Ranking the 5 best Liverpool players so far this season (2021-22)

It has been a solid season for Liverpool, both in the Premier League and the Champions League. Any Kopite will tell you that their club could win one of the two titles this campaign, and it wouldn't be a dramatic prophecy.

The Reds continued their fine form against Newcastle on Thursday. They took all three points to consolidate their position in the Premier League title race. While their match against Tottenham ended in a stalemate, Jurgen Klopp's men remain firmly in second place, three points adrift of holders Manchester City. In Europe, they have taken 18 points from a possible 18.

Jurgen Klopp has made Liverpool a formidable club, with the club only dipping as low as fourth in the Premier League in the last half-decade. Having won the league title in 2019-20, Liverpool are clear title challengers on any given day. Their world-class players - alongside Klopp's gegenpressing tactics - make the Reds a force to be reckoned with.

While taking a look at their world-class stars this year, an honourable mention goes to Divock Origi. His low number of appearances (just four starts) won't put him at par with other first-team stars at Liverpool.

However, he has arguably become a legend in his own right. Known for popping up when his team desperately needs a goal, Origi has scored two league goals this campaign in three substitute appearances.

Without further ado, here's a look at Liverpool's five best players so far this season:

#5 Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool defender

West Ham United vs Liverpool - Premier League

Much of Liverpool's success have come because of their world-class defence, and the key leader of their backline is former Celtic man Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman has played 16 of 18 Premier League games this season, aiding the team's cause with a goal and an assist. He has played three of six games in the 2021-22 Champions League.

Last season, Van Dijk struggled with injuries that required surgery and kept him out of contention for large swathes of the season. In his absence, Klopp's team finished third, conceding a staggering 42 goals. This season, though, in 18 games, the side has conceded just 15 goals, thanks largely to the presence of the towering Dutchman.

#4 Sadio Mane | Liverpool forward

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool - Premier League

Arguably one of the most enigmatic attackers in the world, Sadio Mane has been explosive in the final third for Liverpool this season. He may not have emulated the exploits of his teammate Mohamed Salah. However, the Senegalese international has been in great form nonetheless.

Mane has played in all 18 Premier League games for the Reds this season, scoring seven goals and assisting once. He has also shown up for the side in all their six Champions League outings, scoring twice.

Mane started the season strong, scoring six goals in Liverpool's first ten games. More recently, he has found the net less consistently, though. Since Liverpool's 4-0 rout of Arsenal at Anfield in late November, Mane hasn't scored. Jurgen Klopp will hope that his left-wing ace finds his form again as the new year comes around.

#3 Diogo Jota | Liverpool forward

Diogo Jota is one of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's more recent purchases, arriving at the club last season.

The Portuguese international managed nine goals in the Premier League last campaign. However, this time around, he has exploded. He has bagged a career-best ten Premier League goals in just 14 starts.

While his Champions League goalscoring may not be as fluent, Diogo Jota has enjoyed consistency in finding the net. Since the start of this season, the 25-year-old ace has not had a goal drought longer than three games across competitions for Liverpool.

Their two most recent games against Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur saw the star pick up a goal in each game.

#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool defender

The full-back role was once defensive in nature, with traditional full-backs sitting back and supporting the midfield with simple passes. The modern full-back is a high-intensity attacker, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is arguably the most potent embodiment of that. His work rate, vision and accurate passing have seen Liverpool start many attacks from the right flank.

Now 23, Alexander-Arnold stormed English football as a youngster, picking up over ten assists in consecutive Premier League campaigns from his full-back role. This season, the star has already picked up eight assists, while scoring two goals. In Liverpool's last two games, he bagged a goal against Newcastle and an assist against Tottenham.

#1 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool forward

There are hardly any players currently in better form than Mohamed Salah. He began the season with two assists and a goal against Norwich, and has hounded defences across England since then.

His continental record this season is also stunning. The Egyptian international bagged seven goals in just six appearances.

Liverpool's last game against Tottenham was the first time in ten games Salah had no goal contribution.

The 29-year-old star is currently discussing terms of a new contract with the Reds. That hardly comes as a surprise, considering his blistering form this campaign - 22 goals and nine assists across competitions. Fifteen of those strikes have come in the league, where Liverpool trail leaders Manchester City.

About the author

Nnanna is currently an analyst on Sportskeeda. He started writing about football as a hobby many years ago, but it's recently become a more important aspect of his life.

He loves sports, football particularly, and is optimistic about the growth of local leagues in Africa.

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Edited by Bhargav