In the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s fifth European Cup in 2005, there was a desire to use victory as a platform for a new era of Anfield success. Although Liverpool won the FA Cup in 2006 and attracted stars of the calibre of Fernando Torres, it never materialised as a club takeover ended in near-catastrophe.

Chris Bascombe assesses how and why number six can and will be different for the class of 2019. What must Liverpool do next?

Make Jurgen Klopp a willing Anfield hostage for the next ten years

For as long as owners Fenway Sports Group run Liverpool Football Club – and there is no suggestion they are under pressure from their US shareholders to think about cashing in their chips yet – they will want Jurgen Klopp to be Liverpool’s figurehead.

That would have been the case with or without victory on Saturday, but the win over Tottenham Hotspur gave permanence to the bond between the manager, club and supporters. This unity is rare, it is precious and it not easily found. It must be preserved, whatever the cost.

We have already reached a point where it is impossible to imagine anyone other than Klopp managing Liverpool, or indeed the German coach finding the level of control and adulation – combined with competitive levels of resource to grow the side – anywhere else. He is responsible for stimulating the passion that first made Liverpool an elite club.