Sam Wood chooses Liverpool’s best team of the season and assesses how they performed throughout a turbulent campaign.
Goalkeeper:
Simon Mignolet -He has had a very mediocre and inconsistent season. There have been moments during the season were he has shown brilliance, but for the most part he has made costly mistakes and cost us a lot of points. If we want to make a top 4 challenge next year, Loris Karius must be better. Rating would be 5/10
Right back:
Nathaniel Clyne – He has made 57 appearances, scoring 2 and setting up further 2. Clyne was signed from Southampton last summer for around £12 million and has proved to be a solid, well rounded defender. Unlike a lot of other players, Clyne has been a consistent performer. If he keeps up his performance, he should be a starter next season and for England at the Euros. 8.5/10
Right centre-half:
Dejan Lovren. He has appeared in 42 game this season, scoring once. Lovren started the season poorly and looked to be another bad signing. However, the arrival of Klopp in October turned his career around. Since then, he has been a brilliant defender, scoring the winning goal in the dramatic Europa league quarter final against Dortmund. 9/10
Left centre-half:
Big ol’ Mamadou Sakho. Making 37 appearances, he scored 3 important goals. Sakho’s season has been somewhat spoiled by the drugs controversy – which has now been solved – but aside from that, he has been magnificent under Klopp. Goals against Everton and Dortmund gave him confidence. He sometimes dawdles on the ball excessively, but that is rare now. 8.5/10
Left back:
Has to be Alberto Moreno. He has 53 appearances, scoring 1 goal and getting 5 assists. Moreno is a frustrating player to watch and can be brilliant or awful. He’s a rash defender who dives into tackles far too often and is hardly ever in position. Having said that, he would make a good left winger as his attacking is very good. His performance against Sevilla in the Europa league final has been heavily criticized. 6/10
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Defensive Midfielder:
Step up Emre Can. Making a half century of appearances, Emre scored 2 and assisted 4 goals. Can has improved massively under Jürgen Klopp and has become a very good holding midfielder. His brilliant performance against Dortmund has been lavishly praised. A few less fancy flicks and poor passes would make him a key player to the team. 8.5/10
Right attacking midfielder:
Adam Lallana, who has made 54 appearances, scoring 9 and setting up 8. He is another player that has significantly improved. However, I feel he will be a substitute next season as he is still not Liverpool quality. He has an incredible work rate but not enough ouput. He could be important to England at the Euros, though. 7.5/10
Central attacking midfielder:
Roberto Firmino. Also making a half century of appearances, Firmino has scored 11 and assisted 9. Roberto was bought for £29 million from Hoffenheim last summer, and although he had not shown he is worth that, he has been an excellent signing. Doubles against Norwich and Arsenal have shown he has a goal-scoring threat, and if he adds consistency to his game, could be a star man for the team. 8.5/10
Attacking midfielder:
Phillipe Coutinho. He has scored 13 and set up 7 in 44 games. Coutinho has been Liverpool’s player of the season in my opinion but dropped off near the end of the season. The Brazilian scored some key goals, including the winner in the opening game against Stoke and starting the comeback against Dortmund. We will do well to keep hold of him in the off-season. 9/10
Left centre-forward:
Daniel Sturridge. He has only appeared in 25 games in this injury hit season, but scored 12 and set up 2. Sturridge has had a very unfortunate season, having been inured for the majority. Despite this, he has showed glimpses of magic, including his goal in the Europa league final against Sevilla. He should keep his place next season; if he stays fit. 8/10
Right centre-forward:
Divock Origi. Playing in 38 games, he scored 12 times and assisted teammates 3 times. Despite only starring in a few games near the end of the season before his injury, Divock proved in that time to be a valuable player, scoring 5 goals in 5 game. He also scored a hat trick against Southampton. He has great pace and strength, making him a very good striker. It is likely another striker will be bought in the summer, meaning he may not start, but he will provide brilliant backup alongside Danny Ings. 8.5/10
Featured Image – This is Anfield
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