Liverpool FC: Regeneration

That Swansea match must have stung

Unlikely Hero: Usually a Fringe Player, Wijnaldum saved his side a few times this month.

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As we hurtle towards the end of the season, Jurgen Klopp called for composure from his Liverpool side, who are still very much in the hunt for a domestic treble.

"Obviously we have all dreamt of a treble" the German told liverpoolfc.com "but we must stay composed: the next two months are very important, and it will take input from every single player if we are to fulfill our dreams and lift three trophies this season."

Nobody embodied that composure more this month than Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum. Usually a fringe player, he was handed a first-team spot when Adam Lallana picked up an injury against Sunderland, and he scored two crucial goals in narrow victories to maintain Liverpool's momentum, as well as anchoring a young midfield which at times seemed to struggle with the task ahead of it.

2-2 v Southampton
Morata, Matip
Joel Matip (8.0)

1-0 v Sunderland
Wijnaldum
Joe Gomez (8.7)

2-2 v West Ham
Coutinho, Ings
Nathaniel Clyne (7.4)

2-0 v Crystal Palace
Ojo, Origi
Nathaniel Clyne (7.9)

2-1 v Manchester City
Isco (2)
Isco (8.8)

1-0 v Leicester
Wijnaldum
Nathaniel Clyne (7.5)

Player of the Month: Nathaniel Clyne

It may have been Gini scoring the key goals, but it was some imperious defensive performances from Nathaniel Clyne which made those goals so critical - the right back was reinstated immediately after serving his suspension, and set about making amends for his absence straight away. With an average tackling success rate of 91% this month, and seemingly fearless going fowards, Clyne showed glimpses of truly world class form which he will hope to carry into next month, as Liverpool stand just 4 games from a domestic treble.

Young Player of the Month: Marko Grujic

With both Emre Can and Jordan Henderson struggling to maintain Match fitness, Marko Grujic got a decent run in the heart of midfield, often alongside Wijnaldum, and the mix of youth and experience seemed to work well, as the young Serb rose to the challenge of anchoring the midfield and allowing his midfield partner to roam forward and create chances. Grujic has really matured this season and is starting to show the potential which landed him his move to Liverpool in the first place.

Challenge: Lallana, Henderson and Coutinho lament the defeat against Stoke City

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Throwing titles away against Stoke is becoming a bit of a sore spot for Liverpool fans, and they will be hoping that their most recent loss to The Potters doesn't cost them their shot at the treble.

Liverpool opened May with a stunning victory against Middlesbrough: Divock Origi's brace topped off an imperious performance which left the visiting team with only 31% of possession at Anfield. A win against Stoke would have handed Liverpool the title with a game to spare, but with Chelsea winning their early kick-off against Crystal Palace, Liverpool stumbled to a 2-1 defeat away from home, to set up a nerve-wracking final day.

Liverpool will face Burnley at Anfield on Saturday knowing that only a win will guarantee them the title. Anything less than that, and Chelsea's home tie against Sunderland will be the deciding factor in the race for the league title. The London side are only two points behind Liverpool, and so Klopp's men will be painstakingly aware that only victory is good enough.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.com this morning, club vice-captain Adam Lallana was keen to stress that his team-mates had the quality to secure the title:

"We've had a brilliant season so far: to even be in the running for the title is an incredible feeling, but it's even more incredible knowing that this is entirely in our hands. We've slipped up against Stoke and we know that, but that result will drive us to do even better this weekend.

"A lot of the lads were here last time we came this close to the title, and nobody wants to feel like that again. We've got a good squad here, and we're more than capable of beating Burnley. We just want to get out there and treat this like any other match; we'll think about everything else later."

Go out there and bring that title home!

Key Man: Emre Can shone as Liverpool sealed the title.

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Liverpool headed into the final day against Burnley knowing that only a win would be enough to seal the club's 19th title, and keep them on-track for the treble. Fans packed into Anfield as 55,000 people descended on Liverpool to see their team.

Liverpool were without Jordan Henderson, who had failed a fitness test for a muscle tear, while vice-captain Adam Lallana was on the bench as he continued his recovery from a shoulder injury he picked up through the week.

Liverpool Squad: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Can, Anderson, Mane, Isco, Coutinho, Morata
Subs: Mingolet, Gomez, Wijnaldum, Origi, Lallana, Ojo, Ings

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It was Liverpool who started as the brighter of the two sides, with Emre Can dragging a long-range effort wide after just two minutes. Liverpool continued to pile the pressure on, and they had the ball in the net after just 13 minutes, but Saido Mane had been caught marginally offside, so the goal didn't stand.

News was slowly filtering through to Anfield that Chelsea were a goal to the good against Sunderland, and the Anfield crowd cranked the volume ever higher in an attempt to lift their team.

