Sunday 15 May 2016 14:36, UK
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp still rues dropped points which have cost his side the chance of a top-four challenge, but is full of optimism for the future after enjoying a memorable first few months at Anfield.
Despite being forced to manage a lenthy injury list, Klopp has guided the club to two finals since taking over from Brendan Rodgers in mid-October, runs which have undoubtedly had an impact on Liverpool's league form.
They fell short in the Capital One Cup final in February, losing on penalties to Manchester City, and the Europa League final against Sevilla on Wednesday will be their 63rd game of the season.
Before that they take on West Brom at the Hawthorns in their final league game of the season with an outside chance of finishing in the top six and Klopp is satisfied with his first seven months in charge.
"I'm not sure it could have gone better in terms of relationships with the players, the club and the fans," he said. "It's been better than I could have imagined but we could have had more points.
"When you see how close the table is (Liverpool are six points behind fourth-placed City) I think about dropped points and where we would be with three or four more points.
"It could be better but it's okay. We will go to the final and see where it ends. We haven't had the chance this year to be champions of the league.
"We could have had a chance of top four but because of the number of games and the injuries we couldn't get enough points.
"If you cannot be one of the best four teams, you still have to develop and that's what we did.
"We have to use each experience from this year for next year. It's a good atmosphere around Liverpool FC. That makes me optimistic."
