After the heartbreaking 2018 Champion League final, many believed this was the best chance of Liverpool winning the prestigious trophy since 2005. Liverpool ended 4th in the table finishing 25 points behind league winners Manchester City.

The Reds sought for reinforcement and a replacement over the summer transfer window.

Naby Keita finally joined Liverpool after signing the contract in the previous summer while the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho was added to provide more options in midfield but the most important signing many Liverpool fans would agree is the Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Even though Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp had given Loris Karius his support after the horrendous mistakes that cost him the Champion League, the pre-season did not do him any favours therefore, Liverpool spent £67 million on the Brazillian goal-keeper which at the time was the record purchase for goalie.

Liverpool began the season strong with 6 wins in a row including 2-1 away at Tottenham but losing to Chelsea in the league cup and then drawing to them 1-1 after an incredible goal by substitute Daniel Sturridge to keep Liverpool’s unbeaten run.

However, Liverpool was saved after Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty for Manchester City at Anfield to end the game goalless in October. Nonetheless, the Reds draws to Arsenal a couple of weeks later at the Emirates Stadium show the pressure Liverpool were under after the Gunners dominated the ball. Unfortunately, this was a problem for LFC throughout the season.

Liverpool’s Champion League run did not reflect their strong domestic run where they won their home games against PSG, and Red Star Belgrade but lost to them in the reverse fixture and losing to Napoli away meant Liverpool’s chances of qualifying to the last 16 was slim.

Hence, December had to be a perfect run with a must win against Napoli at Anfield as well as tough fixtures against Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal for any chance winning a major trophy.

Fate seemed to be on Liverpool’s side when substitute Divock Origi scored one of the strangest goals in the 96th minute after the last attack by Liverpool resulted in Virgil Van Dijk attempting to volley which was hit off by the Everton goal-keeper onto the bar where Origi pounce on the chance and scored.

Another substitute came to Liverpool’s help after Shaqiri scored two goals against Manchester United to win the game 3-1. While Roberto Firimino scored a hattrick to beat Arsenal 5-1.

In the important Champion League clash against Napoli, Liverpool needed to win by either 1-0 or by 3 goals to qualify but Liverpool’s talisman Mohammed Salah stepped up to score an incredible goal to help Liverpool qualify.

The 2018 year ended with Liverpool at the top of the table by 7 points ahead of Manchester City who they faced next at the beginning of 2019 and qualified into the last 16 of the Champion League.

Photo by Ambitious Creative Co. – Rick Barrett on Unsplash

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