DANNY MURPHY’S
LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS
I WATCHED from The Kop as John Barnes and Ian Rush won league championships, and later played alongside Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen to lift trophies myself. But no Liverpool team I remember has set standards like this class of 2019-20. This is how I rate the key players.
ALISSON 9/10 Doesn’t have a weakness. Hard to score against from long range, knows when to come for crosses. His decision-making calms the whole team. More than justified the £66million fee from Roma.
T ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 9 Not known anyone with his quality from wide areas since David Beckham. It’s like having Kevin De Bruyne at right-back. Could play there for next 10 years but good enough to switch to midfield.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK 10 Reigning PFA Player of the Year and even better this season. I loved the moment he matched Adama Traore stride-for-stride against Wolves. It summed up his speed, composure and awareness.
JOE GOMEZ 8 Perfect partner for Van Dijk. His athleticism means Liverpool can push full-backs forward and defend two v two. Says it all that he has displaced Joel Matip, a Champions League winner last season.
ANDY ROBERTSON 9 The best Liverpool teams have always included at least one Scot. Incredible fitness levels to get up and down from left-back and one of those bubbly characters who is good for the dressing-room.
JORDAN HENDERSON 10 It took the 3-0 defeat at Watford for outsiders to fully appreciate his contribution. A proper leader, lifting the Champions League as captain has taken him to another level.
GINI WIJNALDUM 8 An identikit Klopp midfielder, reliable with and without the ball. Tremendous energy but good enough technically to take the ball in tight areas and build attacks. Should probably score more.
FABINHO 8 Started the season well but not quite as good since returning from an ankle injury, he’s taken time to adjust to the pace, but that’s judging him by very high standards. At his best, sniffs out danger.
MO SALAH 9 Everyone expects him to repeat the 44 goals he scored two seasons ago. That’s not possible but his record is still remarkable for someone who rarely plays as a centre-forward.
ROBERTO FIRMINO 8 Not managed a Premier League goal at Anfield but he’s a major reason Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have scored so many. We rarely see strikers get as much pleasure from assists.
SADIO MANE 10 My player of the year. He has been Liverpool’s match-winner on so many occasions. He is deceptively strong and good in the air besides his obvious pace and shooting ability.
DIVOCK ORIGI 7 Every squad needs someone like Origi to be successful. Never moans about being put on the bench and is always ready to do a job when called upon. Two goals against Everton doesn’t do any harm.
JAMES MILNER 8 Frustrated not to start more games but you can’t doubt his commitment to the whole club. We even saw him in the dug-out when Liverpool’s kids beat Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.