1/10 As football fans we have to step back and appreciate what Liverpool have done. They built this team with mostly 5th highest wages in the league. That's the equivalent of Sevilla in Spanish league or Wolfsburg in German league.

2/10 Their net spend was similarly lowest over last 6 years compared to their peers. They got 99 points on the board despite this. That's extraordinary. How did they do this?
1. Klopp: A manager who played exciting but also efficient football that made him punch above his weight.

3/10 Klopp had already won the league versus an overwhelmingly rich competitor. That talent and experience was to prove invaluable. He also adapted to rotation and changed his system every year to become better which meant he was only stubborn to a degree and willing to learn.

4/10 2. Who they bought: They bought players they needed for the system and could add value immediately even if they had to spend serious money compared to their history. They had a famously leaky defense and they paid top money to fix it with Van Dijk and Alisson.

5/10 They combined that with many players that in retrospect were absolute bargains. The right player for the system not the best player based on precedence or value of deal. If you look at how many players don't work out (Pepe Ndombele Sanchez) it's amazing how well they bought.

6/10 Almost everyone worked out. If I had to guess there was a rare alignment of minds between manager & owner, made easier by the points Klopp kept putting on the board. If you're manager is doing well back him. That's simple in concept but done far less often than it should be.

7/10 Pochettino wasn't backed when he put points on the board. Ole keeps getting backed even though he's stuck on 66 points per year.
3. When they bought: Unlike Spurs who only buy when they're in trouble Liverpool bought when they had momentum.

8/10 This can mean everything & for this the owners get credit. This doesn't mean the owners took a risk. It means owners understand the value of glory to the brand & knew they had to go for it & took smart risks: Like backing a good manager when richer clubs were in turmoil.

9/10 They're not too different from Spurs' owners in prudence. The difference is they're from a sporting business which has won before. So they understand the best way to save money is when you're on the up. Not when you're on the way down. That mentality can be everything.

10/10 Ultimately the message is of hope. In a world where you should finish where your wages are, if you get the right manager, the owner's willingness to go for the kill when it's the right time & buy smart & well, you can win the league. You don't always have to buy silverware.