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Liverpool has started the season in fine form, entering the second international break of the season joint top of the Premier League. However, they have not really kicked into gear yet.
While the results have come, a lot of it has been down to solidity at the back rather than creativity and attacking force. Last season, the Reds were literally run by the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
None of those three is in the most exciting form and they all will need to step it up sooner rather than later. That being said, there have been some real gems around the pitch for Liverpool this season.
Improvements have been made to the side, adding a real layer of solidity and toughness. The Reds have only conceded three league goals from eight games this season. To put that into perspective, they shipped in twelve goals by this stage last season.
While there seems to be a lack of creativity following the breakdown of Nabil Fekir's move, the injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Naby Keita's failure to settle in quickly, there has been a bunch great performers who have done better than what most people have expected from them.
These are the players who were hardly considering for the starting 11 at the start of the season but have impressed. More so than most of the squad. Here are four Liverpool players who have pleasantly surprised us so far this season.
#4 Daniel Sturridge
At the end of last season, it looked like Daniel Sturridge's Liverpool career was dead and buried. He had moved to West Bromwich Albion on loan in an attempt to rediscover his goalscoring touch, but it went horribly wrong.
Sturridge got injured in next to no time and would not score a single goal for the Baggies. He returned to Liverpool following that failed loan spell with a major point to prove. The striker was mightily impressive in pre-season, prompting Jurgen Klopp to give him one last opportunity to salvage his Anfield career.
He made sure to grab it with both hands. Sturridge has scored four goals in all competitions and is currently the joint top scorer for Liverpool this season. Some of his goals have been crucial for the Reds, as he netted the opener in the thrilling 3-2 win over PSG.
Sturridge also scored a world-class goal to earn Liverpool a late point at former club Chelsea. He really has turned his fortunes around and could potentially play a huge role for the club over the course of this season.
#3 Gini Wijnaldum
Gini Wijnaldum signed for Liverpool in 2016, from relegated Newcastle United, with a lot of promise as an attacking midfielder. While he did score some huge goals for the club, he was never classed a creative force in a way like Philippe Coutinho or even Adam Lallana.
Wijnaldum was highly efficient for Liverpool though, taking charge of the middle of the park. However, his performances did not exactly stand out in the eyes of many. The Dutchman seemed to be slightly too backwards to play in the middle for the Reds. At a time where the Reds offer little to no creativity from midfield, it can be easy to criticise those players.
But it is worth noting that all of Liverpool's fit midfielders offer pretty much the same in terms of style and ability. Wijnaldum, however, has been superb for Klopp's side this season. His consistent performances have earned him a regular starting spot so far, as the new signings continue to settle in at the club.
The former PSV and Newcastle man even scored his first away goal in Premier League earlier this season, with a header against Tottenham at Wembley. He is making it difficult for Klopp to drop him, even when Reds are at full-strength.
#2 Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez was signed by Brendan Rodgers and was immediately picked to start at left-back. After an impressive start to his top-flight career and the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Gomez would suffer an unfortunate blow and be out injured for over a year.
He eventually returned to first-team football in 2017 and gradually made his way into the team, first as a right-back and then finally at centre-back. After drifting in and out of the team last season, he has nailed down a starting spot during this campaign.
Concerns over Dejan Lovren's fitness meant that the English defender had to begin the season as Virgil van Dijk's centre-back partner. The two of them hit it off immediately. Van Dijk has that presence and quality that improves every player around him, you could tell that Gomez has improved.
He looks much stronger and more confident in defence now and while some of it is down to the Dutchman, Gomez and his efforts must not be discounted. He has put in a whole host of vital shifts for the club, at a time where the frontline has not been firing.
Three goals conceded in eight league games so far is an incredible testament to the improvements made to the Reds defence, with Gomez playing a big part in it.
#1 James Milner
You just cannot write off James Milner. At 32 years-old, the Liverpool vice-captain remains in perfect shape and is always his reliable self. A year ago, nobody would have thought that Milner would consistently remain in Liverpool's starting line-up.
However, he has been one of their best players so far this season. After playing a season at left-back, the former Villa and Man City star got his due and proved his worth in midfield. He ended last season with the record of the highest number of assists in a single Champions League campaign.
Milner, along with Wijnaldum, has been a standout performer in the Liverpool midfield and his tireless work ethic has helped the Reds get over the line in certain difficult games this season.
The games did catch up to him and he is now out for a month or so, he will be a big miss for the side. But there is little doubt that he will continue to control games once he is back. While he is not the most creative man at the club, Milner's performances certainly warrant a regular starting spot under any circumstances. The footballing world needs more players like James Milner.
