Liverpool Squad Rankings 2019/20

After a season as sparkling and magical as Liverpool’s, deciding who has been the star player and which individuals perhaps could have done better is extremely difficult. With 99 points, a Premier League title, a Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup under their belt, how can it be possible to award just one player the tag of ‘player of the season’? And how can anyone be judged to be bottom of the pile?

Well, the answer is by removing any kind of emotion and looking at cold, hard facts. After every Liverpool match I award each player a rating out of ten for their performance in the game. I have compiled every mark from all 57 matches of Liverpool’s 2019/20 and from this, calculated each player’s average match rating.

From this, we can then order the squad from top to bottom based on the average match rating. Why is this a good metric to use? Because it’s holistic – it takes into account the whole of the season from Manchester City in the Community Shield to Newcastle on the last day of the Premier League – and removes any chance of recency bias.

It is accessible for all players. Unlike judging players on goals, assists, clean sheets or tackles, which are all heavily weighted in favour of a particular position, an average match rating follows the same criteria for everyone – how good was your performance in the game? Furthermore, it means that those who have missed some games due to injury or selection are not at a major disadvantage, because it is an average mark calculated on the number of games they have played.

Having said that, in the interests of fairness as we bid to rank the squad from this season, I have removed any player with no more than ten appearances in the 2019/20 season. This is because there is a large quantity of players with a small number of games this season (largely due to the cup involvements). For anyone interested, I will also include a table which has features all players, regardless of appearances. So, let’s get underway.

 

1 Virgil Van Dijk 7.53

50 appearances (50 starts, 0 sub appearances) 5 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 2-1 BRI)
Lowest Score: 4 (WAT 3-0 LIV)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Liverpool’s top performer this season has been Virgil Van Dijk. His consistency in quality perhaps goes under the radar because people have become so accustomed to it. To average more than 7.5 from 50 appearances is outstanding. His level is top-class every single week.

 

2 Joel Matip 7.5

13 appearances (11 starts, 2 sub appearances) 2 goals

Highest Score: 9 (LIV 3-1 ARL)
Lowest Score: 5 (SHR 2-2 LIV)

It is probably a surprise to see Joel Matip so high on this list, but it should not be forgotten that Matip started the season in superb form and was arguably outperforming even Van Dijk. He only made 13 appearances this season which means a high average was always more likely, but it’s impressive nonetheless – he probably would’ve remained in the team for the season had he not got injured.

 

3 Sadio Mane 7.32

47 appearances (41 starts, 6 sub appearances) 22 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 5-2 EVE)
Lowest Score: 4 (WAT 3-0 LIV)

Many people consider Sadio Mane as Liverpool’s player of the season. With 22 goals and so many match-winners in amongst them, he is certainly a contender. This metric ranks him 3^rd, with a number of outstanding displays. Mane has tended to be rating with 8s rather than 9s this season, and has consistently performed to a high standard.

 

= Alisson Becker 7.32

37 appearances (37 starts, 0 sub appearances) 17 clean sheets

Highest Score: 9.5 (NOR 0-1 LIV and MON 1-2 LIV)
Lowest Score: 5 (ARL 2-1 LIV)

It is a testament to the quality of Alisson Becker that despite missing a chunk of the season, he was still in contention for the Golden Glove and finds himself 4^th on this list. Alisson largely operates with 7s, 8s and 9s, but the odd poor performance, such as away at Arsenal, cost him a place in the top two here.

 

5 Mohamed Salah 7.29

48 appearances (45 starts, 3 sub appearances) 23 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 3-1 ARL, LIV 4-0 PAL and BRI 1-3 LIV)
Lowest Score: 4.5 (SHU 0-1 and SHR 2-2 LIV)

Despite going under the radar this season, Salah has had another top-quality campaign. For the third year running, he is Liverpool’s top scorer, netting 23 times. Salah’s all-round game has developed this season and this has helped him put in many terrific displays over the course of 2019/20.

 

6 Jordan Henderson 7.23

40 appearances (36 starts, 4 sub appearances) 4 goals

Highest Score: 9 (BOU 0-3 LIV, LIV 4-0 SOU and BRI 1-3 LIV)
Lowest Score: 4.5 (AVL 1-2 LIV)

After a tricky first couple of months in the season, Henderson has been faultless from November onwards, producing arguably the best season of his career and operating in both the number six and eight roles. It’s no surprise to see him high on the list, and he would’ve made the top five but for his ropey beginning.

 

7 Fabinho 7.21

39 appearances (32 starts, 7 sub appearances) 2 goals

Highest Score: 10 (LIV 4-0 PAL)
Lowest Score: 4 (CHE 2-0 LIV)

Next up is Fabinho, who until picking up an injury in November was on course to be Liverpool’s player of the season. Upon returning to fitness in early 2020, it took him a number of games to get back up to speed, though the Brazilian midfielder ended the season particularly strongly, including a blinding performance in the victory over Crystal Palace.

