The 2023-24 season will go down as a monumental one in the history of Liverpool Football Club. Not the most glorious (that would take some doing – they’ve won more European Cups than any other British football team), but certainly one that will redefine the club for the next decade or so. It was the end of an era, but also a celebration of the rebirth of the club under Jurgen Klopp.
There is rarely a dull moment at the historic Anfield Stadium, and this season proved no different. Join us as we take a look back over this Liverpool FC season, the highs, lows and shocking announcements (spoilers). Then, we will cover how you can get yourself to Anfield next season, to watch the new dawn of the club, with some amazing Liverpool FC hospitality tickets, as UEFA Champions League football returns to the city.
For now, though, let’s travel back to the summer of 2023.
Pre-Season
There was a bit of ‘changing of the guard’ about Liverpool FC in the summer. Long-serving stalwarts Jordan Henderson and James Milner (captain and vice captain respectively) both left the club. Virgil van Dijk took over as captain – a role that he fills for his country. Trent Alexander-Arnold was rewarded with the vice-captain role, highlighting his emergence as one of the more senior members of the squad. Roberto Firmino was another fan favourite that left the club.
The sale of Fabinho took the total raised from selling to Saudi Arabia to over £50 million, giving Klopp plenty of money to rebuild his squad. He spent nearly £150 million on Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endō and Ryan Gravenberch, adding quality and depth to a squad that finished the previous Premier League season really strongly, securing European football.
What were the expectations for the season? The Premier League title, ultimately, but everyone knew that this would be a big ask given the gulf between Liverpool and Manchester City the previous year. Champions League football, though – that had to be the minimum.
As August rolled around, there was an air of cautious optimism around Anfield. With Jurgen Klopp in charge, anything could happen…
August
Results
Premier League
13 August 2023 Chelsea 1–1 Liverpool FC D
19 August 2023 Liverpool FC 3–1 Bournemouth W
27 August 2023 Newcastle United 1–2 Liverpool FC W
It was a tricky start to the season. Chelsea away for the first game, no matter what sort of Chelsea you find yourself up against, is not the ideal start for any team – especially when they have a new manager (which seems to be most seasons…) But Liverpool played well in a great match with both sides going for the win. Luis Diaz scored to put Liverpool ahead, but Chelsea equalised before half time. In the end, the points were spared.
In the first home match day of the season, things got off to a bad start when Bournemouth went into an early lead, but it ended up comfortably-ish in the end. Mac Allister had a home debut to forget, getting sent off early in the second half.
Next up was a candidate for the result of the season. A win away at Newcastle is a good result at the best of times, but to have done it when they played with 10 men for the majority of the match, following van Dijk’s sending off. A superb Darwin Núñez late double sealed an unlikely victory and sent the Reds fans into raptures.
September
Results
Premier League
3 September 2023 Liverpool FC 3–0 Aston Villa W
16 September 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–3 Liverpool FC W
24 September 2023 Liverpool FC 3–1 West Ham United W
30 September 2023 Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Liverpool FC L
The good form continued. Liverpool made light work of Aston Villa in the first game of the month – a comfortable 3-0 was a result that looked better and better as the season went on. A cracking goal from Dominik Szoboszlai set the ball rolling. That was followed up with an away win, again against Midlands opposition, and again they came from behind with two late goals sealing the win.
If they were ‘just about’ getting the job done away from home, they were incredibly comfortable at Anfield. A 3-1 win against West Ham was pretty straightforward, a late Jota goal putting an air of dominance on the scoreline.
Then came the first defeat, and certainly the most controversial match, of the season. It was an absolute farce at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The sendings off were controversial, but the absolute scandal was the Luis Diaz disallowed goal – only ruled out because of a miscommunication between the officials. The incident highlighted a major flaw in the VAR process (namely, the people running it), and it cost Liverpool this match. The late, late own goal by Joel Matip was unfortunate, and not what Liverpool deserved, having defended so bravely with 9 men, and a burning sense of injustice.
On a brighter note, the League Cup campaign got underway in September, with a decent 3-1 home win against eventual Championship champions, Leicester. Again, Liverpool showed their resilience by coming from behind to get the win.