Jermaine Anderson responded quickest to the increased intensity, lifting an inch-perfect pass over the top of the Burnley defence, into the path of the onrushing Emre Can. The German's first-time volley was parried back into the box by Tom Heaton, but Isimat-Mirin got their first and launched the ball out for a throw-in.

Can was a constant thorn in the side of the Burnley defence, and he split them open again just after the half-hour mark. Isco swung a corner out to Can on the edge of the Burnley box, and the German shaped to shoot, but instead cut inside his marker before rifling his effort into the side netting. Half of the ground thought he had scored, but celebrations were short-lived, as they realised that it was in fact a goal kick.

Liverpool did eventually break the deadlock, through a spectacular team move which created a goal from absolutely nothing. Karius collected a deep cross in the box, and rolled the ball out to Alberto Moreno. The Spaniard looked up, and his crossfield ball found Can unmarked just inside his own half. Can flicked on to Alexander-Arnold just outside him, and the right back's first touch pass found Coutinho who had drifted into the middle. Now midway into the Burnley half, Coutinho laid the ball to Jermaine Anderson, who was coming forward with purpose, and the young midfielder spotted an unmarked Alvaro Morata lurking on the edge of the Burnley box. An inch-perfect pass gave Morata all the time he needed, and he found the top corner with laser precision to open the scoring for Liverpool.

Substitution (HT) Off: Saido Mane | On: Adam Lallana

The second-half was a more subdued affair, with Liverpool coasting, and 1 point clear at the top of the table. Burnley were able to work their way back onto a more even footing in terms of possession and gameplay, but neither side was really threatening to add to the scoreline in any way.

Adam Lallana, who had replaced Saido Mane at half-time, was Liverpool's greatest threat, and almost doubled the lead after an hour with a solo effort, but Tom Heaton was equal to the shot.

Substitution (74) Off: Alvaro Morata | On: Divock Origi
Substitution (74) Off: Phillipe Coutinho | On: Sheyi Ojo

With the match slowly winding down, Jurgen Klopp made the decision to use his final two substitutes, and it was a decision which proved to be a masterstroke. Just 5 minutes after being introduced, Sheyi Ojo found himself with possession on the left flank, and set off on a run which took him past two defenders, before squaring it into the box, where Divock Origi was waiting patiently. The Belgian's shot was cleared off the line, but only made it as far as Adam Lallana just outside the box. Lallana looked like he was going to try the volley, but instead laid a soft pass just to his left, where Isco was waiting, and the Spaniard rushed through the hole that had been exposed in the defence when they moved across to block Lallana. Tom Heaton rushed out of his goal to close down the angle, but Isco was unfazed, and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to seal a 2-0 victory, and the league title.

Finally the wait for the title is over!

The two former Madridistas scoring the vital title-winning goals! They delivered what they promised! Congrats!

Saviour: Loris Karius Produced two incredible saves to keep Liverpool in the game

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With the League and the League Cup both nestled safely in the Anfield trophy room, attention returned to Wembley today, as Liverpool and Manchester United face off in the FA Cup final. Neither side had a particularly easy route to the final, as we see below. United needed a replay to get past Arsenal in the 4th round, and needed extra time to knock out Aston Villa, while Liverpool had to face 3 Premier League opponents to battle their way to the final.

Road To The Final: Manchester United
3rd Round: Notts County
4th Round: Arsenal (Replay)
5th Round: Hull City
Quarter Final: Aston Villa (AET)
Semi Final: Blackburn

Road To the Final: Liverpool
3rd Round: Burnley
4th Round: Leeds United
5th Round: Wolves
Quarter Final: Stoke City
Semi Final: Manchester City

Neither team could be accused of treating the FA Cup like a 'mickey mouse' trophy this season, having both fielded strong sides throughout the competition. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is a firm believer that "Every game, in every tournament, is one which we need to give 110% in, and the FA Cup is no different. We don't have 'weak' sides, just different rotation options which give us all a fair crack at the whip."

Matchday Squad: Manchester United
Starting XI: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw, Blind, Fred, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Ibrahimovic
Subs: Romero, Jones, Mata, Rashford, Herrera, Carrick, Fellani

Matchday Squad: Liverpool
Starting XI: Karius, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Mane, Isco, Coutinho, Morata
Subs: Mingolet, Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Origi, Klavan, Lallana, Ings

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Both sets of fans were in fine voice as United kicked off, but it was Liverpool who fed off of their fan's passion, quickly dispossessing United through an Emre Can interception. Can knocked the ball left for Jordan Henderson, and the Liverpool captain pushed forwards, bringing the ball past the halfway line, before finding Morata on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard's shot was dragged narrowly wide.

