With the party booked, all Liverpool must pick is the guest of honour
Most of Klopp’s side can make a case for player-ofyear titles, writes Chris Bascombe at Anfield
Neck and neck heading towards the most crucial period, Liverpool players find themselves leading contenders in the most exciting race in years. Not the contest for the Premier League title, obviously – the Kop are already casually assessing the starting dates and appropriate venues for their summer of parties. It is the competition for two coveted player-of-the-year awards which will cause most debate between now and the casting of Football Writers’ Association and Professional Footballers’ Association votes.
Liverpool, who beat Southampton 4-0 on Saturday, have too darn many excellent candidates. But with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne having plenty of champions, an anomaly to rival 2018, when the most outstanding side were not considered to have the season’s most outstanding footballer, cannot be ignored.
Unless the organisations can swiftly reform the ceremonies to include best supporting full-backs or best foreign language playmaker, it may be in Liverpool’s interest to choose their frontrunner, lobby for support and ensure there is no split vote.
Saturday’s second half against Southampton summed up the dilemma, the Kop working their way through their repertoire of individual tributes to those who inspired a victory more emphatic than seemed plausible at half-time. As is the norm, captain Jordan
Henderson was the last Liverpool player to exit after the latest lap of appreciation. There is a growing clamour for Henderson’s contribution to be rewarded.
“Did he look like the captain of a team that is 19 points ahead? Not for a second. It looked like if we lose we are relegated,” observed Jurgen Klopp, his manager.
Henderson’s performances have elevated to world class since Fabinho’s arrival, the captain rising to the challenge to make himself indispensable. Even De Bruyne must have offered a knowing nod when seeing Henderson’s assist for Mohamed Salah’s first goal.
Yet Liverpool’s captain always acknowledges the transformative influence of others in a 42-game unbeaten run.
Consider Roberto Firmino, who may become the only No9 in Liverpool’s history to go through a title-winning season without scoring a league goal at Anfield, but Liverpool would not be such a potent force without the Brazilian.
“I do not know a player like him,” Klopp said, agreeing with Arsene Wenger’s recent assertion that Firmino is a unique centreforward. “He is exceptional, a very football smart person. The way he drops and keeps the ball, how he makes things happen is very special. The good thing is he never stops being greedy to score himself in the right moment, or to pass to the guy in a better position.”
Naturally, with Klopp the reminder of complementary elements is never far away. “Even a player like Bobby needs an address where he can send the ball, because he cannot take the ball and turn and run alone. How he uses the skills of his mates is special,” Klopp added.
Which would lead you towards another leading
Victories would ensure Liverpool the title which, as the schedule stands, could be as soon as March 21.
The earliest Premier League title win is Manchester United on April 14, 2001. In a top-flight season with at least 38 games, the first of which was 1905-06, the earliest title win is Everton’s on April 1, 1970. contender, Sadio Mane, who was absent with injury on Saturday, but responsible for many of this season’s defining moments. Then there is Salah, extraordinary in the second half against Southampton, perfectly timing his return to form for when the trophies are won.
“He was very unselfish and he got the passes back, so he could score,” Klopp said. “A week or two ago people were talking about Mo Salah. Mo was never selfish, or more selfish than he should be.”
Equally worthy of individual gongs is Trent Alexander-arnold, who has redefined what it means to be a full-back by performing like a playmaker. Rather like Virgil van Dijk at centre-half.
Liverpool’s title challenge has been built on defence, conceding just 15 goals. In previous seasons, goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s role in that would make him a genuine contender and, before he was injured in November, anchorman Fabinho was comfortably Liverpool’s best player.
Their performances enable Liverpool to shut down a game once ahead and move from functional to exhilarating – occasionally resembling Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side of 2005 and sometimes Pep Guardiola’s City side of 2018 – often in the same half.
They will all say they do not care where the personal recognition is directed, as long as the team silverware keeps coming. Nevertheless, the red carpet is beckoning Liverpool’s squad and staff. It will not only be the club’s honours board that needs regularly updating.