October
Results
Premier League
8 October 2023 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Liverpool FC D
21 October 2023 Liverpool FC 2–0 Everton W
29 October 2023 Liverpool FC 3–0 Nottingham Forest W
October started with a decent point away at Brighton, who were still deciding whether they were going to really challenge the top teams, or fade back towards mid-table. In those early parts of the season, they were a major threat to the established elite, so a point was a fine result.
This was followed up with two home wins. The first Merseyside derby of the season ended in a 2-0 win against 10-man Everton. The Toffees had built up a bit of a tougher underbelly with Sean Dyche as their manager, and they made Liverpool work hard for the win. Mo Salah scored a late double to secure the win. A 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest completed the month. Liverpool were 4th in the table, but just three points off the leaders – who were Tottenham, frustratingly given the match in September.
November
Results
Premier League
5 November 2023 Luton Town 1–1 Liverpool FC D
12 November 2023 Liverpool FC 3–0 Brentford W
25 November 2023 Manchester City 1–1 Liverpool FC D
The month kicked off with a Darwin Núñez goal that clinched a win in the League Cup, away to Bournemouth, as they progressed to the quarter finals.
Back in the Premier League and a late, late Luis Diaz goal rescued a point away at Luton – a team that were surprising a few teams, but that was still seen as two points dropped by Liverpool. This was followed by another routine home win, this time against Brentford and with Mo Salah bagging another brace.
Then there was the meeting of the top two in the Premier League, as they travelled to the Etihad Stadium to face Man City. It wasn’t a classic match, but Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener to give Liverpool a well-earned point. Another unbeaten month, and those Premier League title dreams were starting to get rekindled…
December
Results
Premier League
3 December 2023 Liverpool FC 4–3 Fulham W
6 December 2023 Sheffield United 0–2 Liverpool FC W
9 December 2023 Crystal Palace 1–2 Liverpool FC W
17 December 2023 Liverpool FC 0–0 Manchester United D
23 December 2023 Liverpool FC 1–1 Arsenal D
26 December 2023 Burnley 0–2 Liverpool FC W
Being unbeaten in November is one thing. Going through December without losing (and only dropping four points) is the sort of thing that puts you right in the title race!
There had been many comfortable home wins in the season – Fulham at home was not one of them! It was a fantastic match, with stunning goals (especially Mac Allister’s), and late drama. 3-2 down with three minutes left, Liverpool hit an incredible double in two minutes to win the match 4-3. Grit, determination, quality, flair – it was all on show in this performance.
Sheffield United away was slightly less stressful, but only really secured by a very late Szoboszlai goal. Another late show was required at Crystal Palace – 1-0 down with 15 minutes remaining, Mo Salah levelled up, before Harvey Elliot scored in injury time to win the game. This Liverpool team just did not know when to give up.
A goalless draw with Man United was followed by a 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Two decent results, from two tricky games at a frantic time of the season. In between these matches, they eased into the semi finals of the League Cup with an emphatic 5-1 win against West Ham.
The year finished with a 2-0 away win against Burnley. It was Diogo Jota’s turn to score a late goal in this one!
In the background, they had comfortably progressed out of the Europa League group stages, with four wins and two defeats from their group games, finishing top of the group without too much bother.
January
Results
Premier League
1 January 2024 Liverpool FC 4–2 Newcastle United W
21 January 2024 Bournemouth 0–4 Liverpool FC W
31 January 2024 Liverpool FC 4–1 Chelsea W
The new year started with a bang. Mo Salah signed off in style, before he made his way over to represent Egypt at the AFCON. He managed to shake off an early penalty miss by scoring a couple of goals (the second a penalty), in a match that somehow was goalless in the first half, only to explode with goals in the second. In truth, it was only an inspired performance from Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal that kept his side in the contest for so long, but in the end, the pressure told.
This was followed by a fantastic win away at Arsenal in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. Two late goals (again), but it was an excellent win against an excellent side. They won again in the fourth round of the FA Cup later in the month – a more comfortable home win against Norwich City.
