Liverpool Squad Rankings: October 2018

A very warm welcome to the third 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.

October has been a busy month for Liverpool. It started with a dismal defeat in Naples in the Champions League, before an underwhelming draw in a crunch match against Manchester City at Anfield. The month ended with three consecutive wins though, with a narrow victory against Huddersfield Town followed up with a splendid, stellar 4-0 demolition of Red Star Belgrade in Europe. October ended with another Premier League win over Cardiff City, making it three wins, one draw and one loss. Here are the squad rankings for the month just gone…

 

Joint Player of the Month: Joe Gomez

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 8.5 (NAP) 7 (MNC) 8 (HUD) 8 (RSB)
October Average Rating	8	Season Average Rating	7.92

Yet another excellent month for Joe Gomez has just gone by, with the former Charlton man winning a joint award for October’s player of the month. It has been a slightly different series of games for the Englishman, being deployed as a right back on two occasions in the Premier League to facilitate the return of Dejan Lovren. Gomez was impeccable in Naples and one of few positives in an awful Liverpool performance, and while his display against City was a little shaky at the start, he grew into the game well and marked Leroy Sane brilliantly. He was at right back again for the Huddersfield match and was instrumental in maintaining the three points, before another magnificent centre back showing in the Champions League against Red Star rounded off Gomez’s month.

 

Joint Player of the Month: Xherdan Shaqiri

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	4
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	5
Goals	1	Goals	1
Match Ratings this month: 7.5 (HUD) 8.5 (RSB) 8 (CAR)
October Average Rating	8	Season Average Rating	7.33

Let’s be honest, a lot of people weren’t that convinced by the signing of Shaqiri. But already he’s started to pay back the measly £12m fee that we paid to Stoke City for the Swiss international’s services. A first start away from home came in the win against Huddersfield, with Shaqiri heavily involved in Mohamed Salah’s winning goal. A debut Champions League start in a red shirt came against Red Star Belgrade, and the number 23 didn’t disappoint – he was excellent and was a crucial part to the dominant victory including a sumptuous assist for the second goal. His splendid October was drawn to a beautiful close with a cameo appearance off the bench against Cardiff City, coming on to score the third goal with a terrific bit of footwork and a neat, controlled finish into the bottom corner to secure the three points. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Shaqiri get more game time from the off from now on, with the creative player capable of affecting games from both the right wing and number ten positions.

 

3) Virgil Van Dijk

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	13
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 7.5 (NAP) 8 (MNC) 8 (HUD) 7.5 (RSB) 7 (CAR)
October Average Rating	7.6	Season Average Rating	7.81

Van Dijk has started all five games in October and has completed them all too. A solid performance in Italy prevented the Reds from a heavier defeat and it was a similar story at Anfield as the top two in the league clashed. Van Dijk was guilty of a late tackle on Leroy Sane which resulted in a Manchester City penalty, but this was only a slight blemish on an otherwise outstanding defensive display as Liverpool hung on for a point. The Dutchman led by example against Huddersfield to ensure his team came home with the win. It was a more serene night against Red Star as he had less to deal with but it was still a very strong all-round showing as he won everything he needed to. He was a little unlucky as Calum Paterson benefitted from Van Dijk’s deflection and got Neil Warnock’s side back in the game, although it has been yet another majestic month from the big centre back.

 

4) Georginio Wijnaldum

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	12
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	0	Goals	1
Match Ratings this month: 6.5 (NAP) 7.5 (MNC) 7 (HUD) 8.5 (RSB) 8 (CAR)
October Average Rating	7.5	Season Average Rating	7.73

As this season continues to elapse, Gini Wijnaldum is absolutely cementing his place as one of the first names on the teamsheet. He was a little subdued in Napoli but back to his best in the following draw with Man City, breaking up play and looking to force openings. Wijnaldum replaced the injured Jordan Henderson at half time against Huddersfield and had a positive impact on the control of the game from central areas. The Dutch midfielder was tremendous as Liverpool tore Red Star Belgrade apart, winning absolutely every battle and producing star turns every time the ball went near him. He finished October with another bright performance against Cardiff and will be looking for similarly effective displays in the coming weeks and months.

