Liverpool Squad Rankings: August 2018

A very warm welcome to the first instalment of my new monthly series; Liverpool Squad Rankings. At the end of each match, I award players marks out of ten, and then collate their match ratings from the month to produce an average rating for their performances that month. Each month I will rank the players by their monthly average rating, and as the season progresses, be able to track their average rating for the campaign.

August has been a successful month for the Reds, with a record of three wins out of three and not a goal conceded so far seeing Jurgen Klopp’s side top the league table at this early stage. Here are the squad rankings for the month just gone…

Source: liverpoolfc.com

Player of the Month: Virgil Van Dijk

The first player of the month of the 2018/19 campaign is awarded to Virgil Van Dijk, who has been influential in Liverpool keeping three clean sheets to start the season. An imperious leading performance in the opening day win against West Ham was followed up with one of the best defensive performances from a Liverpool player in years, producing an absolutely towering display at Selhurst Park. Brighton was one of his less noticeable performances, but still scored a 7 – an indication of the man’s quality.

2) Georginio Wijnaldum

After a great end to pre-season, the Dutch midfielder has made a storming start to the Premier League campaign, with his performances as both the 6 and the 8 catching the eye of fans. Both of his Anfield performances were dominating the midfield area, offering a great mix of creativity and defensive discipline, while his breaking up of opposition play at Selhurst Park was supreme. A wonderful month for Wijnaldum.

3) Joe Gomez

Regular readers of my work will be well aware of my what feels like a lifelong desire to see Joe Gomez play at centre back, and now he’s finally being given a chance in his preferred position. The former Charlton man has been superb so far, looking immovable and composed alongside Virgil Van Dijk, and being a crucial part to Liverpool’s three clean sheets to kick off the season.

=) James Milner

Milner was a surprise inclusion in the starting eleven against West Ham after his head injury against Napoli. After recovering quickly, the vice-captain has put in three exemplary displays to get the season going. His energy never seems to wain and he has added creativity to his game, sometimes drifting out to wide areas to support the attack and cover the full backs when necessary. Cool as you like penalty against Palace, too. 

=) Andy Robertson

Robertson’s astronomical rise in stock has continued this season, with a trio of superb displays at left back. Offering excellent crosses which resulted in a great assist against West Ham, as well as a solid defensive game, Robertson has been the full package so far this season and has started this one where he left off last time round. The performances we’ve seen from him so far in August are no longer surprising to us, as it’s just what we’ve come to expect from such a consistent and hard-working player.

6) Naby Keita

After waiting a year to see Keita in a Liverpool shirt, we’ve not been disappointed. A virtuoso midfield display on debut against West Ham was followed up with a technically excellent away performance at Selhurst Park, including a wonderful piece of skill to send Andros Townsend for a hot dog. He was quiet against Brighton but the early indications are that we have a dynamic midfielder with an appetite for possession, a majestic turn of pace, and the ability to fill in in wide areas. Already looking like a top drawer signing.

=) Alisson Becker

It’s certainly a weird feeling being so confident in a Liverpool goalkeeper! Alisson is different to anyone we’ve had between the sticks, with his confidence and footballing abilities making waves among Liverpool fans. As well as some phenomenal footwork, including a delicious chip over Glenn Murray, Alisson’s first month has featured a few magnificent saves. He made a testing free kick from Luka Milivojevic look easy, before denying Murray with a top reflex save late on.

8) Sadio Mane

Early days, but Sadio Mane is Liverpool’s top scorer so far this season with three goals. Mane started August with two goals against West Ham, the highlights of his all-action display. He was thoroughly impressive against Palace too, an effective outlet as Liverpool looked to counter. While his end product was lacking for much of the match, he came up trumps in the last minute of injury time, finishing off a counter attack to secure the three points. Brighton was a subdued performance, but overall Mane has had a superb August and will be looking to continue this form all season.

9) Mohamed Salah

Last season’s top scorer has started this one in fine fettle, netting in both games at Anfield, including an exquisite finish to score the match-winning goal against Brighton. West Ham also saw Salah open the scoring with a tap in and should’ve had at least another. Salah played well against Palace, working well to win the penalty and breaking from an opposition corner to assist the second goal. This hasn’t been Salah’s best month by his preposterously high standards but for any other player, two goals and two assists in three games is a dream of a month.

10) Xherdan Shaqiri

Given how impressive his pre-season was, there is some surprise at Shaqiri’s lack of gametime so far. He came off the bench for ten minutes against West Ham and looked good, with some bright touches and taking up some good positions. With Klopp looking likely to make changes in the next few games, Shaqiri will be expecting more time on the pitch.

11) Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge has been on the pitch in all three games in August, but for a very small amount of time. His substitute appearance against West Ham on opening day couldn’t have been any more perfect – scoring a poacher’s goal 24 seconds after entering the field of play. He came on far too late against Palace to get involved, and showed some nice touches against Brighton, but will be hoping for more substantial gametime in the coming matches.

12) Roberto Firmino

Firmino has had a very under the radar month, without being poor by any means. West Ham was probably his best game, where he focused on dropping deep and winning the ball back in midfield areas, meaning there was less of a focus on the attacking side of his game. Palace and Brighton saw more subdued performances from the Brazilian forward, but the fact that he continues to keep his place without any doubt shows the faith Klopp has in him and the importance of Firmino to this team.

=) Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold has had a bizarre start to the season, with some good elements of his play combined with some questionable ones, as well as three yellow cards in as many games. He received an earful from Klopp mid-game against West Ham, and his crossing in all three games has been hit and miss. Defensively though, he has been a lot better and continues to cement himself as Liverpool’s first choice right back.

=) Jordan Henderson

Perhaps surprisingly, Henderson is yet to start this season. However, he has been called upon from the bench in every game, and the captain has responded well, helping Liverpool see out the lead on all three occasions. Hopefully the skipper will be restored to starting action soon.

=) Joel Matip

After missing the first game of the season through injury, Matip was on the bench for the next two, and came on in the late stages of the Brighton game. Matip won a number of headers and helped prevent any last-gasp attacks from the Seagulls.

16) Adam Lallana

Very difficult to rate Lallana this month, as he only had a brief appearance in the dying minutes at Selhurst Park, but gave away a cheap free kick, which could’ve spelled trouble.

Not involved this month: Clyne, Fabinho, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Brewster, Origi, Solanke, Phillips, Jones, Markovic, Ojo, Kelleher, Camacho, Chirivella, Grabara

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Daniel Daykin

A non-biased voice of reason among fellow Liverpool fans. I'll always tell you the truth, no matter how hard you find it to accept. I miss Suarez. A lot.

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