Liverpool's 2014/15 season can't be classed as anything other than a disappointment, there's no question about that.
Bar a good run in the league from January to March, the league form was poor, resulting in a 6th placed finish.
The Champions League was disastrous, as the Reds crashed out at the group stage, and were eventually defeated by Besiktas in the Europa League round of 32.
Capital One Cup and FA Cup runs offered some hope, as the semi final stage of each competition was reached. However, these things happened only for Liverpool to miss chances against Chelsea in the former, and put in a terrible performance against Aston Villa in the latter.
So no Champions League qualification, no trophy and a set of fans turning on the management and players. But what exactly have we learned from this season? Let's take a look at the top four things.
1. Coutinho is the new match-winner.
Starting with the positives, I can't help but mention the performances of Philippe Coutinho. Named player of the year in our Liverpool VAVEL Player Ratings, the Brazilian has been amazing. Great goals galore, namely strikes against Manchester City and Southampton, Coutinho has been nearly unplayable.
A big hole was left in the team when Luis Suarez left, and it is largely still there. However it has been Coutinho who has looked most likely to fill the gap left by the Uruguayan, as the teams talisman. He is now the go-to man whenever the chips are down, as his complex mix of speed, skill and passing ability has finally been blended with some shooting talent.
Whenever Coutinho is on form, Liverpool seem to tick, and he's been churning out 7 or 8/10 performances on a week to week basis in the absence of both Suarez and Sturridge. With better players ahead of him to pass to next season, the future can only be bright for the player Steven Gerrard calls 'the magician'.
2. The transfer committee needs an overhaul.
Transfers, they've been the subject of much discussion for years at Liverpool, and notably since Brendan Rodgers became manager. Over £200million pounds worth of transfer fees have gone out of the door since the Ulsterman took over, which precious little to show for it.
After the exit of Luis Suarez last summer, the club spent around £120million trying to replace him, whilst pushing the club on at the same time. They failed in this process, and it could be argued that out of all last summer's signings, only Emre Can has been a success. Due to this, the way players are brought into the club must be looked at. Liverpool use a transfer committee to bring in players, a group of people that involves manager Brendan Rodgers, his scouts and members of the board.
There is a lack of accountability for mistakes in the transfer market, and this reflects badly on the club. Performances from signings such as Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren have signified this, and similar mistakes can't be made if the Reds are to buy quality players this time around.
3. Harmony can't be taken for granted, in the squad or stands.
2013/14. Poetry in motion rang around the stands, and was the flow and style accompanying the song was transferred onto the pitch. 2014/15 was full of contrasting emotions, as the atmosphere around Anfield died, so did the quality football.
There were no problems on or off the pitch as Liverpool went close to the title, as everyone on the red half of Merseyside was dancing to the same beat of the drum. The same can't be said for the season Liverpool have just endured, as on and off field problem dominated headlines. The fans were divided over the future of Rodgers, with two banners flown over Anfield during the campaign, one reading 'Rodgers out' with the other having 'In Rodgers we trust' across it. This caused unrest in the stands, as the supporters failed to get behind the team in a way everyone knows they can. Contract situations were also a problem, namely Raheem Sterling's.
Ever since news of Sterling's unhappiness became public in January, the winger's performance levels dropped, to a point where he was hardly contributing. As if these problems weren't enough, the signing of Mario Balotelli created a new can of worms. Balotelli has actually been fairly well behaved since signing from AC Milan, but constant false press surrounding the Italian striker has proved a distraction, that could offer a suggestion for his poor form. Whatever the cause, Liverpool's success next season could depend largely on an upturn in morale and harmony, in and around the club.
4. Brendan Rodgers still hasn't got big game tactical nous.
Despite his obvious talents, it wasn't a good season for Brendan Rodgers. A large part of it came down to his inability to deliver in big games, a flaw that has been exposed ever since he took over as Liverpool manager. From Zenit St Petesburg in 12/13 to Chelsea at home on that fateful April day last year, it is a probem that hadn't been addressed, and wasn't this season.
Now, in saying big games, it means important one's. Liverpool's 2-1 victory at home to Manchester City can be taken as a big game, but was it a big one in the context of Liverpool's season? No. Games that were, include Manchester United at home, Arsenal away, Aston Villa at Wembley and Basel at home. The re-ocurring theme? Liverpool had to win all of them, but didn't win any. The Reds failed to turn up in any of those four games, showing little motivation, but I'd like to focus in on Basel.
Matchday Six of the UEFA Champions League. By some sort of miracle, Liverpool were still in with a chance of qualifying. All they needed to do was beat a fairly average Basel side at Anfield. The starting line up was: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Sterling, Lambert. Shockingly one dimensional. How many of those players are 100% to remain on L4 next season? Mignolet, Skrtel, Henderson and Allen. Four of the starting 11. If ever there was game to signify Liverpool's return to the European stage, that was it, and Rodgers failed miserably.
An attribute to win big games is an important one for all top managers, but one the Ulsterman seemingly does not possess. Whether he can acquire it over time remains to be seen, but whether he will get the chance to at Liverpool is another question all-together.