It’s nonetheless early days for Liverpool within the 2023/24 season, however how has every participant rated in the course of the marketing campaign thus far?
Jurgen Klopp‘s facet went into the final worldwide break of the 12 months with a formidable 3-0 win over Brentford, leaving them second within the Premier League desk.
The summer time switch enterprise has paid off handsomely, permitting Liverpool to look refreshed after midfield additions, whereas different key figures have returned to prime type.
Right here’s how we price every Reds participant out of 10 thus far this season, from worst to greatest.
(NB. minimal 5 appearances, in all competitions)
20. Kostas Tsimikas – 6
Appearances: 10
Begins: 8
Objectives: 0
Assists: 2
The hole in high quality between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas stays nice, and the latter has struggled to persuade within the former’s absence this season.
His defensive work has at all times been unpredictable whereas his attacking output has shone, however there hasn’t been sufficient consistency and all-round high quality on present at each ends.
That being stated, he has nonetheless carried out properly at instances and assisted twice in opposition to Brentford – curiously, he has the second-most frequent assist rate within the Klopp period, behind Philippe Coutinho!
19. Cody Gakpo – 6
Appearances: 14
Begins: 9
Objectives: 4
Assists: 1
Cody Gakpo felt like a key starter going into marketing campaign, however whereas the likes of Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have shone, he has struggled to get going.
The Dutchman hasn’t impacted video games as a striker, with chunks of matches passing him by, and he has been too quiet quite than his traditional subtly spectacular self.
4 targets in 9 begins remains to be a stable sufficient return, although, and he stays a wonderful choice when on prime type, in addition to a flexible participant who can play properly out huge and as a No. 8.
18. Wataru Endo – 6
Appearances: 13
Begins: 8
Objectives: 1
Assists: 1
Eyebrows had been raised when Wataru Endo joined Liverpool – it’s truthful to say that the jury remains to be out with a piece of Liverpool’s fanbase.
The Japanese has proven loads of prepared when on the pitch, biting into tackles and making an attempt to make use of the ball with goal, however the tempo of the Premier League has been a problem and he has discovered it powerful.
It could be what he was introduced in to be, however Endo looks like nothing greater than an skilled squad participant who shouldn’t be beginning video games of actual observe.
17. Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
Appearances: 15
Begins: 2
Objectives: 0
Assists: 2
The performances of Alexis Mac Allister have been so tough to gauge as a result of he’s clearly being performed in an unnatural position by Klopp.
The 24-year-old’s lack of tempo and pure positional sense as a No. 6 have been problematic at instances, however he has additionally performed properly in loads of video games, not least when offering a beautiful help for Nunez at house to West Ham.
Ideally, Mac Allister could be moved as much as his most well-liked No. 8 place finally, but when Klopp sees him as his greatest defensive midfield choice, the hope is that he grows into the position.
16. Ryan Gravenberch – 7
Appearances: 12
Begins: 7
Objectives: 2
Assists: 2
Some might not have been overly eager on the thought of Ryan Gravenberch becoming a member of Liverpool, following a flat season at Bayern Munich, however he seems like he may very well be a sensational signing.
The 21-year-old has caught the attention along with his technical high quality and athleticism in midfield, breaking the traces and registering two targets and assists apiece, and he ought to solely get higher with time.
There may be nonetheless work to do defensively, as he adjusts to Klopp’s type of play off the ball, however Gravenberch might turn into an exquisite participant for the Reds – and a discount.
15. Luis Diaz – 7
Appearances: 14
Begins: 10
Objectives: 4
Assists: 0
In what has been an insufferable interval in Luis Diaz‘s life off the pitch, the Colombian has largely finished properly on it, which exhibits the power of character he possesses.
With every passing recreation, the extra harmful he seems as he overcomes final season’s knee damage, and he has 4 targets to his identify thus far.
A bugbear for some has been an absence of killer finish product from Diaz, although – actually in comparison with Sadio Mane earlier than him – and that should go up one other degree for him to be thought of genuinely world class.
