The year 2023 was undoubtedly interesting for Liverpool, but there are a few things you may have forgotten, either by choice or due to the year’s tumult – so let’s go back in time!
Another year has passed; where has the time gone?
Throughout 2023, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have faced highs and lows, tearful farewells, referee spats, and unlikely injuries.
While certain memories may be fresh in your mind, others may have become dusty, so here are some things you may have forgotten.
Klopp’s hamstring has snapped
Some may have labeled the manager’s celebrations as “instant karma” after he went directly to the fourth official after Diogo Jota scored the dramatic late victory against Tottenham.
The injury reflected how he lives and breathes every kick and decision when his team is playing, so much so that he was added to the expanding injured list at the time!
Even with the hammy, he was all in on that touchline run.
There will be no away league victory until February 18!
It had been a dreadful start to the season, and Liverpool had to wait until February 18 to win their first away match in the Premier League in 2023, a 2-1 success at Newcastle.
Furthermore, it was only the third away win of the 2022/23 season to that point! Prior to their visit to St James’ Park, the Reds had played ten games on the road.
It’s no surprise that we forgot about it.
Firmino is serenaded by Leicester fans for 20 minutes!
Roberto Firmino’s farewell tour was a representation of what he contributed for the club, and a long and touching serenade rang throughout the stadium for nearly 20 minutes at Leicester.
The Brazilian had no part in proceedings, but that didn’t stop the travelling Kop from showing their appreciation with a fantastic version of ‘Si Senor’.
During the 3-0 victory, the camera panned to a grateful Firmino, and his teammates pushed him forward after the final whistle to join in on the show of appreciation.
Emotional, to say the least.
Under Klopp, the lowest points
We can now look at it positively because of the reversal, but Liverpool finished last season with the fewest points in a whole season under Klopp.
The Reds finished with 67 points, which was enough for a fifth-place finish.
Liverpool has already accumulated 62% of those points after only 19 games this season!
Jota put an end to a 372 day wait for a goal
When we think of Diogo Jota, we think of his ability to score even when he’s been on the outside looking in.
But, in case you forgot, Jota scored his first goals of the 2022/23 season on April 17, against Leeds, ending a 372-day goal drought.
Jota’s previous goal before his brace against Leeds came on April 10, 2022 – a combination of injuries and form led to the extended wait.
Within 14 minutes, we were 2-0 up on Real Madrid!
We wouldn’t blame you if you deliberately blocked this one from your memory!
Liverpool led Real Madrid 2-0 after 14 minutes at Anfield, the atmosphere was fantastic, and everyone was in awe. But we were swiftly pulled back down to earth.
A 5-2 defeat followed, our heaviest-ever home defeat in Europe, and Darwin Nunez’s strike was added to a lengthy list of forgotten goals, which is a crime in and of itself. What could have been.
In games against Chelsea, I went 483 minutes without scoring!
Liverpool and Chelsea have met several times in recent years, but it wasn’t until August when a goal was scored in the match.
Luis Diaz’s goal at Stamford Bridge this season ended a 483-minute wait for a goal for either side, following two 120-minute finals, two league clashes, and an additional 63 minutes of playing time.
I’m not sure about hundreds of minutes; it seemed like thousands!
A linesman elbowed Robertson
While you may not have forgotten that Andy Robertson was elbowed in the chin by linesman Constantine Hatzidakis this year, it is easy to forget.
It happened in April during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, and it seemed incredible that it happened at all, let alone that Robertson was issued a yellow card immediately after.
Hatzidakis was placed on leave while an investigation was conducted; he apologized, and no further action was taken. A rather strange combination of events.
Liverpool went 346 minutes without scoring in the Premier League!
You know how we said it was a bad start to the year? Well, it’s easy to forget that Liverpool went 346 minutes without scoring in the league.
Following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal against Brentford on January 2, the Reds’ next league goal came 37 minutes later against Everton – there were three games between the derby and the trip to Brentford.
Liverpool lost 3-0 against Brighton, drew 0-0 with Chelsea, and then fell 3-0 to Wolves. In all honesty, it was a run we didn’t want to remember!
The squad traveled to Barcelona
Not a bad way to recollect on the anniversary of that encounter versus the Catalan giants!
In May, the Liverpool squad jetted off together for a timely farewell to the likes of Firmino and James Milner, where they enjoyed meals, the pool, and bike rides.
So healthy.