 

8 Andy Robertson 7.2

49 appearances (46 starts, 3 sub appearances) 3 goals

Highest Score: 9 (LIV 3-1 MNC)
Lowest Score: 4 (MNC 4-0 LIV)

It has been yet another season of consistently strong performances from Robertson. His barnstorming runs down the left flank have been a regular source of goals, while he has been a crucial part of the meanest defence in the league, too. 8^th perhaps seems a little bit low for him, although he isn’t a player that tends to score at the top end, with only one nine, although he has a hatful of 7s and 8s.

 

9 Trent Alexander-Arnold 7.19

49 appearances (43 starts, 6 sub appearances) 4 goals

Highest Score: 10 (LEI 0-4 LIV)
Lowest Score: 4 (WAT 3-0 LIV)

When I was calculating the averages, I was surprised to see that Alexander-Arnold finished 9^th, as he has had plenty of 8s and 9s and even a 10, but what has cost him a higher place in the rankings is a small selection of poor performances which have dragged his average down – he is only 0.1 away from 5^th.

 

10 Roberto Firmino 7.14

52 appearances (43 starts, 9 sub appearances) 12 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 3-1 NEW, LIV 4-0 SOU)
Lowest Score: 5 (SHU 0-1 LIV)

This has certainly not been Firmino’s best season at Liverpool and he has scored and assisted at a far less frequent rate than in 2017/18 and 2018/19, which explains his slightly lowly placing. Having said that, he has never dropped below a 5, demonstrating that he hardly ever puts in poor performances, though has thrown up quite a few middle-of-the-road showings this campaign.

 

11 Curtis Jones 7.12

12 appearances (6 starts, 6 sub appearances) 3 goals

Highest Score: 9 (LIV 1-0 EVE)
Lowest Score: 6 (LIV 5-3 CHE)

Only appearing in 12 games has helped Jones get a particularly high average rating, though the figures do tell a story – he has impressed nearly every time he has taken to the pitch. Jones’ calmness and composure on the ball as well as his innate desire to attack have struck a chord with Liverpool fans and he is sure to get more time in the shirt next season.

 

12 Naby Keita 7.09

27 appearances (16 starts, 11 sub appearances) 4 goals

Highest Score: 9 (BOU 0-3 LIV, RBS 0-2 LIV, BRI 1-3 LIV)
Lowest Score: 4.5 (LIV 5-5 ARL)

Injuries have limited Naby Keita once again this season, although he ended the campaign on an excellent run of form, which have helped drag his average above the 7 mark. He has had two very strong spells – December and then the last ten matches.

 

13 Joe Gomez 7.04

43 appearances (35 starts, 8 sub appearances) 0 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (WHU 0-2 LIV)
Lowest Score: 4 (MNC 4-0 LIV)

While Gomez has spent most of the season partnering Virgil Van Dijk and has done so superbly, he has gone through two tricky spells – at the start of the season and at the end – which have prevented him from having a higher average. At his best, he’s been majestic.

 

14 Georginio Wijnaldum 7.02

47 appearances (41 starts, 6 sub appearances) 6 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 2-0 MNU)
Lowest Score: 4 (MNC 1-1 LIV)

Wijnaldum has not quite been as consistent as in previous years, with a few low-standard performances preventing him from ranking any higher, but overall he has been terrific once again. One of the most press-resistant players in the world, he has come up with some magnificent individual displays, most notably in the home win over Manchester United.

 

15 James Milner 6.77

37 appearances (18 starts, 19 sub appearances) 4 goals

Highest Score: 9 (MKD 0-2 LIV, LIV 2-1 LEI, LIV 2-1 BOU)
Lowest Score: 5 (CHE 2-2 LIV)

37 appearances this term for Milner, although 19 of those have been from the bench. Milner has had to be a leader for younger players in the cup competitions, although has put in some excellent performances in the league too. He has once again been a reliable servant this season.

 

16 Xherdan Shaqiri 6.75

11 appearances (3 starts, 8 sub appearances) 1 goal

Highest Score: 7.5 (LIV 5-2 EVE)
Lowest Score: 6 (LIV 2-0 WAT)

It is a source of real regret that Xherdan Shaqiri has only made 11 appearances this season, and only three of those have been starts. He has performed reasonably well in most of those, although it is hard to see him staying at Liverpool much longer.

 

17 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6.6

43 appearances (25 starts, 18 sub appearances) 8 goals

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 2-3 ATL)
Lowest Score: 5 (LIV 1-0 FLA)

It is perhaps a surprise to see Oxlade-Chamberlain rank quite lowly in this list, although his game is high-risk, high-reward. He either scores very high or very low, which naturally lends itself to a middling average score.