14. Ibrahima Konate – 7
Appearances: 11
Begins: 8
Objectives: 0
Assists: 0
Total, Ibrahima Konate has once more impressed on the coronary heart of Liverpool’s defence, however accidents have gotten more and more regarding.
The Frenchman can not appear to remain match for extended spells, and it’s elevating doubts over whether or not he could be the long-term chief of the again line at Anfield.
When Konate has performed, it has been arduous to criticise him, as he combines tempo, energy and a terrific understanding with Virgil van Dijk.
13. Joe Gomez – 7
Appearances: 15
Begins: 8
Objectives: 0
Assists: 1
Joe Gomez was in horrible type final season, even trying like a summer time exit was wanted, however he has bounced again admirably in 2023/24.
Whereas nonetheless not a first-choice starter, the Englishman has finished properly at each right-back and centre-back – much less so at left-back in opposition to Luton – slicing a calmer, fitter and extra assured determine.
That first-ever profession purpose continues to evade him, although!
12. Jarell Quansah – 7.5
Appearances: 9
Begins: 5
Objectives: 0
Assists: 1
Who anticipated Jarell Quansah to have made 9 appearances by the center of November?
The rise of the 20-year-old has been as spectacular because it has been pleasing, and he seems like a real squad choice.
An help in opposition to Leicester within the League Cup highlighted Quansah’s dynamism, and he’s averaging the second-most correct passes per 90 than every other participant within the Europa League (95.3), behind solely Brighton‘s Lewis Dunk (112.4).
11. Harvey Elliott – 7.5
Appearances: 16
Begins: 7
Objectives: 0
Assists: 1
David Fairclough coined the nickname ‘Supersub’ throughout his time at Liverpool, and Harvey Elliott has been that determine this season.
Granted, the teenager hasn’t essentially impacted matches with targets and assists from the bench, however he has introduced management and high quality at key instances – together with away to Wolves, when he modified the sport.
From the beginning of matches, Elliott stays a danger who’s missing in bodily prowess, however he is a wonderful squad choice who’s a difference-maker within the second half of video games.
10. Joel Matip – 7.5
Appearances: 12
Begins: 10
Objectives: 0
Assists: 0
Very like Gomez, Matip was utterly out of kinds too usually final season, however he has returned to someplace close to his greatest since August.
In Konate’s absence, the veteran has been glorious general, bringing the ball out in trademark trend and slicing out the sloppy errors from final time round.
Matip is out of contract in the summertime, and although an extension felt unlikely, there may be now a query to be answered on whether or not he ought to keep past that or bow out in type.
9. Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5
Appearances: 14
Begins: 11
Objectives: 0
Assists: 3
Trent Alexander-Arnold has continued in his new hybrid position in 2023/24, and whereas his performances haven’t been good, he has shone general.
Liverpool’s new vice-captain has produced passes that few in world soccer are able to – solely Mo Salah (11) has created extra large probabilities within the league than his 4 – and he additionally been stepped up defensively general.
That being stated, enhancements are nonetheless wanted there, with Alexander-Arnold’s degree of dedication and focus in that space typically trying suspect.
8. Andy Robertson – 8
Appearances: 8
Begins: 8
Objectives: 1
Assists: 0
An damage to Robertson has arguably made us neglect how properly he was taking part in earlier than his shoulder setback.
The Scot was considered one of many who did not hit prime gear final season, however he appeared reinvigorated from the off in 2023/24, not least when scoring an important and rampaging late strike at Wolves.
Robertson has been much-improved within the extra disciplined left-back position he’s now being requested to play, and his return within the New 12 months will probably be big.
7. Curtis Jones – 8
Appearances: 9
Begins: 7
Objectives: 0
Assists: 1
The damage niggles aren’t going away for Curtis Jones, which is proving to be so irritating, however he was an undisputed key man earlier than the unfortunate purple card at Tottenham.
