So thoughts of Istanbul give way to those of Crystanbul. Real Madrid’s five-goal salvo in 47 minutes on Tuesday illustrated that Liverpool will not be returning to Turkey for another Champions League final. Perhaps it was not as dramatic a collapse as the nine-minute spell at Selhurst Park which finished off their title challenge in 2014. And yet, with a certain inevitability, the fixture list now sends Liverpool back to Crystal Palace, the scene of a capitulation, bringing memories of a night when ambitions ended unpleasantly.
Part of Liverpool’s current equation is familiar. They are eighth now. Two years ago, they were eighth with 10 games to go and during a spell when they were eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid, salvaged a top-four finish. Now, with 16 matches remaining, the aim has to be the same.