 

=) Mohamed Salah

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	13
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	4	Goals	7
Match Ratings this month: 6 (NAP) 7 (MNC) 8 (HUD) 8 (RSB) 8.5 (CAR)
October Average Rating	7.5	Season Average Rating	7.12

That’s more like it! Salah is back with a bang. After a very slow start to the season, the back end of October has seen the Egyptian pick up his 2017/18 form. He was disappointing against Napoli but there were signs of encouragement with a better performance against Man City. Salah then scored the winner against Huddersfield with a tidy finish and it was an all-round improved showing. Against Red Star, Salah was deployed up front in a 4-2-3-1 formation and responded well to this change. Despite missing an early one-on-one opportunity, Salah netted soon after with a confident strike, before successfully converting a penalty in the second half – becoming the quickest player in Liverpool history to reach 50 goals for the club. His unbelievable Anfield form since joining continued with the opener against Cardiff, a crucial goal as it set the ball rolling for a dominant win. Great news folks, it looks like Salah is back to his best.

 

6) Alisson Becker

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	13
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Clean Sheets	3	Clean Sheets	7
Match Ratings this month: 8 (NAP) 7.5 (MNC) 8 (HUD) 6.5 (RSB) 6 (CAR)
October Average Rating	7.2	Season Average Rating	7.19

Alisson has been a hugely successful signing so far. His October has included three clean sheets and only two goals conceded in five games. He kept Liverpool in the game against Napoli with some very impressive saves before Lorenzo Insigne tapped in a last-minute winner. The goalkeeper was in similar form against Man City, getting a vital hand to a Riyad Mahrez strike in the second half to keep the scores level. Another clean sheet followed at the John Smith’s Stadium, with the Brazilian getting a fingertip to push Jonathan Hogg’s long-range strike onto the post, as well as claiming every cross and high ball the Yorkshire club produced. He had much, much quieter games to end the month but still looked assured in confident in the little he was required for.

 

7) Fabinho

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	3
Sub Appearances	2	Sub Appearances	3
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 6 (NAP) 7 (HUD) 8.5 (RSB) 7 (CAR)
October Average Rating	7.13	Season Average Rating	7

Fabinho is starting to become an important player to this Liverpool team. It looks like Klopp’s decision to bed the midfielder in could pay dividends, with bright substitute appearances against Napoli and Huddersfield easing the Brazilian into consecutive starts. He was wonderful against Red Star, winning an almighty number of duels in the middle of the park and proving himself as a very capable number six. This was one of the most dominant midfield performances Liverpool fans have seen in a while. His first Premier League start against Cardiff City was impressive after a shaky start too and Fabinho now looks like becoming a regular starter for the Reds.

 

8) Alberto Moreno

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	1	Starts	2
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: N/A (RSB) 7 (CAR)
October Average Rating	7	Season Average Rating	6.25

Moreno places quite highly in the October rankings, although this is partly because he has only made two appearances this month – and one of those was too short to rate. The Spaniard replaced a hurt Andy Robertson late on against Red Star and the Scot was unable to play against Cardiff which meant that Moreno made his first Premier League start of the season. He did well and nullified the threat of Junior Hoilett. There was some discussion over whether Moreno could’ve stopped the cross for the Cardiff goal, though I thought this was quite harsh. He’s still a dependable backup when needed, so it was quite surprising to hear that the left back is likely to leave at the end of the season.

9) Andy Robertson

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	12
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 6 (NAP) 6.5 (MNC) 7 (HUD) 8 (RSB)
October Average Rating	6.88	Season Average Rating	7.42

Robertson has appeared a little off the boil this month, but it is testament to the quality of the player that despite a small dip in his performance level, he has still been perfectly competent and there are no questions surrounding him – and rightly so. After some slightly underwhelming displays against Napoli and Man City, he was excellent in the following victories against Huddersfield and Red Star – and really should’ve got himself on the scoresheet in the latter. He was the recipient of a heavy tackle late on which prevented him from finishing the game and from starting against Cardiff, though the fact he was on the bench is a large sign that he will be available for the Arsenal game.

 

10) Trent Alexander-Arnold

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 6 (NAP) 7.5 (RSB) 7 (CAR)
October Average Rating	6.83	Season Average Rating	6.68

This has been an unusual month for TAA, as he has missed a few Premier League games with Dejan Lovren’s return to fitness. He struggled with the test that Napoli and Insigne in particular provided, so being rested in the next two games was probably a good thing for the right back. He produced a much better showing against Red Star, with plenty of attacking intent, something that has been missing from his game this season. He was disappointed not to score after getting on the end of a dinked Fabinho ball, too. He returned to domestic action against Cardiff and was solid throughout and will now be focused on keeping his place in the side.

