Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that it only took him one day to bounce back from his team's failure to win the quadruple last season.
With the League Cup and FA Cup safely in the bag, Liverpool's form had picked up impressive momentum were closing in on a remarkable quadruple of trophies.
But a double disappointment was on the way when, first up, they were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City on the final day of the campaign, as they finished just one point behind Pep Guardiola's side.
Then, less than a week later, the Merseyside club were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final, when Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced a world-class performance to keep the Reds at bay.
But Klopp, speaking before Liverpool's Community Shield clash with City on Saturday, claims he got over the disappointment within 24 hours.
“It took me a day and then we had a parade in Liverpool and I was fine with everything,” said the German coach.
“We knew, obviously, it was close. When you’re unlucky in moments these kind of things [happen]. It’s sport and we accept the rules.
“One point more is enough after 38 matchdays, and one goal more is enough in a football game. We accept that too, so it didn’t take me long.
Liverpool 2021/22 season ratings
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MANAGER: Jurgen Klopp – 9. A year ago the manager looked a broken man. Personal and professional problems made 2020/21 a difficult campaign. Last season he recovered his bounce and his deployment of the squad while competing on four fronts was superb. The added bonus for the Kop is he has extended his contract until 2026. A triumph of a year, even if the two biggest trophies got away from him. Getty Images -
GOALKEEPERS: Alisson Becker – 9. The Brazilian is among the best in the world at his position. His shotstopping is magnificent – especially one-on-one – and his distribution is excellent. He managed the defence with aplomb, too, directing those in front of him. A key component in the team. EPA -
Caoimhin Kelleher ¬– 7. The Irishman did not get much playing time but he made the most of it when he did. His biggest moment came in the League Cup final against Chelsea when he made two crucial saves and scored a penalty in the shoot-out. The most reliable of backups. PA -
DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8. The 23-year-old was again the creative hub of the team. His forward play and his crossing are vital to the way the side plays. Sure, he had some tricky moments defensively when opponents managed to exploit the space behind him, but it was a risk worth taking. He oozed class. Getty Images -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old dropped down the pecking order at centre-half after returning from long-term injury. On the plus side, he was impressive when filling in at right-back. He has done well enough to likely earn a contract extension. Reuters -
Joel Matip – 8. One of the big question marks over the 30-year-old had been his robustness. Injuries were not a factor last season. His use of space, quickness and his ability to bring the ball out from the back were outstanding. It bodes well for the future. Reuters -
Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman is a work in progress but he made significant advances in the season. He is sometimes skittish on the ball but improved with every outing – his best game was the Champions League final. His physicality is impressive and he was a threat in the opposition box. At just 23 he has massive room for improvement. PA -
Virgil van Dijk – 8. It took a while for the Dutchman to return to his imperious best after returning from a cruciate ligament injury. He regained his stature as the season progressed. His commanding presence was vital to the team’s success. PA -
Andrew Robertson – 8. The Scot’s boundless energy and his will to win were evident in every game he played. His crossing added a huge amount of threat to the Liverpool attack. He was one of the major figures in the side. AP Photo -
Kostas Tsimikas – 7. They love the Greek at Anfield and every time he appeared in place of Robertson the crowd loved his approach. There was very little drop-off on the left side when the 26-year-old was involved. Reuters -
MIDFIELDERS: Jordan Henderson – 7. The captain’s workrate and willingness to subvert his own game to help his teammates remained impressive. He might have slowed down a little at 31 but his experience more than made up for any reduction in pace. His leadership showed throughout the campaign. EPA -
Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian is the man who seizes control of the midfield. His contribution was enormous and he supplied the platform from which the team could play. The defence were frequently grateful for his protective tackling. AP Photo -
Thiago Alcantara – 9. At the beginning of the season some were still asking whether the 31-year-old was the right fit for Liverpool. Those questions have long been put to bed. His passing was often wonderful; his pressing remarkably effective. A standout campaign. EPA -
Naby Keita – 6. The Guinean had moments when he looked brilliant and other games where he needed to offer more. He did not produce the consistency that the team needed over the season but a good finish to the campaign earned him a positive rating. EPA -
James Milner – 7. The 36-year-old did everything asked of him. Much of that meant coming off the bench to help see games to their conclusion but the veteran put everything into every performance. Mr Reliable. AFP -
Curtis Jones – 6. The 21-year-old didn’t develop quite as quickly as he might have hoped but that was due to an eye injury and the strength of the squad. He showed enough quality to be optimistic for the future. EPA -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4. It was not a good season for the 28-year-old. His opportunities were limited and when the chances to play came along he rarely shone. With so many impressive performers, he found himself at the back of the queue and a summer exit seems inevitable. AP Photo -
FORWARDS: Mohamed Salah – 9. The Egyptian remained the best attacker in the Premier League and perhaps the world. Even after taking a month off to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, he won the Golden Boot with 23 league goals. Defences were visibly unnerved by his presence. EPA -
Roberto Firmino – 7. The Brazilian dropped down the pecking order but that was because of the abundance of attacking quality rather than his own failings. He was sometimes overshadowed by his teammates but his clever movement and touches frequently improved the side. AP Photo -
Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese menaced defences. At times his competitive instincts meant he came close to overstepping the mark but he mainly stayed on the right side of the line. He will be sorely missed when he leaves Anfield this summer. Reuters -
Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese maintained his fine form throughout the campaign. His direct running at defenders and his poacher’s instinct in the area proved effective. EPA -
Luis Diaz – 8. The Colombian has been sensational since arriving from Porto in January. He slotted into the attack as if he had been at Anfield for years. A brilliant buy for the club. AFP -
Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian departs Merseyside in a wave of affection. He was never a natural fit for the side’s style but he gave the team a different look and scored vital goals. The striker showed total commitment every time he played. PA -
Takumi Minamino – 6. The Japanese spent most of his time on the bench. He was top scorer in both domestic cup campaigns and never lacked for effort. A move is likely in the summer and he should thrive elsewhere with more playing time. Reuters -
Harvey Elliott – 6. The 19-year-old started the season expecting to contribute regularly but a serious ankle injury in September slowed his progress. By the time he came back in February, the dynamics of the team had changed and there were fewer chances for the youngster. There will be plenty of time for him to blossom. EPA
“What was my conclusion of the last season? I don’t think it makes too much sense to think like this.
