Liverpool have reached the midway level of their 2022/23 Premier League season, however it’s been removed from a constructive one up to now – individually and collectively.
Jurgen Klopp‘s facet began the marketing campaign as sturdy title contenders, however issues have unravelled at an alarming price.
With 19 matches performed within the league, Liverpool have simply eight wins to their title and top-four hopes are evaporating by the week.
We’ve rated every Reds participant for his or her efficiency in 2022/23 so far, throughout all competitions – this will likely not make for fairly studying!
(Be aware: solely gamers with 5 appearances, in all competitions, are included)
Alisson – 9
Appearances: 26Minutes performed: 2,340
Frankly, the place would Liverpool be with out Alisson being so good?!
The 30-year-old has been far and away the Reds’ greatest participant this season, bailing out his teammates with one-on-one saves and retaining his world-class degree.
There was the odd clanger, not least towards Wolves within the FA Cup, however Alisson stays the most effective goalkeeper on this planet – which he’s wanted to be with the quantity of clear-cut probabilities the Reds serve up their opponents.
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
Appearances: 3Minutes performed: 270
One other season, one other starring position in a penalty shootout for Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Irishman was Liverpool’s hero within the League Cup win over Derby, making three penalty saves, and he additionally saved a clear sheet at Wolves final week.
He’s too good to be the second alternative and, barring an harm to Alisson, he may’ve performed his final sport for the membership.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5
Appearances: 26Minutes performed: 1,961
Trent Alexander-Arnold has seemed a shadow of the participant who has wowed the plenty since 2018, along with his defensive shortcomings uncovered with alarming regularity.
In equity, he hasn’t been helped by teammates and a faltering system, and there have been indicators of enhancements because the World Cup.
Nonetheless, only one Premier League help in 19 outings is nearly unfathomable.
Joe Gomez – 5
Appearances: 24Minutes performed: 1,510
Have the seriousness of his accidents caught up with Joe Gomez? Probably.
The centre-back has seemed shaky too typically this season, regardless of an excellent efficiency at dwelling to Man Metropolis, and there are actually real doubts over his long-term future.
A surprising show away to Napoli, through which he was hooked at half-time, stays Gomez’s 2022/23 nadir.
Joel Matip – 5.5
Appearances: 14Minutes performed: 1,046
There have definitely been extra culpable gamers than Matip this season, however because the months have handed, the extra he has struggled.
He was desperately poor within the 3-0 loss at Brighton and he by no means appears to be like as glad with out Virgil van Dijk round to take care of him.
Matip remains to be a category act on his day, however he’s now behind Ibrahima Konate within the pecking order and his greatest days are behind him.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Appearances: 9Minutes performed: 730
In a season stuffed with disappointing particular person showings, Konate has been a uncommon constructive, albeit with restricted taking part in time beneath his belt resulting from three completely different accidents and the World Cup.
The Frenchman has been Liverpool’s greatest centre-back, regardless of being the youngest, along with his tempo, energy and studying of play all standing out.
If he retains performing like this for an extended run of video games, he might be in Participant of the 12 months competition come Could, although Alisson will take some beating.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
Appearances: 24Minutes performed: 2,115
By a traditional centre-back’s degree, Virgil van Dijk has performed simply high-quality this season, however he has been miles beneath his unrivalled requirements.
Lethargy appears to have set into his play, resulting in losses in focus, and that once-electric burst of tempo could have began to abandon him.
Van Dijk stays a significant participant for the Reds, although, and there have been various good performances thrown in, in addition to some stinkers.
Nat Phillips – 6
Appearances: 5Minutes performed: 232
Nat Phillips could also be Liverpool’s least-gifted central defender, however he has performed a stable and efficient job in his 5 appearances in 2022/23.
The Reds’ solely defeat with him within the group got here at Metropolis within the League Cup, though he didn’t cowl himself in glory for Wilfried Zaha’s objective at Anfield in August, in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
Andy Robertson – 6
Appearances: 23Minutes performed: 1,710
Has Andy Robertson been at his greatest this season? No. Has he been probably the most innocent of all Liverpool’s defenders? Completely.
