The Liverpool players performed at a remarkably high level during the 2021/22 season, but who was considered to be the star of the Reds?
This is another year, with Jurgen Klopp’s men having to settle for two trophies at the end.
It was a fantastic season for Liverpool, despite their eventual disappointments in the Premier League and Champions League, with so many heroes playing their part.
Eight of This Is Anfield’s regular contributors have provided their scores for each player and an overall average has been compiled, with draws decided by the number of games played.
Here are the results …
(Note: Players must have made at least 10 appearances)
23. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Beginnings (Sub): 17 (12) Average Rating: 6
It’s no surprise to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finish at the bottom of the pile, in what was probably his last season as a Liverpool player.
The 28-year-old was never launched in 2021/22, producing too many forgettable performances that ended up leaving him after being replaced.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s last appearance of the season came back on March 20, as Jurgen Klopp lost faith in the midfielder.
It’s time for a new challenge.
= 19. Harvey Elliott
Beginnings (Sub): 6 (5) Average rating: 6.87
It was certainly a positive season for Harvey Elliott, but it ended up being defined by a terrible broken leg in September.
Until then, the 19-year-old had almost been a regular in the midfield of the Reds, starting three Premier League games and looking for the part.
However, it was understandable that Elliott was used sparingly on his return, as big matches came and the teen was still finding his feet.
= 19. Curtis Jones
Beginnings (Sub): 18 (9) Average rating: 6.87
Curtis Jones remains a bit divisive among Liverpool fans, but the positives outweighed the negatives in 2021/22.
The 21-year-old’s best form came in the first half of the campaign, with a key goal scored at home by Brentford and an outstanding performance in Porto with two assists.
Like Elliott, his playing time was shorter during the end of the season, with Klopp relying on more experienced players.
= 19. Divock Origi
Beginnings (Sub): 5 (13) Average rating: 7
Goodbye, sweet prince!
Divock Origi leaves Anfield this summer after giving us two more great moments, in what was otherwise a quiet year.
The winner of the last breath for the Wolves was one of the highest points of the season, while he broke Everton’s hearts again with a goal against Kop.
Towards AC Milan: wait for the fireworks …
= 19. James Milner
Beginnings (Sub): 14 (25) Average Rating: 7
Perennial James Milner showed signs of his age in 2021/22, but still played his part in a memorable season for Liverpool.
Although the legs are not as fast as before, the 36-year-old was often a reliable figure on the bench, and silenced the doubters with some great performances from the start, making 39 appearances in total.
A one-year contract could reach Milner over the next month or so; it makes sense to give him one last season with a red shirt, such is his influence on the dressing room.
18. Joe Gomez
Beginnings (Sub): 11 (10) Average rating: 7.12
Has Joe Gomez played his last game for Liverpool?
This is to be seen, but the defender made a frustrating campaign, he has had to settle for being the fourth option center.
Only four league starts came in his comeback season, but that was not his fault and he was a reliable figure when asked for two positions.
The hope is that Gomez will stay, although the appeal of being regular elsewhere may be too great to reject.
17. Roberto Firmino
Beginnings (Sub): 17 (18) Average rating: 7.25
There is no doubt that Roberto Firmino’s best days are long gone and this was a season that saw him blow hot and cold.
His global tact, energy and influence are no longer what they used to be, but he remains a major player in the squad to move forward.
A total of 11 goals and five assists in 17 starts is a strong return, to be fair, but there were too many disappointing samples.
= 13. Takumi Minamino
Beginnings (Sub): 9 (15) Average rating: 7.75
Takumi Minamino was arguably Liverpool’s most underrated player of the 2021/22 season, given the impact he had on national cups.
Without him, there might not have been a trophy.
The Japanese striker scored some huge goals in both the League Cup and the FA Cup, as well as the draw at home against Leicester in stoppage time in the first, not to mention a league goal with shine in Southampton last month.
Like a few players in the squad, Minamino could leave this summer, but it would be preferable for him to stay.
= 13. Kostas Tsimikas
Beginnings (Sub): 19 (7) Average rating: 7.75
After a horrific first season involving Covid problems and injuries, Kostas Tsimikas came to life at Liverpool in 2021/22.
The Greek proved to be a fantastic substitute for the Andy Robertson, not only providing similar levels of quality to the playing field (five assists in total), but also a lot of character.
