Sunday 21 May 2017 19:55, UK
Liverpool are back in the Champions League after securing fourth place under Jurgen Klopp.
Read our review of the club's 2016/17 Premier League season with expert analysis.
Finishing position: 4th (+4)
Total points: 76 (+16)
FA Cup: Fourth round
EFL Cup: Semi-finals
Top scorer: Philippe Coutinho (13), Sadio Mane (13)
Season review
Jurgen Klopp's first full season in charge began spectacularly with a 4-3 away win over Arsenal. That Liverpool then followed that result with a 2-0 defeat to Burnley was an indication of what was to come - strong results against rivals mixed with disappointing performances against the so-called lesser lights.
For example, Liverpool's next Premier League defeat came at Bournemouth where they surrendered a two-goal lead with 15 minutes remaining. The good news was that it did not come until December and when the Reds finished that month with victory over Manchester City they were four points clear of third and seemingly Chelsea's only title rivals.
But surprise cup exits followed while Premier League losses against Swansea, Hull and Crystal Palace threatened to scupper the season entirely. Fortunately, Klopp's men found their form after that - Emre Can scoring a wonder goal at Watford - and Liverpool scored seven without reply in their final two matches to secure Champions League football for the first time under the German.
EXPERT ANALYSIS - PHIL THOMPSON
Managerial review
To finish in the top four he has done very well and he'll be happy, especially going from seventh to pushing for the title at one point. However, on the flip side of that, to have not finished in the top four would have made it a poor season from the high of New Year's Eve. But without much net spend he's done an excellent job, so I'm really looking forward to the summer.
Without much net spend he's done an excellent job, so I'm really looking forward to the summer.
Player of the year: Adam Lallana
I think there's a bit of a toss-up here. The club's and players' player was Sadio Mane, but it's a three-way split for me between Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana. I'm leaning towards Lallana as he's probably been the most consistent. They've all had really good spells though.
2017/18 prospects
The targets are a centre-back, left-back and a more controlling midfield player. I think next season, with the right acquisitions, we'll have ambitions of winning the title, the same as the rest of the top six. It will be difficult, especially with European football, so it will certainly be interesting, but they should be able to compete. In terms of Champions League hopes, I would think, because we haven't been consistently in the competitions, quarter-finals would be the right target.
