Seasons ratings/POTY
Normally this would be straightforward in as much as your highest rating would normally be your player of the year but in this bizarre season, it won’t necessarily work like that. What I mean is, Nat Phillips for example, has been outstanding but is lucky if he’s played a third of the season so can he really be player of the year? To that end as well, I’m only going to rate players who played enough of the season to have had an impact so no place for Gomez or Virgil in this article: To be honest I’m not quite sure how this is going to go myself but I’ll just run with it.
Alisson (8) – Alisson will always be remembered this season for THAT goal but over the course, he once again missed a period of the season with injury and had to endure the terrible sudden death of his father. The latter may have played a part in some calamitous errors against City and Leicester in the midst of our midseason collapse. He’ll feel he should have done better against Madrid as well. Absolutely instrumental in our final 10 games however and no way we’d have clinched a CL spot without him.
TAA (7) – I mentioned in the last ratings that it was no coincidence our end of season resurgence coincided with the return to form of Trent. In fact he’s been excellent since his England snub so Southgate may have done us a favour there. His struggles for the first 6 months of the season however, were well documented. Covid, an injury and a loss of form blighted Trent’s season and he admitted himself he’s learned a lot this season about overcoming adversity. Tough season for him but likely an important one in his development as both a player and a man.
Phillips (9) – It would be no exaggeration to suggest that Nat saved our season and you wonder what might have been had Klopp trusted him earlier. It’s been a real fairytale for Nat, started the season as 6th choice, not named in the Champions league squad and had it not been for covid, would have been off to the Championship. Since getting into the team however, he grasped his opportunity like few others, providing us the solid platform and physical presence we’d so lacked all season. Had he been playing all season in the same form, he’d likely be nailed on for POTY but having not been involved for the first half of the season, he’s not in the running for that particular accolade. Surely in line for a new contract though.
Williams (6) – I really don’t want to be harsh on young Rhys as he’s not ready for this level yet, by Klopp’s own admission. To go from non league to Champions league overnight is a jump no young player should have to make and, a few moments of watching through the slits of your fingers aside, he’s coped admirably with the task. Mike pointed out on the thread the other day the guts young Rhys has shown this season and he should absolutely be applauded for that. Whatever happens now, his profile has been raised massively and this season can only be good for his career moving forward.
Robertson (8) – Where would we have been this season without Robbo? Substituted for the last 5 mins against City and the same at Palace, other than that he played every minute of Premier league football this season and for me, has been our most consistent player this year. The loss of our CB’s arguably affected Robbo more than anyone as he was tasked with providing more defensive stability, while still trying to be the offensive outlet he’s been over the last few seasons. Incredible engine and durability levels, it’s been a tough old season for Robbo but we’d never have made CL without him.
Fabinho (9) – Another player without whom, god only knows where we would have finished. He’s excelled wherever he’s played this season be that DM, RCB or LCB. He’s partnered kids in defence when the position is unfamiliar to him and looked like he’d been playing CB all his life. He hasn’t moaned or huffed about playing out of position, has just done a job for the team wherever he’s been asked to play. Once we got him back in midfield however was when our fortunes really began to turn.
Thiago (8) – As difficult a debut season as anyone has had to endure during Klopp’s reign. Covid prevented him having a preseason with the boys and then so cruelly kicked out of action for three months after that fateful derby. When he returned, the team were in meltdown and he was tasked as being the midfield utility man, different defence behind him and midfield partners beside him every game. The fact some fans and pundits alike were ridiculously laying the blame for our our form at his door didn’t help either but he stuck at it and by season’s end, nobody was doubting his class. Some of his passing, control and vision are just out of this world, the kind of player you have no problem paying to watch and I think everyone can’t wait to see him in action next season in a full strength side. Since his return from injury he also played 22 out of the final 23 Premier league games, showing himself to be more physically robust than many had feared when we signed him.
Wijnaldum (8) – Klopp said in his tribute to Gini that our success was built on Gini’s legs and lungs and that has never been more true than this season. Much like Robbo, without Gini’s durability and ability to play game after game, we’d have been totally lost this season. Not a spectacular player, very few standout moments over the course of a season but he’s been an absolutely vital cog in the Klopp machine and he will be a big miss next season.
