No fairytale finish. No dramatic late twist in the tale.

Anfield was resigned to its fate long before the curtain came down on the 2013-14 season.

Liverpool kept their end of the bargain by beating nine-man Newcastle United but the shock Kopites craved at the Etihad wasn't forthcoming as Manchester City held their nerve to clinch the Premier League crown.

The sense of deflation around Anfield was tangible. The pursuit of the Holy Grail will stretch into a 25th year.
The history books will show that just a fortnight earlier Brendan Rodgers' side had been sat on the summit in control of their own destiny.

And that with immortality beckoning, Liverpool allowed a golden opportunity to slip through their grasp.

Yet within seconds of the final whistle the overwhelming emotion wasn't one of sadness or regret at what might have been but instead it was one of pride.

As Steven Gerrard led his team on the traditional end-of-season lap of honour the atmosphere was transformed from a wake into a celebration.

A full house stood to pay homage to those who had provided them with memories which will last a lifetime. It has been some ride.

'Make Us Dream' read the banner which has accompanied Liverpool on this thrilling journey over the past nine months and Rodgers' men have certainly done that.

Yes, they stumbled with the finish line in sight but the fact they remained in the race for so long was a remarkable achievement.

Amidst the heartache, perspective is vital. Liverpool began the campaign as outsiders for a top-four finish, they ended it as runners-up and just two points adrift of the champions.

All expectations were exceeded playing a breathtaking brand of attacking football which yielded 101 league goals - Liverpool's best tally since 1896.

From the 5-0 demolition of Spurs at White Hart Lane to the 4-0 thrashing of Everton in the Anfield derby.

No-one will ever forget the scintillating manner in which Arsenal, league leaders at the time, were blown away in those electrifying opening 20 minutes of a 5-1 triumph.

How about the 3-0 cruise at Old Trafford and the stunning 3-2 win over City on the day Anfield fell silent to remember the 96. The highlights reel is endless.

Following seventh, sixth, eighth and seventh placed finishes, Rodgers has broken that run of bleak mediocrity and put Liverpool back where they belong competing for the big prizes.

The club's painful five-year absence from Europe's elite has been ended in style.

No wonder the manager's name was chanted fervently by the Kop, who showed their appreciation for the turnaround he has overseen.

This revolution hasn't been carried out with the blank chequebook available to Manuel Pellegrini but through a style and team ethic which has ensured the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Rodgers has rolled back the years and turned Anfield once again into an arena where opponents fear to tread. Just eight points were dropped on home turf all season.

The boss has elevated Luis Suarez, whose 31 goals equalled the Premier League record, to world class status.

The Uruguayan, who dazzled throughout with his jaw-dropping quality, has formed the most prolific double act in European football with Daniel Sturridge.

Rodgers' faith in youth has been richly rewarded with the contribution of Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan, while Jordan Henderson has been transformed from bit-part player into midfield linchpin.

The manager's reinvention of Steven Gerrard from marauding midfielder into deep-lying playmaker proved to be a masterstroke.The skipper has been as influential this term as he has ever been. The agony of missing out on the one major trophy which has eluded him will hit him harder than anyone.

Gerrard wanted it so much and cruelly it was his slip against Chelsea which will be pinpointed as the moment the title race turned.

Yet that's not the image Kopites will take from this season. Instead they will remember his inspirational leadership and his commanding presence in leading a young, inexperienced line up to the brink of greatness.

No-one in the top flight created more than his 13 assists and his haul of 13 league goals was his best since 2008-09.

This wasn't one final shot at the title for Gerrard with Rodgers adamant he still has two or three years left at the highest level.

The challenge now is to ensure the foundations laid this term are built on and that the lessons of this term are learned.

Ultimately, a lack of depth cost Liverpool. When some understandably ran out of gas, there was nothing in reserve.

Man City were able to throw on £75million worth of talent, while Rodgers had to turn to the likes of Victor Moses and Iago Aspas.

The defensive frailties, which saw Liverpool leak 50 league goals, also must be addressed this summer.

Their rivals will strengthen and the bar will be raised. When the Reds finished runners-up under Gerard Houllier in 2002 and under Rafa Benitez in 2009 they failed to kick on. Money was squandered on the likes of El Hadji Diouf and Alberto Aquilani.

The club's return to the Champions League should at least ensure they are shopping for quality.

They trailed midway through the first half when Martin Skrtel turned Yoan Gouffran's cross into his own net and news of Samir Nasri's goal at the Etihad darkened the mood further.

Once Vincent Kompany put City out of sight, the race was run but to their credit Liverpool picked themselves up and hit back to secure the win required to finish ahead of Chelsea.

Agger hooked in Gerrard's free-kick and then the skipper's set-piece prowess put one on a plate for Sturridge.

Newcastle imploded with Shola Ameobi dismissed before Paul Dummett harshly saw red after tangling with Suarez.

Victory was hollow but Rodgers and his players can stand tall. The giant has been awoken.

Source: Liverpool Echo