And so that was 2015. Managerial changes, some great results, some awful ones, and another calender year without a trophy.
As we look to start anew in January, we look back at the highs and lows of the year that was.
1) Stoke City 6-1 Liverpool
This was arguably the most memorable match of our season, sadly. With the 2014-15 campaign winding down to a whimper, Liverpool faced Mark Hughes’ Stoke City side at the Britannia Stadium on the final day.
What ensued was the biggest horror show in living memory – indeed, it was the first time since 1963 that we’d conceded six or more goals in a league game (via BBC).
Rodgers’ men collapsed under relentless Stoke pressure, finding themselves 3-0 down after half an hour and 5-0 down at half-time. Gerrard pulled one back in the second half, adding only the merest gloss to his final game with the club.
In the aftermath Rodgers’ was fighting for his job. He eventually received a stay-of-execution until the autumn, but this match was the beginning of the end for the Northern Irishman.
2) Klopp-mania
It’s rare that a managerial appointment creates such hysteria and headlines as those we saw when Jurgen Klopp touched down on Merseyside.
For one crazy afternoon, Liverpool fans everywhere we transfixed to their screens – Reddit users tracked his plane over the North Sea, Twitter went into overdrive with jokes and memes, other clubs looked on with envy.
For his part, Klopp attended his first press conference then promptly went for a pint in a local pub, immediately endearing himself the to the Anfield faithful.
3) Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
The first of two games against our North West rivals to make the list, March’s 2-1 win over City marked the final high point of Rodgers’ reign. Coutinho scored a 75th minute winner, sparking scenes similar to those witnessed in the 3-2 win 12 months earlier.
It was Liverpool’s eleventh game without defeat in all competitions. The early season blues had vanished and it looked like we might be able to overhaul United for the fourth Champions League spot.
Further wins over Burnley and Swansea followed, but thereafter the wheels came off. We won just two of our final ten outings, and ended the season in a disappointing sixth place, eight points behind the top four.
4) Injuries
Injuries are part and parcel of the game, but there’s no denying that we’ve been particularly afflicted by them in 2015.
Sturridge’s ongoing litany of problems is well-documented, but Joe Gomez and Danny Ings both suffered season-ending ACL injuries within a matter of weeks, we were without Henderson for three months, and Sakho, Allen, Lovren, and Coutinho all missed substantial periods.
Here’s to a fitter and healthier 2016!
5) Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool
We knew we had a tough start of the season, with the fixtures computer sending us to Old Trafford, The Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Goodison Park, White Hart Lane, and the Etihad before the end of November.
The City game marked the end of the run, and with the only defeat coming against United, there was cause for optimism.
Klopp had already laid down a marker with a 3-1 win at Chelsea two matchdays earlier, but it was the win City where the German could really say “I’ve arrived”. Gegenpressing was on display across the pitch, and there was a clear connectivity between the boss and the players that was lacking at the end of Rodgers’ tenure.
Firmino scored a goal and enjoyed his performance in a Red shirt to date, Coutinho was majestic, the defence was resolute, and there was even time for a late Martin Skrtel pile-driver to secure the points.
6) Goodbye Gerrard
2015 was the year that Liverpool fans hoped would never arrive, as Steven Gerrard confirmed he was leaving for an end-of-career hurrah in the MLS.
We’ve already touched on Gerrard’s final game, but in truth the Gerrard leaving party had been in full swing since the turn of the year.
Sadly there was to be no final piece of silverware, but after collecting a dazzling array of honours throughout his career, Gerrard has unquestionably earned his place alongside the club’s all-time greats.
7) Semi-final heartache
2015 saw us reach two semi-finals and come away with two losses.
Firstly our Capital One cup run was ended after extra time in London by Chelsea, before we offered a thoroughly miserable performance in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi in mid-April.
The loss to Villa meant Rodgers was doomed to become the first Liverpool manager since the 1950s not to win a trophy in his first three seasons in charge.