“We played in an incredibly high level, we were consistent, we played good football – not always but very often. We fought hard. These are all things we need to do again.”
During the summer, Liverpool have sold Senegal forward Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich after a highly-successful six years on Merseyside in which he won the Champions League and Premier League, scoring 120 goals in 269 games.
But Klopp has quickly filled that void by signing Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez from Benfica and the manager expects Liverpool to make a smooth transition to the new era.
“Of course we have had a little change in our team. We lost Sadio, who was a fixed line-up player for six years,” Klopp added.
“But it's always like this. We cannot try to stick together forever. We have to make changes and when Sadio came and told us that he wanted to face a new challenge, because it was early enough [in the close season] we accepted that.
Liverpool 2022/23 salaries
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Mohamed Salah is the highest paid player at Liverpool, according to capology.com, with a weekly wage of £350,000, or £18,200,000 a year. Getty -
Virgil van Dijk gets £220,000 a week. Getty -
Thiago gets £200,000 a week. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold, £180,000 a week. Reuters -
Fabinho gets £180,000 a week. EPA -
Roberto Firmino, £180,000 a week. Reuters -
Alisson Becker, £150,000 a week. Getty -
Jordan Henderson, £140,000 a week. Getty -
Darwin Nunez, £140,000 a week. PA -
Diogo Jota, £140,000 a week. AFP -
Naby Keita, £120,000 a week. Getty -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, £120,000 a week. Reuters -
Arthur, £110,000 a week. PA -
Joel Matip, £100,000 a week. EPA -
Andrew Robertson, £100,000 a week. Getty -
Joe Gomez, £85,000 a week. Getty -
Ibrahima Konate, £70,000 a week. Getty -
Nathaniel Phillips, £65,000 a week. Reuters -
James Milner, £60,000 a week. Getty -
Adrian, £60,000 a week. Getty -
Luis Diaz, £55,000 a week. Reuters -
Kostas Tsimikas, £50,000 a week. Getty -
Fabio Carvalho, £50,000 a week. AP -
Harvey Elliott, £40,000 a week. Getty -
Calvin Ramsay, £15,000 a week. PA -
Curtis Jones, £10,000 a week. Reuters -
Caoimhin Kelleher, £10,000 a week. Getty
“So we had time to prepare for that situation and that's what we did. And now we have to find togetherness again. That's completely normal as well.”
While Mane has gone and Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract to remain on Merseyside for another three years, the future of another attacker in Roberto Firmino is now in doubt.
The 30-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract and reports in Italy suggest he is a £20m transfer target for Juventus.
But Klopp is of no doubt of the Brazilian's importance to the club “Bobby is crucial for us, the heart and soul of this team, the way we played in the last years was only possible because of Bobby,” the former Borussia Dortmund manager said.
“That’s why I’m really happy he was able to train for the majority of the time here in pre-season so far. Everything looks really good so I am absolutely fine. There is no doubt about Bobby’s quality. All the rest we will see how this year goes but he is essential for us.”
Gallery: Liverpool lose to Salzburg in friendly
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Benjamin Sesko celebrates with teammates after scoring Red Bull Salzburg's first goal during the pre-season friendly against Liverpool at Red Bull Arena on July 27, 2022 in Salzburg, Austria. Getty -
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah during the pre-season friendly match against Red Bull Salzburg. Getty -
Benjamin Sesko scores for Red Bull Salzburg against Liverpool at Red Bull Arena. Getty -
Amar Dedic of Red Bull Salzburg and Luis Diaz of Liverpool battle for the ball. Getty -
Salzburg defender Oumar Solet attempts a diving tackle against Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. Getty -
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino controls the ball during the pre-season friendly against Red Bull Salzburg. Getty -
Mohamed Salah goes through on goal against Red Bull Salzburg. Getty -
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gestures from the touchline during the pre-season friendly match at Red Bull Arena. Getty
