Who has been Liverpool’s star performer this season?
As the Reds close in on a first title in 30 years, who deserves the plaudits?
Liverpool are on the verge of claiming their first-ever Premier League title, and it hasn’t even been close.
While captain Jordan Henderson was being touted for the PFA Player of the Year award before the enforced break, the four players below have been integral to this season’s success. But which of the quartet has been the side’s star performer?
Sadio Mane
The African Football of the Year, Sadio Mane may spent the 2017/18 season in the shadow of Mo Salah, but he’s been nothing short of phenomenal this year, with a remarkable run that saw him score or assist in six consecutive league games throughout December and into January.
With 14 goals and seven assists to his name so far, he’s an explosive, irreplaceable talent on the left of their attack, as showcased by an injury in late January.
Mohammed Salah
There are occasional claims that Mo Salah has regressed since his stunning debut season, where the skilful Egyptian scored 32 goals in the Premier League, smashing the record for most goals in a 38-game season in the process.
But perhaps it’s just that Liverpool have more weapons in their arsenal now, with Salah still the most potent of all. With 16 goals and six assists in the league, he’s Liverpool’s top scorer and can still be backed at 9/2 to finish the season as the league’s top goalscorer.
Virgil Van Dijk
It’s borderline impossible to write a description of the Dutch defender without using the word ‘imperious’. Since Van Dijk’s arrival at the club, Liverpool have gone from shaky at the back, to almost unshakable, conceding just 20 times in 30 games so far this season.
Last year’s winner of the PFA Player of the Year award could even repeat the feat, unheard of for a defender, but such is his impact at the back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
A full-back who quite simply appears to be playing a different game than his peers.
With a much-lauded passing range, excellent delivery and strong set-pieces, it can be argued that Liverpool’s full-backs (and Alexander-Arnold in particular) are what give them the edge over closest (but not very close) league rivals Manchester City, attacking unpredictably with overlaps, accurate shifts of play and pin-point delivery.
With 12 assists and two goals to his name this season, the youngster is second in the league in terms of assists, from a far deeper role than first-placed Kevin De Bruyne.
Who do you think has been the stand-out performer?
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