Dont cry because its over, smile because it happened. Pep Lijnders has penned his last pre-season diary entry, and with that the Lijnders Files must draw to a close at least for now. Over the last few weeks, the assistant manager has provided a huge amount of insight into Liverpools preparations, and into the aims and challenges for the campaign ahead; his final post was no different, offering a glimpse into the mentality that Jürgen Klopp has fostered as he prepares for a fresh Premier League push.Central to that mentality is the one-year deal. Lijnders explained what the concept means:We want the team to accept that we sign a one-year deal together what we mean by that is for one year we fight with all we have, all together, for just one target. Become the team no-one wants to play against, the team who is able to beat the best team. Nothing more, nothing less. The mentality is clear: this is a new season, whatever has gone before is irrelevant. That means both the struggles of last season and the successes that preceded it all are consigned to history, with everyone beginning on zero points in the Premier League. The philosophy also works the other way; it brushes concerns over the long-term future to one side, focusing all attentions on the medium-term goals of achieving success in 2021/22. Not to overly bang this drum, but it is reminiscent of the Last Dance approach: maybe we will be seeing a One Year Deal documentary in 2033, albeit hopefully not while in the grip of another pandemic. Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesThe length of the pre-season has allowed for a proper reset, something Lijnders clearly appreciates. This is yet another example of the accumulation of small Covid-impacted elements of last season that added up to a tricky campaign for Klopps side: the disruption to pre-season may not have been deemed significant at the time, but having read Lijnders diary entries it is clearer than ever that this is a vital period for the squad. The pressing work on the pitch looks set to pay dividends, as does the team bonding done off it. Emphasising this point still further, Lijnders revealed that Liverpool have been hoping to work with Neuro11 for roughly three years now. Mentioned in the last edition of the Lijnders Files, the German group works on the mental side of the game, specialising in set pieces. The pandemic significantly delayed this collaboration, but it has finally been able to go ahead; just as throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark gave the team an almost imperceptible edge, so too can this latest development. The lack of activity in the transfer market has been frustrating, particularly as rivals Manchester City have confirmed a £100 million deal for Jack Grealish, but Lijnders gave a rallying cry:You cant sign pressing and counter-pressing. You cant sign togetherness. You cant sign our anthem or our fans. We are different. We know what we want.Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesIt may seem trite to some, but it is true. Liverpool is unique, and it is vital that both the players and the fans buy into that reality. Would it be nice to strengthen the squad? Of course, and additions before the end of the window are still very possible. But the way the game is going, there are a select group of clubs with whom Liverpool will never be able to financially compete. Continued success on the pitch requires drawing on intangibles: from the mindset, to the marginal gains from set pieces, to the power of the crowd.Jürgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders know this. During the pre-season, the staff have worked hard to make sure the players know it too. As Liverpool gear up for a fresh assault on the Premier League, hopefully the Lijnders Files have done a little to help the fans realise it too.You can read all the previous installments of the Lijnders Files here:Entry One: A three-stage plan to topple Man CityEntry Two: How a Virgil van Dijk pre-season surprise will impact LiverpoolEntry Three: Ibrahima Konaté making big Liverpool progressEntry Four: A Liverpool 'monster' has arrived in the campEntry Five: A Barcelona blueprint for the new seasonEntry Six: Pep Lijnders admits major Liverpool problemEntry Seven: A seven-goal haul as the youth dominates trainingEntry Eight: A 'pure Liverpool winger' and Klopp's total footballEntry Nine: Liverpool's two 'machines' as Lijnders seeks marginal gainsRead MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles