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As we approach the year’s end, ECHO writers will look back on 2015 and select their best and worst of the last 12 months.

Here Liverpool FC reporter James Pearce reflects on the past 12 months for the Reds.

Favourite moment of 2015

It would have to be Martin Skrtel’s emphatic finish and the subsequent celebrations in the 4-1 rout of Manchester City at the Etihad in November.

That was Liverpool’s most complete performance of 2015 as they showcased the impact of new boss Jurgen Klopp. When a corner dropped kindly to him 16 yards out late on, Skrtel thundered an unstoppable piledriver past Joe Hart. It was his first goal for 11 months and the perfect way to break that drought.

The long-serving centre-back slid on his knees in front of the jubilant away end before being engulfed by his team-mates. Not since 1989 had Liverpool won by such a margin on City’s own patch.

Philippe Coutinho’s stunning late winner at Stoke on the opening day of this season is also up there. It was a moment of magic out of keeping with such a dour contest. At the time it was hailed as delivering redemption after what happened at the Britannia Stadium back in May but it soon became clear it wouldn’t be the turning point Brendan Rodgers craved.

Biggest disappointment of 2015

Where do you start? There have certainly been plenty more lows than highs this year.

The home defeat to Manchester United back in March was bleak - that was the day when the Reds’ spirited revival under Rodgers bit the dust.

Then there was the 4-1 hiding at Arsenal following the desperate FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa at Wembley.

Fast forward to this season and the setbacks at home to West Ham and away to United were painful to watch.

However, the biggest disappointment for me was the manner in which Rodgers’ side capitulated during the final days of Steven Gerrard’s illustrious Liverpool career. Gerrard deserved so much better and was badly let down by those around him.

As if the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in his Anfield swan-song wasn’t bad enough, what followed at Stoke was shameful. I’d never seen a Liverpool team effectively throw in the towel like they did that afternoon.

Best game of 2015

The 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Anfield back in March was great. I didn’t give Liverpool much hope that day against a City side looking to step up their title charge. An early kick-off on the Sunday was hardly ideal considering the Reds had just been knocked out of the Europa League by Besiktas and only returned home from Istanbul in the early hours of Friday.

But Liverpool delivered against the odds and pulled off one of the best victories of Rodgers’ reign. Both goals were of the highest quality with Jordan Henderson’s curler followed by Coutinho’s unstoppable winner.

The 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge in October was sweet, especially considering the misery Jose Mourinho had inflicted on Liverpool in recent years. Klopp did a job on Moutinho that day.

In terms of a game having the ‘wow’ factor, nothing comes close to the manner in which Liverpool dismantled Man City last month. Only the heroics of Hart kept the score down as the Reds purred as an attacking force.

Before his arrival Liverpool had won just one of their 14 previous league visits to City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. That night made it two out of two under Klopp,

Worst game of 2015

Bolton at home in the FA Cup was awful and so was the goalless derby stalemate at Goodison in February when neither side lay a hand on the other. The Europa League group games both home and away to FC Sion were instantly forgettable.

In terms of Liverpool being at their worst, it has to be the 6-1 humiliation at Stoke on the final of last term. The mood was funereal as a desperate season reached a shambolic conclusion.

Not since Tottenham thrashed Bill Shankly’s team 7-2 at White Hart Lane in April 1963 had Liverpool taken that kind of hiding. Five times in the space of 23 minutes Stoke gleefully profited from Liverpool’s inability to do even the basics right.

In terms of covering the Reds, special moment must go to the night when Europa League were knocked out of the Europa League by Besiktas.

Liverpool’s return to the Ataturk Stadium 10 years after the Miracle of Istanbul turned into a personal nightmare. Not only did it go to extra-time and penalties, but I spent most of the evening getting pelted with Turkish phlegm from supporters in the tier above. Their accuracy was impressive as my laptop took a battering.

Player of the Year

There aren’t many contenders. Simon Mignolet enjoyed an excellent second half of last season but some costly errors so far this term have re-ignited the debate over his future.

Jordan Henderson continues to make big strides forward and fully deserved the honour of being appointed as Steven Gerrard’s successor as captain. He was sorely missed earlier this season when heel and foot injuries sidelined him for three months.

However, Liverpool’s outstanding performer in 2015 has to be Philippe Coutinho. The Reds are at their best when the little Brazilian is pulling the strings.

Coutinho’s return of eight goals last term was his best for the club and he has pocketed five already this time around, including a couple of Goal of the Season contenders.

He has the ability to frustrate and thrill in equal measure, and his form dipped alarmingly earlier this season. But he remains a class act and Liverpool did well to get him tied down to a new long-term deal.

Hopes for 2016

I hope that Jurgen Klopp is give the time, money and patience required to get Liverpool back to where they want to be.

Within touching distance of the top four and still in three cup competitions at the turn of the year, the Reds have a great platform to build on in the second half of the season. Securing a Champions League spot and winning a trophy are realistic targets.

It’s clear the squad needs strengthening going forward and I hope Fenway Sports Group back Klopp in the transfer market. Liverpool’s recruitment has been poor in recent years and they did to put that right in 2016.

One real positive from Klopp’s appointment has been the manner in which he has united a fanbase which was so divided during the closing months of Rodgers’ reign. That unity is going to be key if Liverpool are going to lift silverware in 2016.