9th January 17

So belatedly, here are my five favourite Liverpool FC games of 2016.

5. Liverpool 6-1 Watford

Liverpool's most emphatic win of 2016. Whilst there were more important wins, such as against Chelsea or City, there were few that were as satisfying. Liverpool had been in good form going into the Watford game, but had not quite yet hit the heights that their form had threatened. But that changed, as they utterly demolished Watford, with all of the big guns on the scoresheet. Mane headed in the opener and added the 5th on the hour mark; Coutinho slammed in a Coutinho special; and Firmino secured a goal for himself as well as a couple of assists. Emre Can also netted his second goal in as many games with a deft header, and Gini Wijnaldum added his first goal for the club late on, benefiting from an explosive cameo from Daniel Sturridge. This was Liverpool at their clinical best, and signaled the culmination of arguably their best run of 2016. 

4. Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

A stunning game of football. Overall Liverpool were actually quite poor, with a wretched opening 45 minutes, and after moving 4-1 up, the Reds took their foot off the pedal and let Arsenal into the game. But when the Reds were good, they were red hot, and this was Phillipe Coutinho at his absolute best. His stunning free kick remains one of the best goals that Liverpool scored in 2016 to level right on half time and Liverpool ripped Arsenal apart at the start of the second half, with Lallana and Coutinho putting the Reds in firm control of the match. And then we got Sadio Mane's first goal in a Liverpool shirt, and what a goal it was too. A stunning solo goal, to put Liverpool 4-1 up against Arsenal. Fantastic stuff, even if we imploded slightly afterwards. 

3. Norwich 4-5 Liverpool 

This was an absolutely ridiculous match of football. It had all started so well for Klopp's Reds as Bobby Firmino gave us the lead. But then we imploded in spectacular style, as Norwich scored three times, including a penalty ten minutes after half time, to move 3-1 up. With Liverpool looking all over the shop, suddenly everything changed. Henderson pulled one back straight away, Firmino got his second and with 15 minutes left, James Milner scored what looked like the winning goal. Then things got even more bonkers. Norwich equalised in the 92nd minute, to secure what looked to be a vital point for the Canaries. Then Adam Lallana stepped up in minute 95 and slammed a stunning volley past the goalkeeper to send the travelling fans bonkers. Pandemonium and it was one of the games that marked a shift in certain Liverpool players careers. Lallana, Firmino and Klopp's system of attacking were all birthed in this fixture. Madness. And all without Phillipe Coutinho.

2. Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal

This one has to be on here, as it was a systematic dissection of one of Spain's best teams. After a wretched away leg, which Liverpool lost 1-0 after playing for a draw, there was no room for error for Klopp's side. One away goal could kill them off. But fortunately, no errors were made by Klopp or his team. After weeks of clamouring, Daniel Sturridge was given a starting berth, which he rewarded with Liverpool's second goal just after the hour mark, following an own goal from Bruno Soriano. There was still a hint of danger about the suggestion of a Villarreal away goal, but the danger was only ever on the scoresheet, as the Reds kept the yellow submarine more than at arms length. And before the end, even the notion of an away goal was no longer threatening, as Adam Lallana made it 3-0, and Liverpool were home and hosed. A stunning performance against class opposition, which gave LFC their second cup final of 2016. 

1. Liverpool 4-3 Dortmund

Could it ever have been anything else? 2-0 and then 3-1 down, needing to win the game in 90 minutes in order to negate Dortmund's away goals advantage, Liverpool produced the most extraordinary comeback, and one of their most exciting and stunning home games in years. Mhkitaryan and Aubameyang ran riot early on, as Liverpool's hopes of overturning one of the best sides in European football looked nothing short of deluded. 

Shortly after half time, Divock Origi justified his starting position by scoring a brilliant counter-attack goal to make it 2-1, but shortly before the hour mark Marco Reus looked to kill the game again. Liverpool looked sunk. But then Phil Coutinho scoring a trademark slamming goal from the edge of the box to make it 3-2, and Mamadou Sakho headed the Reds level. A real sense of possibility. And then, in stoppage time, James Milner was able to dig out a cross, and Dejan Lovren scored the resulting header. 

This was a sensational, phenomenal comeback against one of the best sides in Europe, a better side than LFC. It was a magnificent feat of sheer willpower, as Anfield rocked and Dortmund capitulated under the pressure of one of Europe's best stadiums in full flow, and Liverpool were an irresistible juggernaut. It looked impossible. But Liverpool did it. And that's LFC all over. 

The Hard and Fast Section

• Robshaw out the Six Nations. Body blow.
• All the big sides into the next round. Except...
• Murray loses Qatar Final. Novak flying. 
• Morgan claims family affected by criticism. Harsh.