With Liverpool looking as solid a unit as they ever have in the modern day, taking one cog out of the machine seems like a disaster. We rank Liverpool’s most important players in the wake of of their 3-1 win against Newcastle.
5: Sadio Mane
The Senegalese winger is frightening defenders with his accuracy of late. When Liverpool appear to be struggling to break a defence down, Mane simply steps in onto his right and puts it top corner. Newcastle were his latest victim.
4: Mo Salah
The Egyptian king just always seems to score. He has broken records and set them since his arrival from Roma. He netted again at the weekend after linking up with the inimitable Bobby Firmino.
3: Fabinho
There is no alternative to the Brazilian defensive midfielder. Much like Virgil van Dijk, he allows those around him to play more freely, confident in the knowledge they are covered at the back. His anticipation and passing vision have proved to be essential to a Liverpool side dominating possession every week.
Bobby Firmino’s role within the Liverpool side is undefinable. He does everything. Everything bar act in his own interests. He has completely transformed the number 9 role into a whirling dervish of creativity and defensive steel. His work rate has become integral to the Reds’ high press. His flair has proved to be the key to any lock, opening up defences to be exploited by his pals Sadio and Mo.
The Dutchman made us European champions. Without Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, Liverpool would have just won each game by a smaller margin. Without Virgil van Dijk, Jürgen Klopp’s defence just isn’t the same. He has been nothing short of a revelation since arriving and is the first name on the team sheet every week.
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