5 Things Learned from Liverpool's 2015/16 Season

Liverpool FC is a football club that has experienced many dramatic highs and crushing lows, and the 2015/16 season was another rollercoaster campaign for the Merseysiders.

Ultimately, it was a season that ended unsuccessfully, finishing eighth in the Premier League, losing two finals and failing to qualify for any European football next season. Take those facts in isolation and it's an unmitigated failure.

But after a change of management just 11 games into the season, we've perhaps learned more from this campaign than any other in recent years, with most things learned pointing at what the future holds.

Twelve months ago, when Liverpool had just finished the campaign with an embarrassing 6-1 final-day defeat at Stoke City, the mood among fans was pretty dire. Optimism was low.

Now, despite finishing the league campaign two places and two points worse off than the previous season, optimism is higher than perhaps it has been any summer since Rafael Benitez's side finished second in 2009.

The arrival of Jurgen Klopp is, of course, the reason for this, and the expectation is that 2016/17 will bring much greater success on the pitch for the Reds.

There's also an expectation that Klopp, having had eight months to assess his squad, will have identified the problems that desperately need addressing and, in many cases, have been glaringly obvious for a season or more.

Every summer, Liverpool fans, like all football fans, discuss where their squad needs strengthening, and the positions of goalkeeper, midfield and left-back have been a recurring theme that former boss Brendan Rodgers failed to address year on year.

With the expected arrival of Loris Karius this week, per Andy Hunter of the Guardian, Klopp is already addressing one of those problem areas. 

Here, we take a look at five things learned from the 2015/16 season for Liverpool.

The Script Isn't Always Written

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Liverpool effectively gave up their domestic campaign following the 3-2 capitulation at Southampton in March, from there on putting all their focus on their UEFA Europa League campaign.

Klopp fielded weakened sides in most of the remaining league games, thinking a top-four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification via the league table was out of reach.

Alas, had Liverpool not squandered a two-goal lead at home to Newcastle United, lost at Swansea City and drawn at West Bromwich Albion, they'd have finished the campaign on 67 points—more than fourth-placed Manchester City.

Klopp perhaps expected the other top-four rivals to be better in the season run-in, and prior to the Europa League final, he spoke of his disappointment at league points dropped.

"When you see how close the table is I think about dropped points and where we would be with three or four more points," he said prior to the West Brom game.

"We will go to the final and see where it ends," he added.

That final ended in defeat, a defeat that didn't look like happening when the Reds led 1-0 at half-time courtesy of Daniel Sturridge's superb effort.

The script that Klopp would lead Liverpool back into the Champions League ahead of his first summer in charge was then ripped up within 18 seconds of the restart as Sevilla outpassed Liverpool and won comfortably in Basel, Switzerland.

The Reds Will Be a Different Proposition Next Season

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Klopp has made two permanent signings so far, both of whom arrive this summer: Joel Matip and Marko Grujic.

Matip, a free transfer signing from German side Schalke 04, stands at 6'3". The 20-year-old Serbian midfielder from Red Star Belgrade, Grujic, stands at 6'2". Imminent third new signing Karius is also 6'2".

Klopp wants more physicality, strength and height in his squad.

Where Rodgers' attention was almost purely on the technical profile of a player, Klopp wants players who can cope with the rigours of Premier League football.

It also aids his style of play to have tall players in defence when opponents go direct in an attempt to combat Liverpool's pressing game.

Liverpool's weakness at set pieces has been exposed all too often in recent years, even during the 2013/14 season. Klopp is already finding solutions.

The manager has indicated his desire to sign at least one winger this summer, which is another area that Rodgers largely overlooked.

Pace and physical presence will be added this summer.

With Klopp planning a brutal pre-season that will involve triple-training sessions, plus the addition of new fitness staff, Liverpool will be a new proposition under the German next season.

Christian Benteke Isn't Suited to Liverpool

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We learned this this season, but most knew it already; Christian Benteke is not suited to Liverpool's style of play.

Almost everybody in England knew this 12 months ago, except for then-Reds boss Rodgers who decided the big Belgian was worth plundering £32.5 million on from Aston Villa.

Quite what Rodgers' plan was remains unclear. Benteke arrived along with £29 million Roberto Firmino, but the Brazilian found himself pushed out wide, where he was clearly not comfortable. Only once Klopp arrived did Firmino thrive.

How Rodgers planned to accommodate Benteke, Sturridge, Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana in the same side is far from clear. Was there ever a plan?

Alas, Benteke was reduced to a peripheral role under Klopp, and his 10-goal return wasn't terrible given his restricted appearances.

But certain displays and moments confirmed that the former Aston Villa man isn't suited to Liverpool, especially under Klopp.

The late misses against Leicester City—when Kasper Schmeichel had gone up for a corner—and against Sunderland, underlined his lack of composure. His failings against Exeter City and at Upton Park against West Ham United in the FA Cup were further confirmation.

Benteke will depart this summer, he'll do well elsewhere, no doubt, but he was never going to work out at Anfield.

Divock Origi Has a Big Future Ahead

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When Divock Origi was struggling to find his feet in a wide role for Rodgers in the Reds' opening Europa League games, not many would have envisaged just how crucial a role he would go on to play for the Reds in the latter stages of the competition.

Indeed, had Origi been fully fit, perhaps the final in Basel may have had a different ending.

The 21-year-old Belgian was another who profited from Klopp's arrival, being used in his correct role and given the confidence to shine as a centre-forward.

Origi also benefited from an injury lay-off at the turn of the year that saw him return after working in the gym to improve his strength.

Goals at home and away against Borussia Dortmund showed his quality, and he was the only player to hit a hat-trick for the club this season—away to Southampton in the Capital One Cup.

The Future Is Bright for Liverpool's Young Players

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2015/16 saw an incredible 19 debutants at Liverpool, nine of whom were players from the club's academy ranks.

While many of these were due to the weakened side chosen against Exeter City in the FA Cup third round, many also got more than just the one appearance and were given a real opportunity.

Midfielder Kevin Stewart started 10 games in total, winger Sheyi Ojo had five starts after returning from loan in January, while Pedro Chirivella and Connor Randall were also given more than the odd game.

Danny Ward made two starts in goal, Cameron Brannagan and Brad Smith made nine and 10 appearances respectively in total.

All of those above perhaps did enough to suggest they have a future at Anfield under Klopp.

Unfortunately, no European football next season means Klopp will require a much smaller squad than this season—where he fielded 39 players in all competitions, 16 more than champions Leicester City.

That means that many of the young players will need to head out on loan, or even be sold, in order to continue their development and not stagnate in under-21s football.

Europa League qualification for next season would at least have given them plenty of playing time again.

To have nine academy players make their debuts for the team is a positive for any club, and it indicates that the future is bright for the Reds' youngsters—whether that be at Anfield or elsewhere.