.
Finally, it was a bit of a mixed bag regards my other clubs. Tranmere Rovers and Newport County stayed in the league and Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey but Oxford United were relegated from the Championship. Enjoy the summer, folks.
Deserved salute for trio
It was fitting both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were given an emotional farewell at Anfield on Sunday. The duo have been outstanding servants in a period of real success for Liverpool.
Salah might not have been at his best during his last season but what he has done with the Reds has been off the scale.
I’ve long said that Robertson reminds me of Joey Jones, who was a real whole-hearted, enthusiastic left-back during his playing days at Liverpool. Robertson has that same kind of spirit.
While it was sad to see them leave, it was probably the right time for them to go. Nothing lasts forever.
And it was also nice that Jordan Henderson was given such a great reception on his first return to Anfield since leaving three years ago. He absolutely deserved it.