Fans have lined the streets in Liverpool to give Jurgen Klopp's team a grand homecoming as they returned from Paris, despite falling short in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
The Reds were agonisingly beaten 1-0 their Spanish counterparts on Saturday in a showpiece that was marred by pre-match chaos, forcing kick-off to be delayed three times. Thousands of supporters were left stranded in queues for hours outside of the Stade de France, with some even subject to tear gas from French authorities as riot police were deployed, while UEFA have been slammed for the organisation of the event.
But the Anfield faithful ensured that spirits were high back on Merseyside, as Klopp and his players celebrated an epic season which saw them emerge with two trophies - the FA Cup and League Cup - after hunting for an unprecedented four until the last hurdle. Liverpool's men's team and women's team - who won their respective division following a fantastic campaign of their own - gathered on open-top buses on Sunday afternoon, taking in the glory after another memorable term for Kopites around the world.
As Klopp and Matt Beard's sides partied, fans showed their unwavering support and a newlywed couple even marked the occasion by walking through the middle of the parade after tying the knot. The Reds also enjoyed hearing from Scottish singer-songwriter Calvin Harris, who played as the designated DJ.
The scenes were a contrast to Liverpool's heartache less than 24 hours earlier, as Klopp vowed that his team would be back for another go next season. "In the dressing room nobody feels it was a great season at the moment. We maybe need a few hours for that," the Reds boss told BT Sport post-match.
"It was the two decisions against us that were the smallest margins possible. We played a good game, not a perfect game. I don't think a perfect game is possible against an opponent set up with a deep formation. We had a lot of shots but not the clearest. [Thibaut] Courtois made two top saves.
"We conceded a goal from a throw-in. [Federico] Valverde wanted to shoot, Vinicius [Junior] was there and that's it. The boys tried everything, especially at 1-0 down then we played like we wanted to play before. We had our midfielders too deep. It's a threat they are with counterattacks. We wanted to be more brave in the second half.
"That's what we said at half-time. We played around them. We should have played more in the formation than around them. It feels different. It's not bad to get to the final. It's a kind of success. Not the success you want to have.I have a strong feeling we'll come again.
"The boys are really competitive. It's an outstanding group together. We will have an outstanding group next season. Where's it next season? Istanbul? Book the hotel."
Defender Andy Robertson also gave his immediate reaction and admitted: "The dressing room is quiet, devastated. That is what happens when you don't win finals. We had chances, came up against an unbelievable keeper. Being honest, though, we could have played better. In the second half we didn't start great and they got hold of the game.
"When you come up against experienced teams like that they know how to win finals. We are a pressing team, it has worked so much for us but we have been caught back post and that's football. It is hard to get back in the game playing against a very experienced team, they know how to see out a game."
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Former midfielder Jason McAteer stressed the importance of celebrating reaching three finals and finishing second in the Premier League, one point behind winners Manchester City, to LFC TV. "Jurgen was vocal in saying we need to celebrate. I was vocal about not enjoying the success of their success," McAteer declared.
"They won cups and had games three days later. You must celebrate victories. In our day we would go on holiday together. It builds spirit and you get the sense of winning something. I think it's massively important. I think it's one of the reasons Jurgen wanted this today."