From the resulting goal-kick, De Gea found Pogba in midfield, and as the Frenchman surged forward, Liverpool were struggling to get enough players behind the ball. Henderson intercepted Pogba's pass - intended for Ibrahimovic - and as he turned to release Emre Can to his right, Pogba crashed through the back of him in a cynical two-footed challenge. The referee showed no hesitation in reaching for his pocket, and Pogba had his marching orders.

Without Pogba, United looked lost. Liverpool were surging forwards again and again, and only some heroics from David De Gea in the United goal prevented the Manchester side from being several goals down.

The deadlock was broken eventually though, and it was January signing Isco who once again sent the Liverpool fans wild. Countryman Alberto Moreno whipped a cross in from the left, and Isco beat the entire United defence to the ball, throwing himself across the mouth of the goal to meet the cross with a spectacular diving header which De Gea could only watch fly past him.

Liverpool doubled their lead just before half time; dominant in midfield, a Jordan Henderson interception broke forwards, and Emre Can sprinted after it, beating Bailliy to the ball. One touch took him past his defender, while the second powered the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out, in what is surely one of the goals of the season.

Manchester United pulled one back just after half time, with Daley Blind rising highest from a corner to power the header past Loris Karius, but United never looked like they would be able to force their way back into the game, especially with the one-man disadvantage they'd had since the 7th minute. Emre Can and Adam Lallana both went close to restoring Liverpool's two goal advantage, but it was Alvaro Morata who made the real difference. The Spaniard picked the ball clean off the feet of Phil Jones midway inside the Manchester United half, and played a sublime 1-2 with Phillipe Coutinho which left him in oceans of space, with only an onrushing David De Gea in his path. Composed as ever, Morata lifted the ball over De Gea to complete the Liverpool win, and send fans into raptures with only 2 minutes left on the clock.

A superb cup victory over Liverpool's arch-rivals! Congratulations on the victory, and what a season it has been!

An unprecedented treble but congratulations man, more than deserved!

Isco certainly made the impact expected of him upon arrival! I'm certain Morata will pick up the pace soon enough, while it is also good to see Moreno living up to his potential! A new Spanish renaissance at Liverpool to match the days of Xabi, Torres, Arbeloa and Reina perhaps?

Great update and graphics to boot, who would have thought Alberto Moreno was going to do so well though! Certainly not me.

An incredible season man, just hope you can follow it up with a season that is just as good if not better! I feel though that the days when Liverpool had 'the best midfield in the world' could be on their way back!

Futurecraft: Klopp wants a Liverpool Club who are successful in all age groups

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Liverpool today announced the arrival of three new faces; all of them seemingly signed to strengthen the squad for future seasons. Rumours circulating Anfield this morning suggest that Jurgen Klopp’s focus in this window is less on strengthening his already strong senior side, and more about strengthening his youth sides, as this is where future Liverpool stars will be developed. Speaking to the media this morning, Klopp himself seemed to confirm this outlook:

”Of course it is always important to ensure that the first team is strong enough for the coming season, and I have some plans to make this the case. However, we also need to look at where our future players will come from - we would be foolish to pay millions for a player in 5 years time, when we can bring him in now, and develop him our way, so that he is ready when we need him.”

In that way, Klopp has unveiled his first signings of 2017/18: Andre Dozzell, Joe Rankin-Costello, and Jonah Hodgkinson, who all arrived at Melwood this morning for training.

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Andre Dozzell - £5m - Ipswich Town

Dozzell arrives with a bit of a reputation: the central midfielder was once mooted as one of England’s brightest prospects, but in two years at Ipswich, he managed only two senior appearances. Versatile across midfield, and technically gifted, Dozzell will be aware that he has a lot of work to do if he’s to make the grade at Anfield, but hopes are high for the 18 year old.
Squad Role: Under 18s

Joe Rankin-Costello - £4.9m - Blackburn Rovers

Like Dozzell, Rankin-Costello has been spoken about regularly in the media. A gifted midfielder, he is also able to play across the back four, and his pace and acceleration can cause real headaches for the opposition. Rankin-Costello made 7 Championship appearances last season, and while he didn’t get himself amongst the goals, he looked composed and assured on the ball, and with years ahead of him to develop, he could yet develop into a top midfielder for Liverpool
Squad Role: Under 18s

Jonah Hodgkinson - £975k - Crystal Palace

A natural right midfielder who can also push forward as a right winger, Hodgkinson only turned professional last season, but his natural gift for football was evident almost immediately, and Liverpool pounced, offering Crystal Palace just shy of £1m for his services. Quick on the ball and with the ability to produce crosses and through balls from the wing which split defences, Hodgkinson looks to be one of the best prospects in Liverpool’s youth setup right now, and if he develops as plans, could become one of their key players in years to come.
Squad Role: Under 18s