Klopp has moulded the 22-year-old into one thing near Gini Wijnaldum, along with his type now extra understated than than the artistic wizard we noticed at youth degree, and he’s getting higher on a regular basis.
Press resistant, hard-working and underrated in a bodily sense, Jones has been missed when injured – not least away to Brighton and Luton, along with his degree of management missing.
6. Diogo Jota – 8
Appearances: 16
Begins: 10
Objectives: 8
Assists: 0
Diogo Jota has turn into considered one of Liverpool’s most underrated gamers, and he has been a very robust performer in 2023/24 thus far.
Eight targets in 10 begins communicate volumes about his high quality within the ultimate third, and there’s a robust argument to say that’s the Reds’ most dependable finisher.
Jota can be nice off the ball, carries a snide edge to his recreation and, whereas not at all times the simplest on the attention, he has been somebody who persistently makes issues occur.
5. Darwin Nunez – 8
Appearances: 17
Begins: 9
Objectives: 7
Assists: 5
Darwin Nunez will endlessly be criticised by some, no matter what he does, however the positives have comfortably outweighed the negatives this season.
A one-man wrecking ball who was as soon as completely described as being like an out-of-control horse let free in a city, the Uruguayan has at all times been on the centre of the motion and is a nightmare to play in opposition to.
There was constant high quality within the ultimate third, as proven by seven targets and 5 assists, and he has linked fantastically with Salah.
When Nunez cuts out the inexplicable misses and turns into extra polished in his decision-making, Liverpool have one thing particular on their fingers.
4. Dominik Szoboszlai – 8.5
Appearances: 17
Begins: 13
Objectives: 2
Assists: 2
There isn’t a query who Liverpool’s star signing of the summer time has been, with Dominik Szoboszlai instantly turning into a brand new hero at Anfield.
The Hungary worldwide has been majestic to observe in the course of the park, along with his capability, work ethic and management all standing out.
A few targets and assists every have been helpful – his strike at house to Aston Villa displayed superb tecnhique – however the less-heralded facets of his recreation have been simply as eye-catching.
The style through which Szoboszlai has began suggests he may very well be to Liverpool’s midfield what Alisson and Van Dijk had been to their positions once they got here in.
3. Mohamed Salah – 8.5
Appearances: 17
Begins: 14
Objectives: 12
Assists: 4
One other season, one other Salah masterclass.
In reality, a few of the Egyptian King’s general performances have been erratic on events, however you can not argue with the relentless finish product.
Fourteen purpose involvements in 12 Premier League outings could be lauded to the rooftops if it was every other participant – with Salah, it’s simply par for the course and few from the skin say something.
Now closing in on 200 Liverpool targets, he’s nonetheless simply the Reds’ greatest attacker, and one of many best footballers in Anfield historical past.
2. Virgil van Dijk – 9
Appearances: 11
Begins: 11
Objectives: 0
Assists: 2
These dissenting voices who claimed that Van Dijk’s greatest days behind him are awfully quiet unexpectedly.
Liverpool’s new skipper has been again to someplace close to his highest this time period, thriving with the captaincy and looking out a fitter, extra targeted particular person.
No participant has dribbled previous Van Dijk within the league, and he has been immaculate each aerially and with the ball at his ft.
The perfect centre-back on the earth.
1. Alisson – 9
Appearances: 13
Begins: 13
Clear sheets: 5
Salah and Van Dijk are indispensible to this Liverpool group, and precisely the identical applies to the ever-reliable Alisson.
The Brazilian was the Reds’ star man by a mile in 2022/23 and that good type has continued into the present marketing campaign, with no goalkeeper within the Premier League having a better save proportion (80%).
It’s arduous to think about a single error of observe from Alisson, whose shot-stopping in one-on-one conditions has been unrivalled, and his distribution is nearly as good as ever too.
Name it bias, however it’s arduous to think about a extra full ‘keeper in a long time.
