Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have won it all. But in Europe, they may well have won more had it not been for Spanish teams.
Real Madrid have defeated the Reds in two Champions League finals and knockout rounds, including the last 16 this season. Atletico Madrid also claimed Liverpool's scalp in 2019/20 at the same stage.
And then there's Sevilla and their favourite competition, the Europa League. The 2016 final was Liverpool's second showpiece occasion during Klopp's first season in charge.
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Manchester City came out on top in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley in the Carabao Cup showpiece just months prior, and it was a similar feeling of disappointment in Basel when, on this day seven years ago, Sevilla ran out 3-1 winners to prevent Klopp from collecting the only piece of meaningful silverware he hasn't got in his Anfield collection.
Daniel Sturridge struck first with a superb outside-of-the-boot finish in the first half to give Liverpool the lead. However, a second-half fightback from the Andalusians, spearheaded by Jorge Andujar Moreno's double, led them to their then-fifth Europa League crown.
Klopp's side were left crestfallen at the final whistle as their Spanish opposition wheeled away in jubilation. But for many, the defeat felt like the turning point and the catalyst for the Reds' rise to becoming global superpowers in the following years.
A backline of Nathaniel Clyne, Kolo Toure, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno started against Sevilla in front of Simon Mignolet in goal. James Milner captained Klopp's side alongside a midfield of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Emre Can, with Roberto Firmino alongside Sturridge up front.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who had been struggling for fitness, was an unused substitute on a bench containing Danny Ward, Martin Skrtel, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi.
Already the love affair with Anfield and European nights under Klopp had started during a memorable night during the quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, coming from 3-1 down on the night to win 4-3 thanks to late goals from defensive duo Mamadou Sakho and Lovren.
Klopp's record in finals while a manager in Germany was highlighted during his early career on Merseyside. Going into the showpiece, the German had lost his last four such games.
However, it was the reaction from Klopp and the promise he made which would later ring true as they embarked on their formidable quest to become champions of England, Europe and the world.
In the hours following the heartache in Basel, Klopp delivered a rousing speech to his defeated squad as he told them: “Two hours ago you all felt s***. Now hopefully you all feel better. This is just the start for us. We will play in many more finals."
Speaking after the defeat, the manager was defiant that it wouldn't be the first and only final for is Reds. "We had a few moments where we maybe over-performed – we were unbelievable, great and the boys showed what they are capable of, but then to have this consistency you need a little bit more time," he said.
"They are still young and this was their first big final – unfortunately their second final (loss) of the season, but it was a big final and we will use this experience together. Then someday everybody will say Basel was a very decisive moment for the wonderful future of Liverpool FC."
Henderson and his celebratory shuffle have gone on to become a regular feature with Liverpool having since swept the board, and the skipper pointed to the importance of that evening in Switzerland.
"That night always sticks out to us, I always remember it just because I can remember after the game going back to the hotel," Henderson said. "Obviously, all of the lads are disappointed and you just want to go back to your room and not see anyone. The gaffer was a bit different to what you would expect, he had everyone downstairs together in the bar area and we just spent the night together.
"I felt that he knew this was the start of something special to come. As a player, it's very difficult to think that then when you've just lost a final, but I always felt he was very different to what I'd seen before and that night always sticks out in my mind. He sort of knew what was coming in the next few years and I feel he's produced that and he's proven that was the beginning of something special."
Following the heights of being crowned kings of Europe after their win over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 Champions League final, Liverpool overcame Chelsea in the Super Cup before beating Flamengo in the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar.
The Premier League was won in 2020, and they then chased an unprecedented quadruple last season, playing in every game available to them, but fell marginally short as Manchester City pipped them on the final day to the Premier League title and then lost by a one-goal margin against Real Madrid in Paris in the Champions League final. The League Cup and FA Cup were secured, though.
This season has been far from expectations but they still remain within touching distance of breaking into the top four going into the final two games of the season. However, it's clear the Liverpool manager foresaw the fortunes at Anfield turning around and his prediction following their defeat in Basel coming true.
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