Tsimikas ’penalty kick in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea was a glorious moment as he engraved his name in the folklore of the Reds.
= 13. Near Keita
Beginnings (Sub): 25 (15) Average Rating: 8
Eventually Liverpool secured a largely unscathed Naby Keita and enjoyed their best season with Liverpool in the process.
The 27-year-old had some great performances in the fall, especially in Man United’s 5-0 win, and a couple of impressive goals against Atletico Madrid and Crystal Palace also drew attention.
Keita’s form dropped slightly towards the end – his shot in the Champions League final will not be forgotten for a while – but we often saw the real Naby, pressing relentlessly and using the ball wisely. license.
= 13. Diogo Jota
Beginnings (Sub): 39 (16) Average rating: 8
Some players may suffer from the second season syndrome, but Diogo Jota had no problem with it.
The Portuguese scored 21 goals, in all competitions, and remained high when Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The ruthless attack on Everton; the double of the League Cup semi-finals at Arsenal; the FA Cup winner against Nottingham Forest: Jota’s contribution was huge.
Don’t let a sub-normal end of the campaign fool you: it was a great effort for him and only Jordan Henderson (57) made more appearances than his 55.
12. Jordan Henderson
Beginnings (Sub): 43 (14) Average rating: 8.12
This was not Henderson’s most vintage campaign, but it improved as it progressed.
The captain’s form was erratic at first, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t key contributions, with outstanding displays in United and Everton’s thrashings, with two memorable assists and one goal.
Henderson was better as No. 6 in the spring and his presence grew once the big games arrived.
However, he will be 32 at the start of next season and cannot continue to be a week after a week away.
11. Andy Robertson
Beginnings (Sub): 44 (3) Average rating: 8.62
At this point, it’s a real shock if Robertson offers anything less than an eight-in-10 projection.
The Scot once again became Liverpool’s player of consistency in 2021/22, bringing his perfect combination of defensive endurance and offensive performance.
His total of 15 assists coincided with the most praised Trent Alexander-Arnold and was only surpassed by Mohamed Salah (18), while his first goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield was huge.
Klopp would certainly not trade him for any left winger in the world.
= 8. Ibrahima Konate
Beginnings (Sub): 26 (3) Average rating: 8.87
If Luis Diaz’s mid-season was impressive, Ibrahima Konate’s first full year for Liverpool was unusual.
Few would have expected it to fit so perfectly into the setup, but in a very short time, the center played a young Virgil van Dijk.
When the big Champions League matches came, Klopp opted for ‘Ibou’ against Joel Matip and also scored vital goals against Benfica and Man City.
Konate’s potential is huge and could become one of the best power plants in the world.
= 8. Thiago
Beginnings (Sub): 26 (13) Average rating: 8.87
After a successful first season at Anfield, it was Thiago who has stood out as one of the best midfielders in Europe over the last decade.
For much of the season, the 31-year-old was a monstrous figure in the middle of the park, controlling games, chopping tackles and forming a perfect match with Fabinho.
There were typical moments of magic, from the beautiful attack on Porto to the home game of the Wolves: Liverpool have not had a more aesthetic midfielder in decades.
The fact that Thiago was not completely fit during the Champions League final was key in the end, unfortunately.
= 8. Fabinho
Beginnings (Sub): 41 (7) Average rating: 8.87
Liverpool’s “lighthouse” became empires again throughout the campaign, rather than reinforcing its reputation as Europe’s number 6.
There were times when Fabinho felt as important as Alisson and Van Dijk in making the Reds so determined, and he was sorely missed when he was injured.
Far from defensive brilliance, the Brazilian also participated with a surprising number of eight goals, which meant he finished the season in sixth place in the goal standings.
7. Luis Diaz
Beginnings (Sub): 18 (8) Average rating: 9.00
Virgil van Dijk and Luis Suarez may have something to say, but has there ever been a bigger incorporation of the Reds in January?
Diaz was a signing who came out of nowhere and it is no exaggeration to say that his arrival not only kept Liverpool’s quadruple dream intact, but gave him a boost.
Six goals and four assists do not do justice to the impact Diaz had, with his pace and quality revitalizing a tired-looking Liverpool attack.
It should only get better as you get used to the language and refine its ending …