A thumping 4-0 away win at Bournemouth was followed by a thumping 4-1 home win against Chelsea – while they also beat Fulham over two legs in the League Cup semi final. They were going to Wembley. What a successful and positive month….
However, a bombshell was dropped. From a great height.
On the 26th of January, 2024, Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be stepping down as Liverpool Football Club manager. It seemed to come out of nowhere (no mean feat in the days of social media, constant rumours, leaks and Fabrizio Romano) and it sent shockwaves, not just through Liverpool city centre, but throughout the entire football world. He’d transformed the club from top to bottom, was the first manager to win the league since Kenny Dalglish and had won the hearts and minds of the (red half of the) city. Whatever happened for the rest of the season, this was devastating for many Liverpool fans.
February
Results
Premier League
4 February 2024 Arsenal 3–1 Liverpool FC L
10 February 2024 Liverpool FC 3–1 Burnley W
17 February 2024 Brentford 1–4 Liverpool FC W
21 February 2024 Liverpool 4–1 Luton Town FC W
February got off to a rough start with a 3-1 loss to Arsenal. The catalyst was an uncharacteristic mistake from Allison, followed by another one. It was disappointing, but this was Liverpool’s first defeat in the Premier League since September, which was also in North London. No cause for panic.
They didn’t panic – they responded with win after win. Three in the league, against Burnley, Brentford and Luton – scoring 11 and conceding 3 in those games.
The highlight of the month, though, was the League Cup final at Wembley. It was a tense match, and it took 118 minutes for the deadlock to be broken – Virgil van Dijk did the honours, and ensured that Klopp’s final season would have some silverware in it. It couldn’t end any other way.
They also progressed to the quarter finals of the FA Cup, with a 3-0 home win against Southampton.
March
Results
Premier League
2 March 2024 Nottingham Forest 0–1 Liverpool W
10 March 2024 Liverpool 1–1 Manchester City D
31 March 2024 Liverpool 2–1 Brighton & Hove Albion W
The month started with controversy. Darwin Nunez scored the winner in the ninth minute of injury time against Forest, who were incensed that the referee had restarted the game with a drop ball to Liverpool shortly before. It was another mess from the officials. Liverpool will feel that they did nothing wrong, but that will be scant consolation to Forest! But Liverpool left with three points, keeping their title hopes alive.
A huge title clash followed against Man City, but it was a game that neither side wanted to lose, so a 1-1 draw seemed okay for everyone. Then later in the month, going a goal down to Brighton in the second minute was overcome with goals from Diaz and Salah.
There were mixed results in the cups. In the Europa League, Sparta Prague were dispatched 11-2 on aggregate, sending Liverpool to the quarter finals. However, the quarter finals of the FA Cup, there was heartbreak at Old Trafford – a goal in injury time of extra time gave Man United the win, eliminating Liverpool from the competition.
April
Results
Premier League
4 April 2024 Liverpool 3–1 Sheffield United W
7 April 2024 Manchester United 2–2 Liverpool D
14 April 2024 Liverpool 0–1 Crystal Palace L
21 April 2024 Fulham 1–3 Liverpool W
24 April 2024 Everton 2–0 Liverpool L
27 April 2024 West Ham United 2–2 Liverpool FC D
April is so often the month that can make or break a title challenge. It was the month that broke Liverpool’s.
It started okay – a 3-1 home win against relegation-doomed Sheffield United with goals from Nunez, Mac Allister and Gakpo. A few days later, Mo Salah rescued a point with a late penalty against Man United. A draw away to United would normally be okay, but given the state of the United team this season, plus the stage of the season, this was a costly two points dropped.
It was the start of the worst week of the season. A week that would ultimately question the logic of Klopp announcing his retirement so early in the season – did his team lose focus?
A 3-0 home loss in the quarter final of the Europa League against Atalanta was disastrous, and proved to be fatal to their participation in the competition – it was too much to turn around in the second leg.
