It’s nonetheless early days for Liverpool within the 2023/24 season, however how has every participant rated throughout the marketing campaign so far?
Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect went into the final worldwide break of the 12 months with a powerful 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 fee 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
Targets: 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 occasions 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
Targets: 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 slightly than his standard subtly spectacular self.
4 objectives in 9 begins continues to be a strong 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
Targets: 1
Assists: 1
Eyebrows have been raised when Wataru Endo joined Liverpool – it’s honest to say that the jury continues to be out with a piece of Liverpool’s fanbase.
The Japanese has proven loads of keen when on the pitch, biting into tackles and attempting to make use of the ball with goal, however the tempo of the Premier League has been a difficulty and he has discovered it powerful.
It might 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 notice.
17. Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
Appearances: 15
Begins: 2
Targets: 0
Assists: 2
The performances of Alexis Mac Allister have been so troublesome to gauge as a result of he’s clearly being performed in an unnatural function by Klopp.
The 24-year-old’s lack of tempo and pure positional sense as a No. 6 have been problematic at occasions, 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 ultimately, but when Klopp sees him as his greatest defensive midfield choice, the hope is that he grows into the function.
16. Ryan Gravenberch – 7
Appearances: 12
Begins: 7
Targets: 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 appears to be like like he could possibly 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 objectives and assists apiece, and he ought to solely get higher with time.
There’s nonetheless work to do defensively, as he adjusts to Klopp’s model of play off the ball, however Gravenberch might develop into an exquisite participant for the Reds – and a cut price.
15. Luis Diaz – 7
Appearances: 14
Begins: 10
Targets: 4
Assists: 0
In what has been an insufferable interval in Luis Diaz‘s life off the pitch, the Colombian has largely carried out properly on it, which exhibits the power of character he possesses.
With every passing recreation, the extra harmful he appears to be like as he overcomes final season’s knee damage, and he has 4 objectives to his identify thus far.
A bugbear for some has been a scarcity of killer finish product from Diaz, although – definitely in comparison with Sadio Mane earlier than him – and that should go up one other stage for him to be thought of genuinely world class.
14. Ibrahima Konate – 7
Appearances: 11
Begins: 8
Targets: 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 will be the long-term chief of the again line at Anfield.
When Konate has performed, it has been onerous to criticise him, as he combines tempo, energy and an incredible understanding with Virgil van Dijk.
13. Joe Gomez – 7
Appearances: 15
Begins: 8
Targets: 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 carried out 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 aim continues to evade him, although!
12. Jarell Quansah – 7.5
Appearances: 9
Begins: 5
Targets: 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 appears to be like 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
Targets: 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 objectives and assists from the bench, however he has introduced management and high quality at key occasions – together with away to Wolves, when he modified the sport.
From the beginning of matches, Elliott stays a threat 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
Targets: 0
Assists: 0
Very like Gomez, Matip was utterly out of types too usually final season, however he has returned to someplace close to his greatest since August.
In Konate’s absence, the veteran has been wonderful total, bringing the ball out in trademark vogue 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 model.
9. Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5
Appearances: 14
Begins: 11
Targets: 0
Assists: 3
Trent Alexander-Arnold has continued in his new hybrid function in 2023/24, and whereas his performances haven’t been excellent, he has shone total.
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 total.
That being stated, enhancements are nonetheless wanted there, with Alexander-Arnold’s stage of dedication and focus in that space generally trying suspect.
8. Andy Robertson – 8
Appearances: 8
Begins: 8
Targets: 1
Assists: 0
An damage to Robertson has arguably made us neglect how properly he was enjoying earlier than his shoulder setback.
The Scot was considered one of many who didn’t hit prime gear final season, however he appeared reinvigorated from the off in 2023/24, not least when scoring a vital and rampaging late strike at Wolves.
Robertson has been much-improved within the extra disciplined left-back function he’s now being requested to play, and his return within the New 12 months will likely be large.
7. Curtis Jones – 8
Appearances: 9
Begins: 7
Targets: 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 model now extra understated than than the inventive wizard we noticed at youth stage, 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 stage of management missing.
6. Diogo Jota – 8
Appearances: 16
Begins: 10
Targets: 8
Assists: 0
Diogo Jota has develop into considered one of Liverpool’s most underrated gamers, and he has been a very sturdy performer in 2023/24 so far.
Eight objectives in 10 begins communicate volumes about his high quality within the last third, and there’s a sturdy 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 best on the attention, he has been somebody who persistently makes issues occur.
5. Darwin Nunez – 8
Appearances: 17
Begins: 9
Targets: 7
Assists: 5
Darwin Nunez will eternally 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 unfastened 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 last third, as proven by seven objectives 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 palms.
4. Dominik Szoboszlai – 8.5
Appearances: 17
Begins: 13
Targets: 2
Assists: 2
There is no such thing as 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 look at in the course of the park, along with his potential, work ethic and management all standing out.
A few objectives and assists every have been useful – his strike at house to Aston Villa displayed superb tecnhique – however the less-heralded features of his recreation have been simply as eye-catching.
The style through which Szoboszlai has began suggests he could possibly be to Liverpool’s midfield what Alisson and Van Dijk have been to their positions once they got here in.
3. Mohamed Salah – 8.5
Appearances: 17
Begins: 14
Targets: 12
Assists: 4
One other season, one other Salah masterclass.
In reality, a few of the Egyptian King’s total performances have been erratic on events, however you can’t argue with the relentless finish product.
Fourteen aim 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 objectives, he’s nonetheless simply the Reds’ greatest attacker, and one of many most interesting footballers in Anfield historical past.
2. Virgil van Dijk – 9
Appearances: 11
Begins: 11
Targets: 0
Assists: 2
These dissenting voices who claimed that Van Dijk’s greatest days behind him are awfully quiet swiftly.
Liverpool’s new skipper has been again to someplace close to his easiest this time period, thriving with the captaincy and searching 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 toes.
The very best centre-back on the planet.
1. Alisson – 9
Appearances: 13
Begins: 13
Clear sheets: 5
Salah and Van Dijk are indispensible to this Liverpool crew, 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 excellent type has continued into the present marketing campaign, with no goalkeeper within the Premier League having the next save share (80%).
It’s onerous to think about a single error of notice from Alisson, whose shot-stopping in one-on-one conditions has been unrivalled, and his distribution is pretty much as good as ever too.
Name it bias, however it’s onerous to think about a extra full ‘keeper in many years.
