Liverpool's Champions League journey reached its conclusion on Wednesday evening after failing to get the better of Real Madrid over two legs.
Heading to the Bernabeu with it all to do, Jurgen Klopp's side rarely threatened the goal of the home side and made life relatively comfortable for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Far busier on the night was his opposite number Alisson Becker, who produced a string of impressive saves to ensure the aggregate score was kept only at 6-2 in favour of Los Blancos.
The Reds now have an opportunity to reflect on their back-to-back defeats and find solutions to the problems threatening the team's hopes of competing in Europe's elite competition next term. Manchester City are up next on April 1, hardly the fixture many would have wanted directly after the international break.
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Making sense of Liverpool's performance at the Bernabeu while previewing the team's April fixture list, four supporters have shared their views as part of a weekly ECHO fan column.
Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) - We're out of UCL - but let's make sure we're back next year
Jurgen Klopp will be relieved he doesn’t have to hear the word ‘miracle’ for a while now, which was bandied around for weeks in the run up to our clash with Real Madrid. The fact of the matter is, it was too much of a mountain to climb against a streetwise team who kept us at arm's length throughout. The more the game dragged on, the less we looked like a team believing we could overturn that three-goal deficit against the decorated giants.
Again, though, we saw a lack of creativity and cutting edge in crucial moments and an absence of character to take the game by the scruff of the neck, which has been an all too familiar tale on the road this season. The one positive to take forward from the night was Alisson Becker's ridiculous form as he saved us from total embarrassment.
For now, the goal is totally clear as we head into the business end of the season. It’s deflating there will be no shiny trophy, but let’s make sure we’re fighting for the biggest of them all come next season. We’re a side who have largely relished big showdowns in the league and they’re coming thick and fast next month. Keep believing, Reds!
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Diaz can again take on the role of difference-maker
How quick euphoria can be quelled. After the high of dismantling an in-form Manchester United team, we were sent crashing to the ground by a bright Bournemouth display. Those two games neatly demonstrated the key problem in our season: consistency.
Our woes were further compounded by a tame, meek performance on Wednesday evening. The mission in Madrid appeared to be more about avoiding embarrassment, than it was to fight for victory.
It was hard to watch Real Madrid play with such arrogance and smoothness, when our play was so timid and disjointed. It has been a laboured point this season, but midfield deficiencies were once again starkly visible. News that Bajcetic is set for a period on the sidelines will do little to ease concerns in this department.
Liverpool will continue to toil this season to obtain a top four position. Diaz’s arrival last season was a real spark and, with him returning from injury, he may well be the player to ignite our season and propel us to a top-four finish.
David Shams (Washington D.C., @ShamsWriter) - Bajcetic blow only adds to midfield issues
I watched Wednesday’s match at a local Liverpool bar, run by an Irish guy who supports the club. My thought was impeccable: maybe our positive vibes would combine and be enough to propel the Reds to an improbable upset at the Bernabeu.
In short, I wanted to feel something for the match and be around other fans who shared the same outlook. I wanted to be among the faithful, not expressing my dogma to the heavens and my eight-month-old son nor caring much about this silly charade.
Alas, while I was surrounded by the faithful, our powers provided little of anything. We did it anyway because what is fandom if not for chasing lost causes?
The run of form many thought would guarantee fourth place has run headlong into a meat grinder; chopped up and spit out, left waiting on the abattoir’s floor. A two-week pause will certainly give time for the team to lick their wounds. It’ll be a much-needed mental break, even for those expected on international duty. But on the other side awaits another quagmire: City, Chelsea and Arsenal. Nine points would be a pipe dream, but anything less than five won’t be enough.
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - International break may be no bad thing
The 1-0 defeats at Bournemouth and Real Madrid were each sobering in their own way. Those feelings were, arguably, exacerbated given the 7-0 success that came before. With that in mind, it’s perhaps not the worst time for 2023’s first international break. It may prove a valuable source of respite for some and a refreshing change of scenery for others.
Especially given the Reds’ inconsistencies, the 16-day interlude could help provide perspective. It has certainly felt like there has been progress over the last five weeks or so. Stefan Bajčetić has played a notable role in that headway, making the news of his season-ending injury additionally painful. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old has plenty to build on going into 2023/24.
On a more positive availability note, Thiago Alcântara and Luis Díaz may well be back when Premier League action returns in April. Manchester City away, Chelsea away and Arsenal at Anfield await when it does. “A proper football week,” as Jürgen Klopp has described it. The first three of the 12 crucial fixtures remaining.
Short and long-term tweaks are still needed, but we can hopefully head into the run-in refreshed and renewed in pursuit of those Champions League places.
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