Seven Liverpool players headed to the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer hoping to get their hands on the World Cup trophy.
Seven turned to eight on June 18th, when Victor Munoz arrived as the Reds’ first signing of the summer from Osasuna.
Munoz would go on to win the tournament with Spain without playing a single minute, beating Alexis Mac Allister and Argentina in the final in New Jersey.
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But although they were all knocked out at various different stages, the other six Liverpool players all turned up to varying degrees as well. Here’s how we ranked their performances this summer from eight to one.
8. Victor Munoz, Spain: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
There isn’t much to add about Munoz’s World Cup experience other than he looked to have a lovely time celebrating with his compatriots after Sunday’s final.
The 23-year-old made sure he was right next to captain Rodri for the trophy lift, so no matter how his career goes from this point, the new Liverpool winger will always have a little slice of history.
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7. Florian Wirtz, Germany: 4 appearances, 0 goals, 3 assists
Germany’s campaign may have been a disaster – and they are set to turn to Jurgen Klopp as a result – Florian Wirtz still managed to make his mark on the World Cup.
After a difficult debut season with Liverpool Wirtz still did not look to be in free-flow for much of the time, but despite that he did manage three assists in his four appearances, including what could have been a crucial cross for Kai Havertz to level in the last-32 against Paraguay.
Die Mannschaft ultimately lost on penalties and were knocked out at the first knockout hurdle, but there were positives to take for Wirtz.
The 23-year-old was even named as having the fourth-highest tournament rating by Fotmob, only below Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
6. Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands: 4 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
In another universe, it could have been Virgil van Dijk, not Rodri, lifting the World Cup into the New Jersey sky on Sunday.
The Netherlands started the tournament well, and the Liverpool captain did too, scoring his nation’s first goal of the campaign against Japan, but he was then guilty of being out-jumped for the late equaliser, which more or less set the tone for his tournament.
Van Dijk could potentially have done more to stop Issa Diop’s late leveller in the RO32 match against Morocco, which ended up sending the Dutch home.
He did grab an assist against Tunisia in the Group Stage to add to his goal, and Van Dijk had some typically commanding moments, but the overriding sense when he looks back at this summer will be one of disappointment.
5. Ryan Gravenberch, Netherlands: 4 appearances, 0 goals, 2 assists
If Ronald Koeman could go back and change one decision during his World Cup, it may well be his call to take Ryan Gravenberch off with four minutes to play against Morocco.
The Liverpool midfielder may not have stopped the equaliser from coming, but having played all but nine minutes of the group stage, it looked like Koeman was saving his legs for the RO16.
And well he might have. Over the course of the campaign Gravenberch was easily one of the Netherlands’ most impressive players, setting up Van Dijk’s opener against Japan before providing another assist for Crysencio Summerville in the same game.
Playing slightly further forward than we’ve often seen him for Liverpool, with Frenkie de Jong slightly deeper, Gravenberch looked reborn from the player who struggled last season, which bodes well for the season ahead.
4. Alexander Isak, Sweden: 4 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists
With Sweden coming into the tournament in poor form, this World Cup was all about building fitness for Alexander Isak.
Arguably the most pleasing thing in that respect was that the No. 9 played 358 minutes across four matches and appeared to come through it absolutely fine.
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Isak also showed his quality, though, scoring a brilliant solo goal during Sweden’s Group Stage pummelling of Tunisia, in which he laid on two excellent assists as well.
Another beautifully weighted pass led to a goal against the Netherlands, and though he was quiet at times, there was more than enough there to suggest that Liverpool fans can finally get excited for Isak in 2026/27.
3. Cody Gakpo, Netherlands: 4 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
Cody Gakpo always seems to turn up in tournament football for the Netherlands, and he did so again this time, hitting three well-taken goals and providing an assist too.
Against a backdrop of a tough time personally following the loss of his unborn child while he was away in America, Gakpo was brilliant, and looked like he had sent the Oranje through to the RO16 with a goal against Morocco.
Unfortunately that was not to be, but it did underline what a goal threat Gakpo can be when used properly.
Iraola will no doubt have been watching the Dutchman’s performances with interest, and although there are rumours of interest from Tottenham, hopefully this World Cup can bring some of Gakpo’s confidence back ahead of the new campaign.
2. Alisson Becker, Brazil: 5 appearances, 2 clean sheets
Though he is revered at Liverpool, Alisson Becker did not have the same reputation while playing for Brazil heading into this summer.
Thankfully, the 33-year-old changed that a little with some excellent displays for an underwhelming Selecao.
There have been some voices blaming him for Erling Haaland’s double to send Brazil out in the RO16, but ultimately Alisson had a good World Cup.
In reality he could little to stop Haaland’s two fantastic finishes, and otherwise he was one of the few players who turned up consistently for Carlo Ancelotti. One rush of blood to the head against Morocco aside, Alisson was dependable and, at times, even excellent.
1. Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina: 8 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
Liverpool fans will have their opinions about Argentina at this summer’s tournament, and it is fair to say that by the time the final whistle blew on Sunday’s final against Spain, the Albiceleste had lost the support of virtually every neutral.
But, in amongst that, Mac Allister demonstrated why Liverpool would be crazy to sell him hastily this summer.
The No. 10 was a key player once again for Lionel Scaloni, starting seven of their eight matches, finishing all of them.
An excellent header in the quarter-final to put Argentina ahead against Switzerland was a highlight, while Mac Allister also provided the assist for Lautaro Martinez to score in the RO32 against Cape Verde as well.
The 27-year-old was sensational in the semi-final win over England, and though his campaign ended in heartbreak, his performances showed that Mac Allister still has plenty more to give Liverpool.
He would love to have got his hands on the World Cup for a second time, but the Argentine was still Liverpool’s best player at this summer’s festival of football.
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