Then, three days later, a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace all but finished any aspirations of winning the Premier League title. The ball just would not go in the net that day, and they were sloppy at the back. It didn’t help that Palace had suddenly morphed into 1970 Brazil for the last couple of months of the season.
A 3-1 away win to Fulham briefly changed the feeling around the club, but a 2-0 loss to Everton undid all of that. Liverpool have beaten much better Everton sides over the years, but it seemed like Everton wanted it more on the night. Liverpool had lost their way.
On the plus side, that was to be the last defeat of the season. A 2-2 draw away at West Ham finished the month with an air of respectability.
May
Results
Premier League
5 May 2024 Liverpool 4–2 Tottenham Hotspur W
13 May 2024 Aston Villa 3–3 Liverpool D
19 May 2024 Liverpool 2–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers W
There was nothing but pride to play for in May. Third place, and Champions League football, had been all-but secured, so these games were more of a farewell tour for the outgoing manager. At the very least, they provided some entertainment.
4-0 up at home to Spurs, they decided to make things interesting by conceding two goals. And then 3-1 up away at Villa, they decided to share the points by conceding two late goals. Then came Wolves at home – Klopp’s final game. Wolves had a man sent off early on, which made things very comfortable. A 2-0 win, and a fitting send off for a manager that had given so much to, not just a football club, but to an entire city.
Liverpool FC Season Review In Brief
Champions League football and a trophy. I’m sure most Liverpool fans would have taken that at the start of the season. I doubt, however, that any would have been happy if you’d have told them that it was to be Jurgen Klopp’s final contribution to the club.
His legacy will live on forever – he changed the club for the better, and you can’t ask any more from the manager than that. It’s wonderful that he went out on his terms, but he has left such big shoes to fill. We’ve seen how Arsenal and Man United struggled to replace a managerial great, and Klopp is certainly amongst those. How will Liverpool cope without him?
The pleasing thing is that he has left them in a good state. He hasn’t relied heavily on a team full of aging stars that are coming to the end of their careers. There are a few that will move on, but the core of the squad can remain, leaving the next manager, Arne Slot, room to put his stamp on the club, without having to rip it all up and start again.
The 2023-24 season was a good one for Liverpool, but there is an overriding sadness that will always be attached to it, and a sense of what could have been. In any other era, surely Klopp would have won an awful lot more…?
Official Liverpool Hospitality Packages
We can’t wait to see what the next chapter of the story of Liverpool Football Club has in store. We’re sure you feel the same, and that you’ll want to be there to witness it in person. The good news is that we will be able to help you out in that regard – with Liverpool hospitality tickets.
We have a range of packages available, here are a couple of our favourites:
Brodies Lounge
You’ll have access to this lively sports bar for up to three hours before kick off, meaning you can take advantage of the renowned Liverpool FC hospitality in this new and exclusive lounge. Here you’ll find an extensive range of complimentary street food, as well as a dedicated bar (with much smaller queues!), and a lively atmosphere as you mingle with other fans.
The Liverpool FC match breaks up the frivolity as it’s time for the serious business of supporting the team. You’ll have an executive padded seat in the brand new Anfield Road Stand. You’ll get a complimentary drink at half time too.
After the game, you can head back to the lounge for another hour while you wait for the traffic to die down. It’s a wonderful place to spend some time with fellow fans, and you may even meet a former Liverpool legend.
Anfield Beat Lounge
Here you will enjoy access to the Shanks or Paisley Suite before the game (up to three hours again), where you will enjoy a two course extensive buffet, serving hot and cold food, as well as access to the exclusive bars there.
For the match, you’ll have executive seats in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand upper – incredible views of the pitch. At half time, you will be offered tea or coffee.
You can get back into your lounge for an hour after the final whistle, and you’ll also receive a matchday programme.
If you are interested in securing Liverpool tickets, all you need to do is have a look through the list of Liverpool Football Club fixtures here, and pick out the ones you want to attend. Then get in touch with us and we can take care of the rest. We have tickets available for all Liverpool FC home games – Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and League Cup.
The ground is easily accessible from Liverpool Lime street station and Liverpool Central station, but if you need any help planning your day, we will happily help you out.