Salah (8) – Our only forward to have maintained his standards of recent seasons, finishing runner up in the golden boot with 23 Premier league goals. Has had a mixed season off the pitch however, giving multiple questionable interviews, often poorly timed, adding more pressure on the team and manager. On the pitch however, his standards rarely drop and while he was as culpable as any of not finishing chances during our run of defeats, he can be content that he’s done his bit this season.
Firmino (6) – Bobby has struggled for long periods of this season, leading for many to call on a rethink of our attack going into next season as the false 9 has not proved as effective as it has in seasons past. Has popped up with some vital goals however, last minute winner at Spurs, brace against United to name a couple. We’ve seen some terrible finishing from him throughout the season however, which undoubtedly cost us a number of points.
Mane (6) – Another who’s struggles this season have been well documented and you could see by season’s end that his confidence was totally shot to bits. Seemed to have lost his intensity, physicality and the goals just weren’t happening for him. Right up until the fans came back on the last day of the season and then he was like a different player. Here’s hoping that’s the Mane we get back next season.
Notable others
Henderson (7.5) – An injury disrupted campaign for the skipper and another who was switching from midfield to CB throughout the season. We badly missed his presence and leadership these last few months.
Matip (7) – I don’t really know how to score Matip because when he’s played, his performances have been excellent but like Greg always says, availability is the best ability and Joel is just nowhere near available often enough.
Jota (7) – Hit the ground running and was seriously threatening the starting places of our front three before frustratingly getting injured for three months in a Champions league dead rubber with Midtjylland. His goals, dribbling and all round play have been at a high level however and he’s another I’m excited to see develop next year.
Jones (6) – A promising season from the youngster. Given more opportunities than he would have expected in the first 6 months as Fabinho and Hendo played in defence and of course, Ox and Naby were injured. His technique has always been there, his turns and ball carrying are very good but his pressing has improved this season as well. In the second half of the season, as Klopp has looked for a more solid defensive platform, Curtis has seen his opportunities dry up and understandably lacked match sharpness on his last outing. The next steps for him are to improve positional awareness, upper body strength and start taking more attacking responsibility. Looks on course with his development though.
Milner (7) – Reduced role this season as the elder statesman of the time and hasn’t been without injuries himself. Ever the professional however, he’s always been ready to come in and do a job when required, as displayed in his excellent performance against Real Madrid.
The fact the likes of Ox, Keita, Tsimikas, Shaqiri and Origi haven’t done enough to warrant a mention, tells its own story.
Klopp (8) – A season like no other for the manager. The sheer number of injuries at CB, he must’ve been wondering what else could go wrong. Losing his mother midseason as well and like Alisson, not being able to return for the funeral must have taken a terrible toll. I do think Klopp’s made some questionable decisions however. I think he should have played CB’s at CB and got Fabinho and Hendo back in midfield sooner than he did and playing Jota in the aforementioned game against Midtjylland was a very frustrating decision as well. To turn it around though in the final games and clinch third after everything, was some achievement and testament to his man management skills.
Player of the year
Back to this then. Due to the disrupted nature of the squad over the season, in my opinion only five players are in line for POTY.
Alisson – As mentioned, instrumental in clinching top four, even scoring a winning goal in the standout moment of the season. Enough for POTY though?
Robertson – Ever present and so much expected of him, from protecting and leading a young defence, to trying to be playmaker during Trent’s struggles but most of all just being a beacon of reliability and consistency during the most turbulent of seasons.
Fabinho – My personal choice for POTY. To adapt to CB the way he did, showed what a world class footballer he is and although he has missed periods of the season through injury, he’s probably the only player who’s form hasn’t really suffered, regardless of where he’s been playing. We’ve relied heavily on Fabinho for a number of things this season and he’s stood up and answered the call every time.
Wijnaldum – Similar to Robbo, without Gini’s constant availability and fitness levels, I don’t know how we’d have got through the season. Played every midfield position and maintained a consistent level throughout the season. If only our other midfielders were half as durable as Gini.
Salah – As mentioned, the only one of our forwards who can say they’ve maintained their high standards. 31 goals in all competitions this season and without Salah’s goals, god only knows where we would have finished.
That’s my picks then troops, let us know yours in the poll below and let the disagreements begin 😉
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