 

11) Daniel Sturridge

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	1	Starts	3
Sub Appearances	3	Sub Appearances	8
Goals	0	Goals	4
Match Ratings this month: N/A (NAP) 6 (MNC) 7 (HUD) 7 (RSB)
October Average Rating	6.67	Season Average Rating	7.06

While October hasn’t been as goal-laden as September was for Daniel Sturridge, it has still been a decent month for the English striker. He was brought on too late against Napoli to make any impact, and it was a similar story against Man City, though he did occupy some good positions and wasn’t afraid of coming deep to get the ball. His first Premier League start of the season came against Huddersfield, and he was forced into playing a game which he is not really used to – lots of hold up play and off the ball movement – a job he was very effective at. He was brought on in the second half of the Red Star game and had a great impact in a short space of time, assisting Sadio Mane’s goal with a lovely weighted pass, setting Adam Lallana through one-on-one, forcing the keeper into a good save from distance with a Chelsea-esque strike; all of this after being perhaps unfairly removed from penalty duty by Mane, who subsequently missed the thing. Sturridge’s role as a very important player to this squad continues.

 

=) Dejan Lovren

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	4
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 7 (MNC) 6 (HUD) 7 (CAR)
October Average Rating	6.67	Season Average Rating	6.75

It was a surprise to some that Dejan Lovren was restored to the Premier League side for Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City. The Croat’s first league appearance of the campaign was very strong, winning duels and helping earn the Reds a point, although he was very lucky to not concede at least one penalty, with potential fouls on Aguero and Jesus going unpunished. He was at centre back again for the Huddersfield game, and struggled a little in the second half but was solid overall. The theme of Lovren starting the league games after missing European ones continued with a start against Cardiff. He was good again and despite the everlasting nerves that seem to surround him, he’s proving himself to be a useful player to this squad. Whether he deserves to be in our first choice defence is another matter.

 

13) Sadio Mane

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	13
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	3	Goals	7
Match Ratings this month: 6 (NAP) 5 (MNC) 6.5 (RSB) 8.5 (CAR)
October Average Rating	6.5	Season Average Rating	6.73

October has been a very bizarre month for Mane. Seriously disappointing performances against Napoli and Man City kicked the month off for the Senegalese, with a lack of impact and involvement in games being a concern. The winger missed the trip to Huddersfield with a thumb complaint, though was back in the starting eleven for the clash with Red Star. Mane was enduring another difficult evening until a penalty in the second half gave Liverpool the chance to go 4-0 up. Daniel Sturridge originally looked like taking the spot kick, until Mane persuaded him that he was the better option. Mane duly saw his penalty saved but that was not to be the end of his contribution to the game as he got on the end of a neat pass from Sturridge (ironically) to score with a deft finish into the corner. He produced one of his best displays of the season against Cardiff to end the month on a high with two goals. Constantly an outlet during the game, Mane doubled the Reds’ lead midway through the second half with a powerful, thumping finish into the corner, before getting on the end of a through ball from Mo Salah and dinking the ball over the top of Neil Etheridge to make the score 4-1 and end October on a very positive note.

 

14) Jordan Henderson

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	6
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	6
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 5.5 (NAP) 7 (MNC) 6 (HUD)
October Average Rating	6.17	Season Average Rating	6.25

The captain’s month was halted by an injury sustained against Huddersfield which kept him out of the following two fixtures. Prior to this, he was struggling a little with performance level. He was poor against Napoli, but a good three quarters of the team were, so I’m hesitant to criticise him too much for this performance. He was much better against Man City, winning lots of battles in the middle of the park, just lacking a creative spark to open the door. He was a little sloppy in possession against Huddersfield, but with Henderson often improving in the second half, it’s a shame we didn’t get to see him complete the match.

 

15) Adam Lallana

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	2
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	2
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 6 (HUD) 6 (RSB) 6 (CAR)
October Average Rating	6	Season Average Rating	5.75

October has seen the return of Adam Lallana to first team action. It was a little surprising to see him start his first game back rather than be eased in gradually, but he did okay against Huddersfield, operating in the halfspace predominantly and occasionally moving into the front three. He was unable to complete the match, which is to be expected when coming back to fitness. He was lively as a substitute against Red Star, though really should’ve buried a one-on-one opportunity rather than firing a weak shot into the goalkeeper’s body. Lallana started again in the Cardiff game and showed some nice touches but was ultimately wasteful in the final third. The upcoming months are packed with fixtures so he will be looking for more gametime.

