Having converted Liverpool fans into 'believers' during his first season-and-a-half as manager, Jürgen Klopp was just 90 minutes away from returning the club to the Champions League for the first time since 2014-15.

Embroiled in a three-way battle for third and fourth place with Manchester City and Arsenal, the Reds hosted relegated Middlesbrough on the final day of the Premier League season knowing victory would guarantee Klopp's project could kick on to the next level.

But with half-time fast approaching at Anfield, and Arsenal and City both winning, Liverpool languished outside the Champions League qualifying places.

Then, with nerves beginning to show through in the team's performance, Gini Wijnaldum struck his sixth goal of the season to put the Reds in control. Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana struck in quick succession after the break as Liverpool claimed a 3-0 victory to secure fourth place ahead of Arsenal.

Amid the fist pumping and hugs that greeted the players at the final whistle there was the feeling that this was the start of something special. And so it transpired as Klopp's swashbuckling Liverpool would go all the way to the 2018 Champions League final.