2016-17 pundits' picks: Verdict of the Season

Chris Bascombe: I would say it has been an excellent season. It’s a fine line between being disappointed and being satisfied. I think it’s more than satisfied. What happened really this season is the fact that they started so well people expected probably more too much, too soon. I think there’s probably a fair disappointment that perhaps they didn’t have the foresight to strengthen a bit more in January, especially when Mane was unavailable and Coutinho and Lallana picked up injuries, but at the same time 76 points is very good. Liverpool haven’t picked up that many points many times in the Premier League era really and this was only Klopp’s first season in charge. When you look back at the progress from the day Klopp took over to where they are now and the standard of football they are playing now, I don’t think the guy has been given enough credit what he deserves, especially when you see how much money the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have spent. This is a transformation under Klopp and I think he has certainly met expectations and probably exceeded them, but I would also say this is just the start and I don’t think Klopp will ever be satisfied with Liverpool just finishing in fourth place. You have to do it in steps so I would say this has been an excellent season, but I think with what we all expect and demand there is going to be a lot more to come because Liverpool FC is all about winning trophies at the end of the day.

Melissa Reddy: More progress was undoubtedly made in Klopp’s first full season in charge, with Liverpool only picking up more than 76 points in two of the previous 10 seasons, and finishing in the top four for only the second time in the last eight. Beyond the raw numbers, though, the Reds were electric when the manager had close to a fully-fit squad to choose from, with the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte labelling them the toughest opponents to tackle. Had Liverpool not suffered so many injuries since late November, they would have pushed Chelsea and Tottenham closer at the top of the table. Their dominance against the ‘Big Six’ was stellar, and during the run-in, the team showed a steel to match their early-season sparkle. The trick now is to meld both approaches for better game management and to add more quality options to help dismantle deep defences.

Gareth Roberts: It’s got to rank as a good one. It’s only the second time in eight seasons the Reds have finished in the Champions League slots so in that context it represents progress. The month when the wheels fell off was hard to take given the fantastic football that we had witnessed before it but it’s to the players’ credit that they were able to refocus, recalibrate their aims and find another way of winning later in the season to get over the line and finish top four. Lots of aspects to the season bode well for the future – Liverpool have proved they can go toe to toe with the best and win; Liverpool have showed they can stand up to the physical approach and win tough aways. It feels like the spirit is good and the club is pointing in the right direction. With a bit more quality to beef out the squad, there could be great days and great nights ahead for the Reds.

Roy Evans: I have enjoyed watching them this season and have enjoyed a lot of Jürgen’s ideas. Against some of the so-called lesser teams we have perhaps not been at our best but we have been without some key players for long periods. I would say the season has been successful. We always want to win something at the end of it but well done to Jürgen and the team. I think most of our fans will be happy that we have got back to where we feel we belong in the Champions League. I know we have to play a qualifier but we are in there and it will enhance more players to want to join our club.

David Fairclough: A good season. Improvement on the previous season, we have grown to know more about Jürgen’s style and what he demands and how he wants to play. To finish fourth in a Champions League position is a big improvement and we are on our way up.

Jan Molby: At the start of the season I thought getting into the top four would be our realistic target. I changed my mind during the season but with hindsight I look back; we finished above a Manchester United side under Jose Mourinho, especially with the money they spent on one player alone! I think it has been a good season. Yes, we would have liked to have done better in the domestic cup competitions but it wasn’t to be, but top four enables us to play in this Champions League qualifier and then get back in the tournament.

Matt Smith: One of progress. I am not going to get carried away and I’m sure the manager would agree with that. For Jürgen Klopp’s first full season I think the style of play in the autumn was very impressive. It wasn’t kept up and there’s things to address there, but they are definitely headed in the right direction.

Steve Hunter: A good season offering great promise for the future under Jürgen Klopp. I think at the start of the season realistically our goal was to get back in the top four and we have achieved that. When you look back at injuries to key players at key moments in the season, the likes of Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana, I think we have to be satisfied with a top-four finish.