Liverpool fans on Sunday got a chance to greet their players after what has been an intense and largely satisfying season.
Jurgen Klopp's team met their fans during an open-top bus parade through the streets of Liverpool, a day after suffering a heart-breaking defeat in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
The title clash at the Stade de France was a forgettable one for Liverpool fans inside and outside the stadium. The final was delayed after organisers struggled to control the crowd that had lined up to enter the venue, with allegations of fake tickets and unruly crowd ultimately delaying the start of the match.
Liverpool said entry issues at the Stade de France and breakdown of the security perimeter were “disappointing”, even as French authorities and Uefa blamed supporters without tickets or with fakes for the delays.
Despite the unfortunate build-up and disappointing end to the final in Paris, Liverpool supporters can enjoy the League Cup and FA Cup wins, while also being proud of their challenge in the Premier League title race.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admits another Champions League defeat to Real Madrid was difficult to process. In 2018 in Kiev, Klopp's side were beaten 3-1 but went on to win a sixth European Cup 12 months later with victory over Tottenham and followed that up the next year with a first league title in 30 years.
So Henderson hopes the 1-0 defeat at the Stade de France can be a catalyst for something better next year.
"It's still difficult now to process everything with how the game went in the end. It's hard to speak about it," said the 31-year-old.
"I felt as though we had three or four good chances and the keeper [Thibaut Courtois] made world-class saves.
"Hopefully we can have a good break now and then use that to process this season and everything that's happened and use it to go again next season when we come back.
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Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, May 29, 2022. Reuters -
Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final. Getty -
Luka Modric kisses the trophy. Getty -
Marcelo lifts the trophy for Real Madrid. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring the only goal of the Champions League final against Liverpool. AP -
Real Madrid players celebrate after their victory in Paris. Getty -
Dejected Liverpool player Fabinho after the match. AP -
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrates after the match. Getty -
Dejected Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid players celebrate after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois celebrates winning the Champions League. Reuters -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves from Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah in the second half. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores the opening goal. PA -
Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid late in the first half but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. PA -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah fires a shot past Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. AFP -
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is shown a yellow card. AP -
A first-half shot from Liverpool's Sadio Mane beats Real keeper Thibaut Courtois but hits the post. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with teammates after scoring. PA -
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane sees his shot hit the post. Getty -
Vinicius Junior scores for Real Madrid. EPA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois catches a cross. AP -
Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid. Getty -
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines. EPA -
Liverpool's Luis Diaz shoots at goal. Getty -
Real attacker Karim Benzema scores but the goal was disallowed. Getty -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sees a shot saved in the first half by Real goakeeper Thibaut Courtois. Getty -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save from Mohamed Salah. Reuters -
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold goes to cross the ball. Getty -
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. AFP -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois screams at his defence after Liverpool hit the post in the first half. PA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois under pressure from Liverpool's Jordan Henderson. EPA -
Liverpool's Sadio Mane reacts to a challenge from Real midfielder Casemiro. EPA
