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As the 2018-19 Premier League season enters its final phase, the race for the title has got much more exciting. Liverpool is currently enjoying an eventful run and Jurgen Klopp’s side’s confidence will be sky high after their impressive performance against German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Reds are at the 1st position right now and are separated with Manchester City by only 2 points with City having a game in hand. It looks as if there is no stopping them at the moment. Liverpool is going strong at the moment and it will be difficult to predict who will lift the Premier League title.
The Reds have looked a competitive side and above all have looked robust in every department. The forward line has looked to play their natural attacking game. The midfield has been cohesive in terms of winning the ball from the opposition while their defense has looked far more resolute.
Jurgen Klopp has made some vital changes in the run-up to the Champions League which has benefited the side. Their win against Bayern Munich in the 2nd leg of the pre-quarter Champions League can be considered as one of their best performances in the entire season.
Liverpool needs to maintain its momentum and it will be interesting to see what type of formation Klopp opts for in the quarterfinals of the Champions League against F.C. Porto. The Anfield side has looked organized at the flanks and has worked well during set pieces. The Reds have also surprised their opponents with their counter-attacking style of play.
Liverpool fans would be hoping to see their side finish on top of the Premier League table and it won’t come as a surprise if the Reds manage towin the Premier League as well as the Champions League.
Altogether, Liverpool has got some very exciting talents in their camp who have played a crucial role in their side. We take a look at 5 such players who impressed the most this season.
# 1 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah delivered some commanding performances in the last season and has once again been Liverpool’s go-to man in the forward line in the ongoing season. Salah has registered 17 goals in 31 games so far in the current season with 7 assists to his name.
He has also scored 3 goals in 8 Champions League games this season. The winger has been a guiding force for Liverpool in the forward line since his arrival at the club. The 26-year-old is quite incisive inside the box with his speed and dribbling.
His deceptive runs have outsmarted the best defenses. The Egyptian has looked quite authoritative with his ability to hold the ball. Salah has got this unique ability to operate from both sides of the flanks, leading the opponents to have found it difficult to track his clever movements. The former AS Roma player can also be played as an attacking midfielder.
Salah's finishing has looked absolutely superlative. Salah's goal against Napoli in their group stage game in December which Liverpool won 1-0, turned out to be a crucial one.
The striker had expressed his disappointment as he couldn’t take Egypt to the knock out rounds of last year’s World Cup in Russia. Jurgen Klopp had stated that the Egyptian was eager to prove his worth and will be eager to finish the season on a high.
# 2 Sadio Mane
The 26-year-old has infused a lot of fluidity and aggression in this Liverpool outfit. His electric pace combined with his innovative dribbles can breach any strong defense on his day.
The Senegal international has been a constant threat inside the box and has showcased his class to penetrate the best defenses with his electric counter attacks. Sadio Mane has scored 17 goals and provided 1 assist in 29 games in the ongoing Premier League season.
Sadio Mane’s presence has upgraded the quality of Liverpool’s forward line as it looks a balanced one. Sadio Mane has also infused a lot of intensity and has been a top performer for the side right throughout the season, increasing the level of competitiveness within their team, thus pushing his teammates to do well during pressure situations.
The former Southampton player has been a smooth operator during set pieces, where he links up quite well with midfielders Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, and James Milner.
Mane scored a brace in the 2nd leg of their pre-quarter game in the Champions League, which can be considered one of his best performances of the 2018-19 Champions League season.
The striker has also scored 3 goals in 8 Champions League games this season. Mane played an influential role for Senegal in last year’s World Cup in Russia, taking his side to the knock-out rounds.
# 3 Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firminio looked impressive in the last season and the ongoing season too, showing his class. The charismatic forward offers great depth in this Liverpool squad because of his ability to double up as an attacking midfielder.
The 27-year-old has registered 11 goals in 30 games in the 2018-19 Premier League season with 5 assists to his name. He has also netted 2 goals in 8 Champions league games this season.
His aggressive runs combined with his ability to open up the gaps in the opposition's midfield has looked threatening. The Brazilian has always been good in winning aerial duels and has been precise with his passes.
Firminio has teamed up well with the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in the forward line, forming a dangerous front-line partnership. Jurgen Klopp has employed a much stronger midfield line-up this season which has helped Firminio to play his attacking game as a striker. His late goal in their group stage game against Paris Saint Germain helped the Reds win the game with a 3-2 scoreline.
The former 1899 Hoffenheim player has looked good at the flanks too. Firminio had expressed his disappointment after his team couldn't make it to the semifinals of last year’s World Cup, but the Brazilian has highlighted his class with some decent performances in the current season.
# 4 James Milner
James Milner has looked in decent form for the Reds in the 2018-19 season. The 33-year-old has been an experienced campaigner for Liverpool and can shut out the best defenses with his speed and control.
Milner has netted 4 goals in 25 Premier League games this season with 4 assists to his name. He has also registered 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 Champions League games this season.
The England international has got the ability to outclass the opposition with his electric counter attacks and combative moves. The former Manchester City player has been a threat inside the box because of his spectacular finishes.
Milner has been a clever operator in the flanks and has got this unique ability to position himself in goal scoring positions which can catch the opposition off guard. He has been an influential figure in this Liverpool outfit and has manned the midfield with resoluteness.
His presence has surely upgraded the quality of Liverpool’s midfield. Milner’s presence will surely be a handful for the Reds in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The veteran also scored in a 2-1 defeat against Paris Saint Germain in November.
# 5 Virgil Van Dijk
The 27-year-old shouldered the responsibility of Liverpool’s defense with his determination and focus. Van Dijk possesses great versatility as the Dutch can also be played as an attacking option because of his speed and pace.
Van Dijk offers a lot of solidity at the back with his strong tackles and brave interceptions. The 27-year-old has also scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in 31 Premier League games this season.
The former Southampton player has produced some determined performances this season and will surely be a vital cog for the Reds in their Champions League quarter-final game. Van Dijk has shown tremendous calmness during pressure situations with his ability to win the possession back from the opposition.
He also scored an all-important second goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the 2nd leg of their pre-quarter game of the Champions League. Van Dijk’s presence adds a lot of staunchness in the defense. Van Dijk has also showcased his ability to win aerial duels and has shown his sharpness during set pieces.