The Scot has struggled to keep up the unimaginable degree he has discovered previously 4 years, however he has remained defensively sturdy and seemed to inject power into the facet.
By the requirements of most in his place, this has nonetheless been a wonderfully cheap marketing campaign with eight assists up to now.
Kostas Tsimikas – 5.5
Appearances: 19Minutes performed: 958
There was a time when some have been claiming that Kostas Tsimikas may even be a Robertson improve, however that looks like a good distance off.
That being mentioned, the Greek has been dependable when he has been given an opportunity this season, registering 5 assists general.
There are query marks about Tsimikas defensively, however you gained’t discover many higher second-choice left-backs within the league.
Fabinho – 4
Appearances: 28Minutes performed: 1,928
The way through which Fabinho has dropped off because the summer time is scarcely plausible, regardless that there have been indicators of a dip in the direction of the top of final season.
From being arguably Europe’s premier No. 6, the Brazilian appears to have misplaced all depth to his sport, with opposition midfielders exploiting his alarming lack of tempo.
Others haven’t helped him, however it will be unsuitable to easily blame his colleagues for a dip that only a few noticed coming for the 29-year-old.
Stefan Bajcetic – 7
Appearances: 10Minutes performed: 350
The emergence of Stefan Bajcetic has been a much-needed feel-good story for Liverpool, with the 18-year-old a participant of immense promise.
The Spaniard’s beautifully-taken objective at Aston Villa highlighted his class and poise, whereas his mature and energetic performances within the No. 6 position have caught the attention.
Liverpool could have discovered their long-term Fabinho alternative.
Thiago – 7.5
Appearances: 22Minutes performed: 1,703
Thiago has tried his greatest to avoid wasting a hapless Liverpool midfield this season, proving to be arguably the Reds’ greatest outfield participant.
The standard magic in possession and tenacity off the ball have been on present all through the marketing campaign, however he has been made to look worse by these round him.
Thiago hasn’t been innocent, with a penchant for being too laid-back in key areas, however he’s the least of Liverpool’s issues.
Jordan Henderson – 4
Appearances: 22Minutes performed: 1,273
Together with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson has been the important thing on-pitch motive for Liverpool’s disastrous marketing campaign.
The skipper’s legs have abandoned him, exposing an absence of positional sense, and the benefit at which he has been bypassed has made the defence powerless.
Henderson is a Liverpool legend, contemplating what has achieved, however the faster he’s given a Milner-esque squad position, the higher.
Even he has admitted he hasn’t been ok.
Naby Keita – 5
Appearances: 9Minutes performed: 317
One other season, one other lack of minutes for Naby Keita because of a 19-game absence resulting from harm.
This subject has turn out to be too massive to disregard, and it makes full sense to maneuver the Guinean on when his contract expires this summer time.
It’s a disgrace, as a result of has Keita has performed an understated job in his 9 appearances, however much more remains to be wanted from him frequently.
James Milner – 5.5
Appearances: 22Minutes performed: 805
The truth that James Milner has made 22 appearances this season, in a marketing campaign the place he turned 37, says rather a lot about Liverpool’s woes.
The veteran has been a dogged performer, nonetheless, particularly at right-back, when he did significantly properly at dwelling to Metropolis.
In midfield, his lack of legs has been problematic – successful the lactate check yearly doesn’t imply you’ll perpetually be capable to match younger professionals throughout a sport.
Curtis Jones – 5
Appearances: 10Minutes performed: 308
Curtis Jones has reached some extent in his profession the place there are real doubts over whether or not or not he belongs at Liverpool.
Fixed harm absences have turn out to be a significant subject, and when he does play, he’s a participant who lacks affect, flitting out and in of video games.
It’s straightforward to neglect that Jones remains to be solely 21, however much more is required or he dangers finally being moved on.
Harvey Elliott – 6
Appearances: 30Minutes performed: 1,677
Harvey Elliott has taken some massively unfair stick this season, when in truth he has been certainly one of Liverpool’s higher gamers, and the one one to function in all 30 video games.