 

16) Roberto Firmino

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	3
Goals	1	Goals	4
Match Ratings this month: 5 (NAP) 5 (MNC) 5.5 (HUD) 7.5 (RSB) 6.5 (CAR)
October Average Rating	5.9	Season Average Rating	6.46

It’s surprising to see Firmino so low down in the rankings this month, but that’s down to a series of poor displays at the start of October. He was very disappointing against Napoli and Man City with the Brazilian not his usual self at all and was duly dropped to the bench for the Huddersfield game. He came on and struggled to get involved in the game – although he’s never been a good impact sub as he often takes time to warm into the game. The final two games of the month were miles better. He scored the opener against Red Star with a calm finish and was all-round more involved in Liverpool’s attacking play, before another action-packed game against Cardiff followed. This time it was without the end product, but it was still good to see an obvious upturn in form in the last two games of October.

 

17) James Milner

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	2
Goals	0	Goals	2
Match Ratings this month: 5.5 (NAP) 5.5 (MNC) 6.5 (HUD) 6 (CAR)
October Average Rating	5.88	Season Average Rating	6.96

I feel a little harsh having Milner so low down this month, although this series comes down to mathematics and average scores, and the facts are that Milner’s performances in October were not at the level of his August and September ones. He was one of many players who might as well not have turned up against Napoli, though he was unlucky to be taken off in the subsequent game against Man City early in the first half. The English midfielder made a fantastic recovery to start the Huddersfield game, in which he put in a solid shift, working hard to help the midfield gain control of a tricky away fixture. It was perhaps a risk to start Milner in quite an intense game so soon after returning from injury, but he rose to it. He came on in the second half against Cardiff and helped see the game through, without having too much involvement. Let’s hope that when Milner gets a run in the side again, he can rediscover his early season form.

 

18) Naby Keita

October Stats		Season Stats
Starts	1	Starts	6
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	4
Goals	0	Goals	0
Match Ratings this month: 5.5 (NAP) 6 (MNC)
October Average Rating	5.75	Season Average Rating	6.28

An injury on international duty completely derailed Keita’s October, a month which wasn’t exactly going smoothly for him beforehand. He started the Napoli game and was struggling until he had to be taken off very early with a heart-related complaint. He recovered in time to be on the bench for the City game a few days later, and was brought on for James Milner in reverse circumstances to the Napoli situation. Keita had a passable game at Anfield but couldn’t produce what was needed to break City down. That would be his last involvement of the month as his injury sustained while playing for Guinea kept him out of the rest of October’s games.

Not involved this month: Clyne, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mignolet, Brewster, Origi, Solanke, Matip, Phillips, Jones, Markovic, Kelleher, Camacho, Chirivella, Grabara

 

OCTOBER RANKINGS
1	Joe Gomez	8
=	Xherdan Shaqiri	8
3	Virgil Van Dijk	7.6
4	Georginio Wijnaldum	7.5
=	Mohamed Salah	7.5
6	Alisson Becker	7.2
7	Fabinho	7.13
8	Alberto Moreno	7
9	Andy Robertson	6.88
10	Trent Alexander-Arnold	6.83
11	Daniel Sturridge	6.67
=	Dejan Lovren	6.67
13	Sadio Mane	6.5
14	Jordan Henderson	6.17
15	Adam Lallana	6
=	Roberto Firmino	5.9
=	James Milner	5.88
18	Naby Keita	5.75

 

SEASON RANKINGS
1	Joe Gomez	7.92
2	Virgil Van Dijk	7.81
3	Georginio Wijnaldum	7.73
4	Simon Mignolet	7.5
5	Andy Robertson	7.42
6	Xherdan Shaqiri	7.33
7	Alisson Becker	7.19
8	Mohamed Salah	7.12
9	Daniel Sturridge	7.06
10	Fabinho	7
11	James Milner	6.96
12	Naby Keita	6.8
13	Dejan Lovren	6.75
14	Sadio Mane	6.73
15	Trent Alexander-Arnold	6.68
16	Roberto Firmino	6.46
17	Joel Matip	6.33
18	Jordan Henderson	6.25
=	Alberto Moreno	6.25
20	Adam Lallana	5.75
21	Nathaniel Clyne	5
22	Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rhian Brewster, Divock Origi, Dominic Solanke, Nathaniel Phillips, Curtis Jones, Lazar Markovic, Caoimhin Kelleher, Rafael Camacho, Pedro Chirivella, Kamil Grabara	N/A