The 2014-15 season is not likely to be one that lives too long in the memories of both Liverpool and Tottenham supporters.
Both sides began the season with hopes of a top four finish and some silverware, and the simple truth is that both have failed.
Brendan Rodgers has been keen to point out the fact he has been intergrating a host of new summer signings into the side, whilst the permanent loss of Luis Suarez and the temporary but long term loss of Daniel Sturridge has seriously damaged their chances.
Tottenham will also point to the fact that they have had yet another new manager trying to instill a new philosophy during his first season. Yet had it not been for Harry Kane’s goals this season, Pochettino may well have found himself looking for a new job, in the same manner predecessor’s Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood were after similar seasons.
Both sides will be hoping for better next term, and supporters may well spend the summer looking back mournfully on what they used to have.
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Click on Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Pochettino to reveal the best all-time Liverpool and Tottenham combined XI
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Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina was below his usual high standards when Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club, which prompted him to be loaned out to Napoli and then sold to Bayern Munich in the summer.
But when enjoying his best form, Reina was an outstanding servant to Liverpool, commanding his back four and regularly keeping clean sheets.
Reina was the hero in penalty shootouts in both an FA Cup final in 2006, and a Champions League semi final against Chelsea in 2007.
Jamie Carragher
Undoubtedly a Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher won every domestic honour bar the Premier League during his time in the heart of the Liverpool defence.
The vice-captain was a superb leader and organiser and he is only being appreciated for what a top player he was since he has departed.
It was only in 2004 that Carragher was moved to his favoured position of central defence, having played as both a right back, left back, and even a holding midfielder before that for both club and country – proving perfectly capable in each position.
Ledley King
Tottenham and England fans are sadly left to wonder just what might have been had Ledley King not struggled so badly with injuries.
Nobody who knew King or who played alongside him at any level could speak highly enough of him. He was a natural leader, and a powerful athlete.
Despite his injury problems, King still proved a giant for Tottenham, and provided stability for the club in times of turmoil and managerial change.
He still represents the club as an ambassador, having been forced to take an early retirement from football almost two years ago.
Sami Hyppia
Liverpool fans have realised over the past couple of seasons how truly spoilt they were to have a centre back partnership of Sami Hyppia and Jamie Carragher for so long.
The big Finnish defender was a superb leader for the Reds for so long – strong, powerful and an excellent reader of the game. He will be remembered as one of the best Premier League bargains of all time, having joined the Reds for just £2.3million from Dutch outfit Willem II in 1999.
He also produced some vital goals during Liverpool career as well, including three in Champions League quarter-finals.
Jan Vertonghen
The Belgian has established himself as one of the most important players at Tottenham, since signing from Ajax in the summer of 2012.
Capable of playing at both centre back and left back, Vertonghen is a classy defender and a natural leader.
He has however been consistently linked with a move away from White Hart Lane over the past 12 months, and the lack of Champions League football on offer at Spurs next season will surely see him linked once more.
Steven Gerrard
Just 24 days remain of Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool career, with the 34-year-old set to bow out on May 25th – 10 years to the day of that heroic performance in Istanbul, in which the Reds claimed their fifth European Cup against the odds.
That – and the fact Gerrard remains the only player to have scored in the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup final – will be his legacy, despite the fact he has struggled to return to his brilliant best this season.
He will still depart the club a legend, and one of the finest Premier League players of all time.
Luka Modric
He has the look of a small witch, and Modric was more than capable of coming up with some magic moments during his time in the heart of Tottenham’s midfield.
His signing proved a masterstroke from Harry Redknapp, as the Croatian starred in a side that played some excellent attacking football – and managed to break into the top four and enjoy Champions League football against all odds.
Modric moved to Real Madrid in a deal worth £30million in the summer of 2012, making the club a profit of almost £20million.
Xabi Alonso
Many believe it took Liverpool a good three to four years to get over the loss of Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard was forced out by Rafael Benitez in the summer of 2009 and Liverpool were never the same side.
His performances for Spain and Real Madrid since have proven it was simply madness to ever allow him to leave Anfield, whilst he has since completed a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
At his best, Alonso was perhaps the best passer in the Premier League. Whilst himself in a midfield alongside Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano left Liverpool fans certain they boasted ‘the greatest midfield in the world’, according to a song sung by the Kop.
Luis Suarez
Liverpool have struggled to get over the loss of Luis Suarez only last summer, as the Uruguayan fired 31 goals and provided 12 assists to take the Reds to within touching distance of the Premier League title last season.
He may have been controversial, but at his brilliant best there were few capable of handling him.
He has started to prove himself a major success at Barcelona since his £75million move last summer, with four goals in his last four Champions League matches going a long way to setting up a mouth watering semi final against Bayern Munich.
Fernando Torres
Prior to his £50million move to Chelsea in January 2011, Fernando Torres was considered one of the most feared strikers in Europe.
The Spaniard managed 83 goals in three and a half seasons as a Liverpool player, many of which were vital and spectacular.
He was used to producing on the big stage, with goals in famous victories over Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Arsenal in the Champions League, as well as key strikes in triumphs over rivals such as Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea on the domestic stage.
Gareth Bale
The man who currently holds the title of the most expensive player in world football.
Gareth Bale carried Tottenham almost single-handedly for three seasons, scoring no shortage of spectacular goals during his spell in north London.
He left the club for a world record £86million in the summer of 2013 for Real Madrid, and went on to win the Champions League in his debut season.
