5 unsung heroes who had a key role in Liverpool's title success

In any title winning side there are players who attract the headlines. Liverpool's incredible team includes so many players who would be contenders for player of the season award.

The names roll off the tongue: Alisson, Trent Alexander Arnold, Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah, have all been absolutely outstanding.

But every side that wins a league will have players who go under the radar and perhaps don't get the credit they deserve for their contribution to the season. In this article we look at five Liverpool players who might not be grabbing the headlines but have been vital in securing the club's first Premier League title - their first in over 30 years.

#5 Adrian

After signing just four days before the start of the season Adrian has picked up three winners medals in his first season at the club

Signed just four days before the opening fixture of the Premier League season as a back up goalkeeper, Adrian would have been anticipating a season warming the bench.

The man in front of him, Alisson Becker, is one of the best keepers in the world, and Adrian would surely have only been expecting the odd run out in the cup competitions.

How fortunes can change. Having been released by West Ham at the end of the 2018-19 after playing just five games, the Spaniard found himself thrust into Premier League action before half time in the team's opening game against Norwich City after Alisson suffered a calf injury.

Given how important the Brazilian had been for the team the previous season, everyone at Liverpool would surely have been worried about missing such a crucial member of their team for a prolonged period of time.

However Adrian proved himself to be more than an able deputy during his time in the team. In total he has featured 11 times in the league this season and he has finished on the winning side every time - a remarkable achievement even in a team as good as Liverpool's. During those 11 matches, he only conceded nine goals, keeping two clean sheets.

Losing Alisson so early in the season could have put a real dent in Liverpool's title charge, but the Spaniard's calm authority ensured that his absence didn't derail their challenge before it got started. He has been rewarded with a Premier League winners medal, was the hero in Liverpool's UEFA Super Cup victory over Chelsea, and also has a winner's medal from the FIFA Club World Cup.

#4 Joe Gomez

Joe Gomez has been the unsung hero in Liverpool's back four this season

It would be fair to say that Joe Gomez is very much the unsung hero in Liverpool's back four this season with the headlines being dominated by Virgil Van Dijk, Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson.

However the fourth member of that back four has regularly been Joe Gomez and he has shown growing maturity playing alongside the brilliant Van Dijk.

His form is all the more impressive after a slow start to the season. After playing the full game in the opening match of the season against Norwich he would play only 10 minutes of Premier League football until being selected in the starting eleven against Bournemouth on 7 December.

That 3-0 victory was the first of 12 consecutive league matches he played. This run of games was broken in a 3-0 defeat away at Watford, Liverpool's first defeat of the season, and a game in which Gomez was sorely missed. He has remained a key part of the side since football resumed in England.

Perhaps the biggest compliment you could pay the young English centre back is that Virgil Van Dijk looks at his absolute best when playing alongside Gomez.

#3 Georginio Wijnaldum

Wijnaldum has featured in all but one of Liverpool's Premier League games this season

Liverpool's Dutch international midfielder, Geroginio Wijnaldum has been the model of consistency in the middle of the park this season. Of the club's 36 matches at time of writing, Wijnaldum has only missed one game entirely, the 3-0 victory over Bournemouth in December.

He has been in the starting eleven on 33 occasions and been brought off the bench in the two matches when he began the game as a substitute. His hard running, relentless pressing game typifies what Jurgen Klopp's side is all about. He also has three league goals to his name including a crucial winner against Sheffield United, the opening goal in a 3-2 victory over West Ham and the final goal in the 5-2 thrashing of local rivals Everton.

Although he has no assists to his name in the league, his pass completion rate of 90.5% has been a huge reason behind Liverpool's dominance in so many games this season.

#2 James Milner

James Milner has proved his versatility once more

Consistently mentioned when discussion turns to the most under-rated players in football, James Milner deserves a mention on this list despite only making eight starts and 12 substitute appearances in the league this season.

He deserves credit for three reasons, firstly his versatility. Time and time again Milner has proved himself adept at playing a number of different positions and this has been no different in 2019-20. Milner has once again played all across the midfield this season, while also playing a number of games at left back when deputising for Andy Robertson.

Secondly although he only has two league goals to his name this year, the first of those was a 95th minute penalty winner against Leicester in October, which was a crucial early blow in the title race when Brendan Rodgers team were looking very much like they could mount a serious title challenge. Milner was the calmest head in Anfield that day and it was undoubtedly one of the most important goals in Liverpool's season.

And finally his experience has been invaluable. He was the only player in the Liverpool squad who had won a Premier League title, picking up two winners medals during his time at Manchester City.

Having that experienced older head on the pitch and in the dressing room, who has been there and done it, is absolutely crucial, and his importance to Jurgen Klopp was evident in the decision to reward him with a new two and a half year contract in December 2019, despite him being almost 34 years old at the time.

It is a testament to his form, but also crucially his incredible fitness, which saw Liverpool award him this relatively long term deal.

#1 Fabinho

Fabinho has been a first choice for Jurgen Klopp when fully fit

While Jordan Henderson has received plenty of acclaim for his performances in the centre of Liverpool's midfield, he has been ably assisted throughout the course of this season by Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho.

Quite simply when Fabinho is fit, he plays. He has played 27 times in the Premier League this season, missing eight games with a ligament injury and only spending one match on the bench.

Despite being a defensive player he has managed to score two goals, including a brilliant long range effort in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat of title rivals Manchester City in November. He also has three assists.

Despite his undoubteded talent, his true ability is in his willingness to do the ugly parts of the game. Like Wijnaldum, he is excellent at retaining the ball with a pass completion rate of just over 87%. His height also makes him a dominant presence in the air, winning 1.5 aerial duels per game.

He is a key part of Klopp's desire to regain possession quickly, winning over two tackles per game and averaging 1.5 interceptions.

His part in the team's success this season has been absolutely crucial.