Eden Hazard, Sadio Mane and the transfer decision of Real Madrid showing the road traveled between Liverpool

Liverpool never had the slightest danger of seeing one of their stars move this summer.

And winning the Champions League has made the Reds' bosses even safer.

But even if Jurgen Klopp's team ended the season without a trophy, after narrowly missing the Premier League title, the general consensus around Anfield is that the German continues to build something special.

A point and an outstanding Manchester City, arguably the biggest rally ever on British soil, were the only thing to blame Liverpool for his long wait for a league title before his 30th birthday.

But it's easy to forget how much they went under FSG.

From administration to European champions in less than a decade, the race has been incredible.

What makes it even more extraordinary is that if Liverpool reached the Champions League finals two consecutive seasons, before 2017/18, he had once qualified the European elite competition since the departure of Rafa Benitez.

And the signing of Eden Hazard by Real Madrid has only underscored the magnitude of the Liverpool transformation.

Like the Belgian, Reds striker Sadio Mane has often been badociated with a move to Bernabeu.

The Senegalese international has been one of Liverpool's most outstanding players this season, scoring 22 league goals to share the Golden Boot Premier League.

Hazard was equally impressive for Chelsea, scoring 21 goals in all competitions to lead Chelsea to the glory of the Europa League and the Champions League next season.

Mane's form was rewarded with a new long-term contract in November, while the 26-year-old promised his future in Liverpool until 2023.

By contrast, Hazard, 28, did not intend to sign an extension of his contract that was due to expire in 2020 and often fueled such transfer discussions with public flirtation when questioned about his own future.

But this has never prevented Mane's future from being the subject of constant speculation alongside the Chelsea man, with persistent ties to Real Madrid.

After Zinedine Zidane's return to Bernabeu as manager, Mane remained a regular player in the transfer gossip columns.

Marca, the Spanish daily, was the main source of conversation of this kind, often used as a spokesperson by the Bernabeu chiefs.

Last year, there were many suggestions that Zidane wanted Mane before his initial departure from Madrid, Marca even going so far as to claim that the French had phoned the player to inform him of his transfer plans.

But, although Hazard's desire to leave Stamford Bridge is well known, Chelsea has been caught in a difficult bargaining position, made even more difficult by his imminent transfer ban.

After selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus last summer, Hazard would represent the "Galactico" that Real Madrid missed in a tough campaign for him, both nationally and in Europe.

Having reached an agreement for Hazard, it is highly unlikely that they will also act for Mane, since both players play mostly left.

Liverpool is well positioned to keep Mane following the extension of his contract, with no clause in place for Real Madrid to benefit.

Unlike Hazard, the striker showed no desire to agitate and the Reds, having no reason to sell one of their best players, will not accept or encourage any bid from Madrid or any other club.

Admittedly, each player has its price and if Mane tried to force a blow, as did in the past Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez, Liverpool would reluctantly seek to advance.

But it would only be in their terms with Klopp, Michael Edwards and FSG no stranger to dig their heels to make sure they get the best deal possible.

Barcelona and Real Madrid, only two clubs could provoke such an act. If Mane wanted to leave, Liverpool is expecting another contract with a club record.

Real Madrid is reluctant to get closer to the price of the Reds. Do not pay more than 200 million pounds for the pair.

Meanwhile, Barca has to pay an extra € 100 million (£ 89 million) bonus for any Reds player he wants to buy before 2020, subject to Coutinho's departure conditions.

The name of Liverpool precedes them. This is no longer the club that has sold Coutinho, Suarez, Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, but Michael Owen and Steve McManaman have signed their contract.

Loading video

Video not available

Click to play
Press to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Clubs have been warned before that they were tough negotiators. Those who do business are stung.

The fact that Real Madrid went directly to Chelsea and Hazard's rather than Liverpool's is just further evidence of the club's distance under Klopp. And how the Blues have stagnated since their first days of domination under Roman Abramovich.

Anfield is the place to be. The reds are no longer a springboard.

Liverpool's feet are back under the table of European giants and, damn it, the rest of the continent does not know it.