It had all looked set to end so perfectly.
Ever since Jurgen Klopp announced his shock decision to leave Liverpool after nine glittering and transformative years, Reds supporters had penned Wednesday, May 22 in their diary.
For that is the date of the Europa League final in Dublin, a city with significant cultural and emotional ties to Liverpool.
The memory of Klopp lifting up the only trophy he is yet to win in his final game in charge, before heading off into the sunset is the sort of thing dreams are made of.