Two months into the season, Liverpool fans have had little reason to complain about the development of Jurgen Klopp’s new-look side, with the exception of one very major VAR blunder.
After two wins and a draw in the Europa League group stage, the Reds find themselves in a comfortable fourth spot in the Premier League rankings, only three points behind the early pacesetters.
However, not every player has lived up to expectations; several new additions and even some veterans have struggled to integrate into the team.
The ECHO has given a rating out of 10 for each player who has played at least 15 minutes in any of Liverpool’s 11 games this season across all competitions. Here we use each player’s average rating from their five scoring outings to date to evaluate their season.
Men who have made an impression
Dominik Szoboszlai (average rating 7.80) leads the way for Liverpool, and this comes as no surprise to anyone who has been following the team this season since his summer purchase for £60 million from RB Leipzig.
It’s no surprise that Alisson Becker (7.56), the team’s goalkeeper, and Mohamed Salah (7.50), the team’s starting forward, are the next two highest-rated players on the team, either.
Darwin Nunez (7.44), who has produced significant contributions wherever needed, has gotten off to a promising start to the season. Both summer recruit Ryan Gravenberch (7.0) and Academy graduate Jarell Quansah (7.00) have had successful debuts with the Liverpool first squad.
Best of the rest
There was a left-back injury Andy Robertson’s (6.88) departure is devastating after his strong start to the season, especially considering how he has become the scapegoat for some fans after the departure of other easy targets during the summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold (6.86) has been superb in his new inverted right-back position on the other side of the defense.
It’s interesting that Joe Gomez (6.75), the highest-ranked central defender, is rated higher than the promising left winger Luis Diaz (6.80) who has had a great start to the season. Virgil van Dijk’s (6.57), and Joel Matip’s (6.67), ratings take a hit as they were both sent off against Newcastle United.
Curtis Jones (6.57), who has played in the middle of the field and avoided injury and suspension, has been reliable, while Harvey Elliott (6.44), who has come off the bench frequently but not often enough, has had an impression.
Need to improve
Cody Gakpo (6.38), who arrived in January from PSV Eindhoven and was a standout in the second half of last season, has struggled this year due to starting the season in midfield and the fierce competition for starting spots in the center forward position.
Diogo Jota (6.33), although scoring four times in nine games, has not been able to reach his full potential, which was not helped by his expulsion against Tottenham. And Ibrahima Konate’s (6.29), whose development has been impeded by injury, has temporarily dropped behind Matip in the center-back pecking order.
It’s too early in the season to give players like Kostas Tsimikas, Ben Doak, and Caoimhin Kelleher an average rating. Two players remain, both midfielders acquired in the summer who have been impacted negatively by Liverpool’s struggles at the number six position.
At least Wataru Endo (6.17), who had a rough start playing mostly in 10-man squads, has shown signs in recent games that the Japanese midfielder is starting to adjust to life in Klopp’s engine room.
And it’s hard not to feel bad for Alexis Mac Allister (5.90), who has had to deal with a wrong sending-off (Bournemouth), being exhausted from international duty (Wolves), and adjusting to a new club while trying to perform in a position he wouldn’t have expected when he arrived at the beginning of the summer. Liverpool won’t be able to make the most of Mac Allister’s abilities unless he is given a more prominent position.