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It was five o'clock on Sunday morning by the time Liverpool's weary players made their way through John Lennon Airport.

The mood following their three-and-a-half hour flight from the Ukrainian capital was predictably funereal. They said their goodbyes and quietly went their separate ways.

A parade which would have brought the city to a standstill was shelved. There was no sixth European Cup to show off to the masses.

Those who are on World Cup duty will have this week off before linking up with their international squads. The rest won't report back to Melwood until the start of July.

The wounds from the defeat to Real Madrid will take some time to heal for players and supporters alike.

Being outplayed by Zinedine Zidane's side would have been easier to stomach, but the manner in which Liverpool were beaten was galling.

From the loss of Mohamed Salah as a result of the shameless skulduggery of Real skipper Sergio Ramos to Loris Karius' excruciating meltdown.

Events in Kiev don't change the fact that 2017/18 was a major step forward for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

This team have created memories that will last a lifetime. Only once in the club's 126-year history have they bettered their tally of 135 goals this season. It proved to be some ride.

But as the dust settles, the focus will turn to what needs to be done this summer in order for Liverpool to finally make that leap from challengers to trophy winners. Klopp's in-tray is bulging.

(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

The keeper situation

Sobbing uncontrollably, Karius was a broken man at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium late on Saturday night.

“I'm infinitely sorry to my team-mates, for you fans, and for all the staff. I know that I messed it up with the two mistakes and let you all down,” he later tweeted.

What Karius needs at the moment is support rather than brickbats. Klopp opted against showing Alberto Moreno the exit door after his similar implosion in the Europa League final two years ago and is likely to adopt the same policy with Karius.

However, Liverpool simply have to spend big on another keeper this summer. They have been looking at someone of the calibre of Alisson or Jan Oblak.

Simon Mignolet won't want to stick around as back-up and Danny Ward will also be desperate to play after a season kicking his heels so Klopp has much to ponder in that department. Adam Bogdan is certain to leave.

Defensive foundations are in place

Anyone questioning the wisdom of splashing out £70million or £80million on a keeper only has to look at the impact of Virgil van Dijk. You get what you pay for and the £75million outlay for the Dutchman was key to Liverpool's march to the Champions League final.

For the first time in years, the Reds have a settled backline. Dejan Lovren was immense against Real Madrid as he helped nullify the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Croatian, who was combative and first to everything, produced the best performance of his Liverpool career.

What a transformation since being hauled off after half an hour at Wembley back in October.

Full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson also delivered on the biggest of stages. They have made those positions their own.

However, buying another centre-back would be a wise move given Joel Matip's injury issues and the fact that Ragnar Klavan will be 33 later this year.

(Image: THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP/Getty Images)

Adding more creativity to his midfield

Naby Keita will arrive from RB Leipzig for £52.75million and the Anfield hierarchy are convinced he will take the Premier League by storm.

Liverpool are also keen to wrap up a deal for £60million rated Lyon attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir. The France international scored 23 goals and provided nine assists this season.

But with Emre Can expected to confirm he's off to Juventus on a free transfer and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain unlikely to play again before November at the earliest, the Reds need more than that.

Adam Lallana was unable to make an impression after replacing Salah in the final. It's been a torrid season for the England international, who started just three matches due to injury.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Buying a centre-forward is a necessity

It was damning that Danny Ings failed to even make the bench in Kiev and Dominic Solanke was an unused substitute.

With the Reds trailing 2-1 with seven minutes to go, Klopp chose to introduce Can instead.

The gulf in class between Roberto Firmino and what Liverpool have as back-up in terms of strikers is far too big.

It's a tricky one because Firmino is a machine. He's robust and plays every week so a potential signing would have to accept he's unlikely to be a regular starter.

But it's a weakness in the squad which needs addressing. Having netted 27 goals during a fine campaign, Firmino failed to produce the goods in the final. After a lively start, the Brazilian faded badly.

Where Real brought on Gareth Bale, Liverpool didn't have an attacker capable of stepping up. You need match-winners in reserve who can come on and make an impact.

Daniel Sturridge will return from his loan but he's not the answer and will be sold. What to do with Divock Origi is trickier as his potential is clear but he hasn't kicked on as expected during his time at Wolfsburg.

(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Sorting out his backroom staff

The shock departure of assistant manager Zeljko Buvac just weeks before the final was an unwelcome distraction.

Liverpool insisted it was down to "personal reasons" and that he was only on leave until the summer, but it looks increasingly unlikely that the Bosnian will return to his post.

The timing was strange given what was at stake and the fact that Klopp and Buvac had worked together for 17 years.

Buvac, who had a big input on tactics and training sessions, had become increasingly distant in team meetings.

Peter Krawietz is more of an analyst so Klopp needs to fill a vacancy for a coach.

It wouldn't be a surprise if he reappointed Pep Lijnders, who left Liverpool earlier this season for a shot at management but recently parted company with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.