It started with a slip and ended with a sob but Liverpool should be proud of this season

The sound of the sobs said it all. Suarez and co knew their title hopes were hanging by a thread after letting a three goal lead slip at home no less to Crystal Palace and what once looked a nailed on title win certainty seemed a distant possibility come full time.

It started with a slip and ended with a sob. Liverpool’s title challenge will be summed up in a nutshell in seasons to come as being the nearly men. So close but so far.

Their fans and players looked utterly distraught on the final day knowing that the Manchester City win was going to end their dreams for at least another year.

Yet in the cold light of day the achievement Brendan Rodgers and his men managed to put together is nothing short of astonishing.

Second place and taking the battle for the title down to the final day was certainly not something fans would have expected come the start of the season – but that was what the Reds delivered.

Getting back into the Champions League was the target for Rodgers and he managed to deliver with gusto.

Liverpool and their fans believe they belong in Europe’s premier competition and given the magical sometimes even mythical atmosphere at Anfield on Champions League nights, anyone who has experienced that would be hard pressed to disagree.

Well come the start of next season they will once again be playing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights – without even having to bother going through the qualifiers Arsene Wenger seems to have such an affinity for.

Liverpool have impressed and even won themselves the somewhat far-fetched tag of the ‘people’s choice’ for the title. Bizarre yes, but there is no doubting that the style of football played by the Reds this term has won them a few fans or at the very least people who are willing to watch them when their games are on Sky.

You need only look at the PFA team of the year and indeed the England squad going to Brazil to see how well the Liverpool players have done.

Luis Suarez decided to spend his time putting the ball into the back of the net instead of his teeth into opponents’ skin and to what results.

Steven Gerrard has seen his game mature like a fine wine and has been as vital as always – if not more so – despite being 33 years old now, and that age outside of Serie A or indeed the Class of 92 is getting on a bit for a midfielder in the Premier League.

Yes certain summer buys have been slightly disappointing – and in the case of Iago Aspas very disappointing – but the majority of players have all pulled their weight when it has mattered most. Even Kolo Toure who spends most of his free time worrying about his weight and playing peek a boo with shower curtains has been passable on occasion.

The players of the future have managed to become starlets of the present and no one will doubt the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan’s contributions to the side – even if the latter’s parentage has come in for rather harsh ridicule on social media!

Jordan Henderson has established himself in the side and was a huge miss in the final three games of the season – but there is one area where the Reds simply have to improve and that is at the back.

Given City and Chelsea will be shoring up those holes that allowed other sides to capitalise this season, Liverpool and Rodgers simply have to make sure they do the same in order to move forward.

Do you think Liverpool can challenge for the title again or even win it? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.