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As the year comes to an end, we often look at the good and the bad moments that went by. In this segment, we will look at the calendar year that was for Liverpool and attempt to find out the chinks in their armour.
2017 was a decent enough year for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp's men finished in the top four and qualified for the Champions League but again had to go empty hand, as far as trophies are concerned. The current season has also seen their title charge fade away but a strong performance in Europe has made it 2018 to look forward to.
Along with the management, the blame for a trophyless season often falls on some players' head. So, on that note, let's take a look at the five Liverpool players who had a 2017 to forget and can be deemed as the worst for the Anfield outfit in the calendar year:
#5 Daniel Sturridge
Looking at Sturridge this year, one thing is for certain - his days at Merseyside are numbered. Chances have not come by easily for the forward who has had to be satisfied with a bit part role from the bench.
Playing just over 500 minutes this season, Sturridge has not done much to change his impression in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp. He has four goals to his name this season and has shown glimpses of his effectivity in front of goal during patches.
Injuries have not troubled him as much as in the previous campaigns which is a plus point for the Englishman but it has been a matter of not taking his chances with an aplomb that has cost Sturridge. He has not done that bad this year but has not even done anything brilliant too which warrants him a place in this dubious list.
#4 Loris Karius
The German custodian has improved since his calamitous first year at the club. But he still has not been able to cement a starting berth for himself and has not looked like the player he was supposed to be after the chances that he has received.
In the current season, Karius received a surprise start against Arsenal where he failed to be confident with a ball at his feet and looked nervous every time he was involved. Karius also conceded a soft goal against Spartak Moscow in the Champions League this season in what has been an otherwise decent ordeal for him in Europe.
There has been an improvement in Karius' form this year but it still has not been enough for him to replace Simon Mignolet as the club's no.1 goalkeeper. Frankly, that should not be a tough task at all, judging by the standards set by the Belgian. Jurgen Klopp is still undecided about his trusted goalkeeper which is a damning evidence about Loris Karius and his future at Liverpool.
#3 Jordan Henderson
If Henderson's 2017 is to be reflected in two words, it can be done with ease. Below par. Yes, the captain has looked good at times and is nowhere as bad as some make him look. But despite his somewhat decent leadership skills and his more than decent quarterback qualities, the truth of the matter is that Liverpool need an upgrade on him.
His performances against Leicester City and Spartak Moscow have been commendable but his displays in the big games have been extremely poor. He does not look comfortable at all in a defensive midfielder's role and lacks the tactical know-how to excel in that crucial position.
Along with that, his passing has not been consistently good and his leadership skills have been tested in tough times. Henderson is more than just a decent player but he needs to perform better in the coming year to continue being the captain of this Liverpool side.
#2 Simon Mignolet
There aren't many players that can unify the Liverpool fan base than when it comes to criticising than Simon Mignolet. To put it bluntly, Liverpool Football Club deserve a keeper better than the Belgian and his showing in this calendar year has reaffirmed this claim.
Just as Karius, Mignolet has had his share of good outings for the Reds this year but his howlers outweigh his good deeds in 2017 - just as it has been during Mignolet's entire Liverpool career. His terrible displays against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have cost Liverpool dearly.
Statistically, Mignolet has made 10 defensive errors since Jurgen Klopp's appointment which is simply not acceptable for a team having title ambitions. The manager needs to take some tough calls in the summer as this calendar year has again given a glaring example of Mignolet's limited acumen between the posts.
#1 Dejan Lovren
Painful. This is the exact feeling that is generated in a Liverpool supporter's mind when watching Dejan Lovren in action for the majority of his Liverpool career. No player epitomizes Klopp side's defensive worries more than the Croatian. He has simply been a baggage to carry for this Liverpool side.
His poor show against Sevilla, his horrendous outing against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, his penalty incident against Everton are just some of the examples of how costly Lovren has been to Liverpool. Though the Croatian has looked solid since that embarrassment at Wembley, his three years at the club have taught us one thing that he is a disaster waiting to happen and he cannot be trusted in the big games.
Signing Virgil Van Dijk was the need of the hour for Liverpool when you take into consideration how inconsistent Lovren has been in 2017. He is a decent player but cannot be Liverpool's first choice defender, as simple as that.
