Jurgen Klopp’s seismic announcement at the start of 2024 threatened to derail Liverpool’s stability as the club had to come to terms with losing their greatest manager of the modern era.
Fast forward to the end of 2024 and it couldn’t be going much better. Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot has led his side to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League and they are also Carabao Cup semi-finalists.
The Athletic looks back at the ups and downs of Liverpool’s 2024.
Best moment… and best game
At the start of the 2023-24 season, if you had been told Liverpool would finish the Carabao Cup final with Jayden Danns, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jarell Quansah on the pitch, many would have been too fearful to ask what the final score was.
Instead, the 1-0 extra-time victory over Chelsea, sealed by Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute header, was one of the most memorable moments of Klopp’s reign.
Virgil van Dijk wins the Carabao Cup final (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Because of an injury crisis that left Liverpool without a number of key players, Klopp had been left to throw academy players in at the deep end. ‘Klopp’s Kids’ did more than just step up. They excelled.
Klopp described it as “the most special trophy” he had ever won. It is hard to disagree given how the odds were stacked against Liverpool. It captured everything that Klopp had built during his eight-and-a-half years in charge.
Worst moment
Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals still causes many fans’ blood to boil.
Entering the game, Liverpool – with one trophy already won – were still dreaming of a quadruple to end Klopp’s tenure in the perfect way.
But it all began to fall apart at Old Trafford when Amad Diallo scored the winner in the final minute of extra time from Liverpool’s own corner. Klopp’s side failed to put the game away when on top, and paid the heaviest price.
There were a number of factors behind Liverpool’s poor end to the season, but it always felt like they never fully recovered from the psychological blow they suffered at their great rivals that day.
Best player
Mohamed Salah’s incredible 2024-25 campaign so far put him right in contention, despite injuries and poor form limiting his impact in the first half of the year. But he is just pipped by Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk.
The epitome of consistency, the 33-year-old is showing no signs of decline and he has remained the integral figure in the team’s spine.
He has relished taking on the captain’s armband and that responsibility of setting the tone and the tempo on the pitch has only increased as he has grown into the role.
The Dutch international remains one of the best defenders in Europe and, along with Salah, looks capable of playing at the highest level for many years to come.
Van Dijk has been in superb form all year (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Did that really happen?
Every Liverpool fan will remember what they were doing on January 26, when they found out Klopp would be stepping down as manager at the end of the 2023-24 season.
With Liverpool challenging on four fronts and the German working with a retooled and refreshed squad he nicknamed ‘Liverpool 2.0‘, few could have predicted the 57-year-old’s announcement.
It sent shockwaves throughout the city, similar to those experienced when Bill Shankly retired in 1974, and there was a sense of mourning at the imminent loss of the club’s greatest modern manager.
Departing had been on Klopp’s mind for a handful of months after informing owners Fenway Sports Group about his intentions to leave in November because he was, in his own words, running out of energy.
His legacy over his eight-and-a-half-year reign includes the club’s sixth European Cup and first Premier League title alongside so many moments it would take until 2026 to list.
The stat that sums up 2024
1 — the number of defeats Slot has suffered since taking over (against Nottingham Forest).
For the first part of the year, the underlying conversation was who and how anybody could replace Jurgen Klopp.
It was understandable to think of a worst-case scenario because replacing such an iconic and influential figure is never easy – just ask Manchester United.
For the second half of 2024, everybody has been wondering what all the fuss was about. Slot, so far, has overseen a seamless transition and put Liverpool in position to enjoy a trophy-laden 2025.
Favourite quote
“Ar-ne Slot! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!”
Moments after his last game in charge in May, a 2-0 win over Wolves, Klopp was centre stage and saying his final goodbyes to Anfield.
It really should have been all about him; instead, he offered Slot – who was yet to be officially announced as his replacement – the perfect welcome.
Fans frequently belted out the song, using Klopp’s name, to celebrate the German. But, to symbolise the passing of the torch, Klopp led Anfield in singing his new version and, helped by his early success, it has stuck.
Jurgen Klopp serenades Anfield after his final game (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Player to watch in 2025
Liverpool have a number of youngsters who could be the player to watch. There is plenty of excitement around Trey Nyoni and the next steps of his development. Stefan Bajcetic is back fit and playing. And can Owen Beck force himself into the left-back conversation in pre-season?
Ben Doak would, however, be my pick. He has excelled on loan at Middlesbrough, playing an integral role for them, and is doing the same for Scotland at international level. There have always been high hopes for the 19-year-old, and with a full season of senior action under his belt, he may be ready for the next step when he returns.
Ben Doak could have a stellar 2025 (George Wood/Getty Images)
A wish for 2025
Well, the quadruple is still on…
I’m not going to get greedy. The idea of Slot winning the league title in his first season in England would be an incredible achievement. Liverpool are in an excellent position, and if they get over the line, it will be fun to actually get to celebrate this one in person given the 2020 commemorations were held behind closed doors because of Covid.
But who would say no to a Champions League crown, too? Slot’s side have looked the best in the competition so far and they have a great chance of winning it.
Oh… and let’s have a resolution to the contract situations of Salah, Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold — sooner rather than later, please.
(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
