Now out of the FA Cup, the Europa League remains the last knockout competition Liverpool can win under Jurgen Klopp.
Interestingly, the trophy is the only one Klopp has competed for with the Reds and failed to win. As a result, it would be a fitting end to the German’s tenure to secure it in Dublin on May 22nd.
There has been some debate about whether Dublin would be ready to host the influx of Liverpool fans coming to watch the game. However, the Irish capital is absolutely chock full of Reds as it is. It really would be the perfect place to end Klopp’s reign at Anfield.
First though, Liverpool have to navigate a tough-looking quarter-final with Atalanta. Beyond that lies a potential semi against either Benfica or Marseille. If they do make it through though, Alan Shearer has told The Rest Is Football podcast that he expects the Reds will face Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
“I think there’s every chance they [Liverpool and Leverkusen] could play each other,” said the pundit.
“When everyone has looked at the draws and how it’s worked out, they are probably the outstanding teams aren’t they, those two?”
Liverpool ready for Alonso battle
Obviously, if Liverpool do face-off with Leverkusen in the Europa League final, it will be a game laden with narrative.
As the world knows by now, the Reds are aiming to replace Klopp with Bayer’s current manager Xabi Alonso. What a story it would be if Jurgen faces his successor in his final game as Liverpool boss.
Still, there is a chance that either we still won’t know the new manager by then or that Alonso turns Liverpool down for Bayern.
However, given the update from journalist Fabrizio Romano today, it sounds like things may be settled by the time the end of May rolls around.
Romano has backed Liverpool to engage in a ‘crazy battle’ with Bayern for the Spanish coach next month. Hopefully that will lead to things being settled in good time for the new season.
Should Alonso have turned the Reds down, it shouldn’t add any extra incentive to beat he and his team. Liverpool will want to send Klopp out on a high if they make it to the final.
With Leverkusen remarkably still unbeaten in all competitions this season though, they’d be a tough nut to crack.
There are some who would claim that getting beaten in a European final would actually better sum up Jurgen’s time at Liverpool. The Reds have lost three of them with the 56-year-old at the helm after all. But looking at the teams left, Liverpool have got to fancy themselves. Even against Xabi and his unbeatable boys.