Column: Reds created lifelong memories

Every aspect of the Reds' transition from a side that finished seventh to one in contention for the Barclays Premier League title was scrutinised meticulously over the course of a ground-breaking campaign.

Nowhere more so than in the national media, where the club's return to the Champions League for the first time in five years, prompted by a stunning 11-game run of victories, filled endless column inches and provided plenty of back-page headlines.

Continuing our series, Liverpoolfc.com will review an unforgettable season with a handful of the country's leading journalists - today we get the thoughts of the Liverpool Echo's Liverpool correspondent, James Pearce, who tells us just how the Reds went about making us dream last season...

'Make Us Dream' read the banner which accompanied Liverpool on their thrilling journey during the 2013-14 season and Brendan Rodgers and his players certainly achieved that.

This was the campaign when the Reds broke off the shackles and re-established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

Ultimately, there was heartache as the 19th title Kopites craved narrowly eluded them, but the overriding emotion at Anfield on the final day was one of pride.

Liverpool began the season as outsiders for a top-four finish; they ended it as runners-up and just two points adrift of champions Manchester City.

All expectations were exceeded playing a breathtaking brand of attacking football which yielded 101 league goals - the Reds' best tally since 1896.

The class of 2013-14 created memories that will last a lifetime. From the 5-0 demolition of Spurs at White Hart Lane to the 4-0 thrashing of Everton in the Anfield derby.

How about the scintillating manner in which Arsenal, league leaders at the time, were blown away in those electrifying opening 20 minutes of a 5-1 triumph.

Then there was the 3-0 cruise at Old Trafford and the stunning 3-2 win over City on the day Anfield fell silent to remember the 96. The highlights reel is endless.

A run of 11 successive league victories was Liverpool's best since 1990 and six straight away wins equalled a club record as the club's painful five-year absence from Europe's elite was ended in style.

No wonder the manager's name was chanted so fervently by the Kop as fans showed their appreciation for the turnaround he has overseen.

Rodgers has rolled back the years and turned Anfield once again into an arena where opponents fear to tread. The accolade of LMA Manager of the Year was fitting recognition from his peers for the remarkable job the Northern Irishman has done.

He has made a mockery of the idea that you can only compete at the top end of the Premier League with a bottomless supply of cash.

This has been a renaissance based on hard graft as Rodgers focused his efforts on draining every last drop out of the players at his disposal.

The unity, spirit and camaraderie Rodgers fostered enabled Liverpool to mount their best shot at the title for 24 years.

His Liverpool team is littered with examples of how those countless hours on the pitches at Melwood have paid dividends.

He elevated 31-goal Luis Suarez to world-class status as the Uruguayan deservedly completed a PFA and FWA Player of the Year double.

Rodgers unlocked the rich potential in Daniel Sturridge, who formed half of the most potent frontline in Europe. His faith in youth was richly rewarded as the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan made big contributions.

Rodgers' skills as a developer of talent is best illustrated by the rise of Jordan Henderson. His transformation from bit-part player to midfield linchpin has been incredible.

Henderson's athleticism and commitment was never in question but he now possesses the tactical intelligence to enable him to channel that energy correctly.

His importance to the team was reinforced by how much he was missed during the run-in as he served a three-match ban.

The manager's reinvention of Steven Gerrard from marauding midfielder into deep-lying playmaker proved to be a masterstroke.

The talismanic skipper has been as influential this term as he has ever been. That new role utilises his strengths without placing unrealistic demands on a 33-year-old.

Gerrard is able to pull the strings and kick-start attacks with his breathtaking range of passing. No-one in the top flight created more than his 13 assists and his haul of 13 league goals was his best since 2008-09.

His unfortunate slip against Chelsea proved to be the moment the title race turned.

Yet that's not the image Kopites will take from this season. Instead, they will remember his inspirational leadership and his commanding presence in leading a young, inexperienced line-up to the brink of greatness.

Gerrard didn't cost Liverpool the title, he was the reason why they were able to stay in the race for so long.

'Poetry in Motion' was the soundtrack of a season which put Liverpool back where they belong - competing for the big prizes. It was some ride.