Certain, his lack of pace and defensive consciousness has been uncovered when utilized in midfield, however he’s solely 19 and has outperformed many.
A surprising strike away to Wolves was a excessive level in a hit-and-miss first half of the season – utilizing him additional ahead is the answer, though he’s troublesome to suit into the group.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5
Appearances: 10Minutes performed: 449
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain‘s half-season has felt like his Liverpool profession – moments of promise, however in the end, nowhere close to sufficient.
The 29-year-old has once more typically felt like a sq. peg in a spherical gap, failing to shine on the left wing, and he has solely realistically featured due to so many accidents.
A well-taken header at Brentford was a very good second, however it will be an enormous shock if Oxlade-Chamberlain was nonetheless at Liverpool subsequent season.
Fabio Carvalho – 5.5
Appearances: 18Minutes performed: 629
Very similar to Elliott, it is crucial to not be overly harsh on Fabio Carvalho, given his tender years.
His last-gasp winner at dwelling to Newcastle was one of many moments of the season up to now, however he has additionally bought misplaced in too many video games. One other participant you query how he matches into Klopp’s facet.
Ben Doak – 7
Appearances: 5Minutes performed: 60
Ben Doak could solely have performed 60 minutes of motion for Liverpool throughout 5 video games, however it’s already clear that he’s a novel younger expertise.
The Scot has seemed fearless each time he has been launched in its place, proving able to reducing in from the correct ands additionally hitting the byline.
It’s arduous to foretell the trajectory of any teenage participant, however critical harm allowing, Doak may have an enormous future forward of him.
Mohamed Salah – 5.5
Appearances: 29Minutes performed: 2,423
Very similar to Fabinho, Salah has not been helped by a lot of what’s going on round him, however he has additionally been beneath par by his legendary requirements.
On the face of it, 16 objectives remains to be an excellent return, however his ending has been erratic, his decision-making has been poor and he struggles to beat gamers one-vs-one.
Salah hasn’t been the identical since final January’s AFCON – right here’s hoping this isn’t a long-term decline for a Pink who has performed extra minutes up to now in 2022/23 than any of his teammates.
Luis Diaz – 7
Appearances: 12Minutes performed: 974
Luis Diaz began the season with many predicting him to be Liverpool’s star man – his long-term absence has hit the Reds arduous.
Till he limped out of the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in October, the Colombian had registered 5 objective contributions in seven league begins, offering blistering tempo and directness on the left wing.
With out him, that space of the pitch has been lifeless and Klopp desperately wants him again earlier than the top of the season.
Roberto Firmino – 6
Appearances: 21Minutes performed: 1,375
There is no such thing as a doubt that Roberto Firmino‘s peak years are actually a factor of the previous, however his contribution this season has been underrated.
Whereas the Brazilian’s link-up play and skill to interrupt up opposition assaults has waned, 9 objectives and 4 assists in 19 league and Champions League appearances mixed is a surprisingly ruthless tally.
Firmino deserves a brand new deal this summer time, though he should settle for that he’s now fifth or sixth alternative when everyone seems to be match.
Diogo Jota – 6
Appearances: 8Minutes performed: 375
Diogo Jota is a kind of gamers who you solely actually respect when he isn’t accessible.
The Portuguese bagged 4 assists in as many Champions League outings in the course of the group stage. Whereas objectives had dried up slightly, his depth and flexibility made him so helpful.
Jota’s return, doubtlessly subsequent month, might be an almighty enhance for Liverpool, given his eye for objective and work ethic.
Darwin Nunez – 6.5
Appearances: 24Minutes performed: 1,416
Is Darwin Nunez probably the most harsly criticised gamers in latest reminiscence?
Sure, the Uruguayan has been erratic in entrance of objective, as has been tirelessly documented, however 10 objectives in 24 appearances remains to be completely ample.
Not solely that, however Nunez’s tempo, energy and skill to create issues out of nothing could be priceless, and he’ll finally explode when the whole lot clicks.