 

18 Adam Lallana 6.56

22 appearances (8 starts, 14 sub appearances) 1 goal

Highest Score: 9.5 (LIV 1-0 EVE)
Lowest Score: 5.5 (AVL 1-2 LIV)

Lallana’s role has changed this season. He has developed the art of playing as a six, coming on late in a match and helping see the result out. It is hard to get a particularly high rating when that is your role, but he has been very effective in his final year at Liverpool.

 

19 Dejan Lovren 6.53

15 appearances (14 starts, 1 sub appearance) 1 goal

Highest Score: 8.5 (PAL 1-2 LIV)
Lowest Score: 3 (EVE 0-0 LIV)

Lovren had a good run in the team between October and December, though struggled to find a way back in from there on in. It was little surprise that this season proved to be his last at the club.

 

20 Takumi Minamino 6.5

14 appearances (5 starts, 9 sub appearances) 0 goals

Highest Score: 7.5 (ARL 2-1 LIV)
Lowest Score: 5.5 (NEW 1-3 LIV)

The Japanese international made his Liverpool debut in January and so far hasn’t made any real impact. There have been a few positive signs and it is likely to be next season before we see the best of him.

 

= Neco Williams 6.5

11 appearances (8 starts, 3 sub appearances) 0 goals

Highest Score: 8 (LIV 5-5 ARL)
Lowest Score: 4 (BRI 1-3 LIV)

Williams has impressed most times he has played and has proven himself to be a solid option at right-back. His 11 appearances will stand him in good stead next term.

 

22 Divock Origi 6.47

42 appearances (14 starts, 28 appearances) 6 goals

Highest Score: 8.5 (LIV 5-2 EVE)
Lowest Score: 4 (ATL 1-0 LIV)

It has been a tough season for Origi, who has failed to kick on from the highs of 2018/19. His performances have tended to be quiet and lacking in quality, and he has certainly done better when played centrally.

 

23 Adrian San Miguel 6.31

18 appearances (16 starts, 2 sub appearances) 3 clean sheets

Highest Score: 8.5 (LIV 1-0 EVE)
Lowest Score: 2 (LIV 2-3 ATL)

Despite keeping a few clean sheets early on in the season, Adrian has never been fully convincing between the sticks. The exits from the Champions League and the FA Cup saw particularly ugly performances from him, though he deserves credit for the Super Cup victory.

 

The averages tell the story – the top players are extremely close. Fourteen players averaging over 7 is extremely impressive and exemplifies the phenomenal standard of Liverpool’s 2019/20. Positions 3 and 10 are separated by a mere 0.18 of a point.

Now, here is a ranking of the entire squad, including those who didn’t make ten appearances:

Pos	Player	Starts	Sub Apps	Avg. Rating
1	Virgil Van Dijk	50	0	7.53
2	Joel Matip	11	2	7.5
=	Ki-Jana Hoever	3	0	7.5
4	Pedro Chirivella	4	2	7.4
5	Sadio Mane	41	6	7.32
=	Alisson Becker	37	0	7.32
7	Mohamed Salah	45	3	7.29
8	Jordan Henderson	36	4	7.23
9	Fabinho	32	7	7.21
10	Andy Robertson	46	3	7.2
11	Trent Alexander-Arnold	43	6	7.19
12	Roberto Firmino	43	9	7.14
13	Curtis Jones	6	6	7.12
14	Naby Keita	16	11	7.09
15	Joe Gomez	35	8	7.04
16	Georginio Wijnaldum	41	6	7.02
17	Adam Lewis	1	0	7
=	Joe Hardy	0	1	7
19	Harvey Elliott	6	2	6.92
20	James Milner	18	19	6.77
21	Xherdan Shaqiri	3	8	6.75
=	Caoimhin Kelleher	4	0	6.75
=	Yasser Larouci	1	1	6.75
24	Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain	25	18	6.6
25	Adam Lallana	8	14	6.56
26	Dejan Lovren	14	1	6.53
27	Takumi Minamino	5	9	6.5
=	Liam Millar	1	0	6.5
=	Neco Williams	8	3	6.5
=	Jake Cain	1	0	6.5
31	Divock Origi	14	28	6.47
32	Sepp Van Den Berg	3	1	6.33
33	Adrian San Miguel	16	2	6.31
34	Rhian Brewster	2	1	6.25
35	Herbie Kane	1	1	6
=	Tony Gallacher	1	0	6
=	Leighton Clarkson	1	1	6
=	Isaac Christie-Davies	1	0	6
=	Morgan Boyes	1	0	6
=	Elijah Dixon-Bonner	0	1	6
41	Luis Longstaff	1	0	5
42	Nathaniel Phillips	1	0	5
43	Jack Bearne	0	1	5
44	Thomas Hill	1	0	5
45	James Norris	0	1	4