We’ve now seen enough of Liverpool this season for me to start forming some proper opinions on who has impressed me — and who has left me wanting much more.
And I have to say, my best five probably won’t surprise too many people.
The worst five, though, might cause a bit more debate.
These are purely my personal rankings based on what I’ve seen from Liverpool so far this season.
My five best Liverpool players
1. Jeremy Jacquet
For me, Jacquet has been Liverpool’s best player this season.
And I don’t think that is particularly controversial anymore.
The young French defender has stepped into the team and looked remarkably composed for someone still so young.
His performance at Bournemouth was another example. He made some excellent tackles, looked comfortable in possession and helped Liverpool keep another clean sheet. BBC Sport’s player ratings named him their Liverpool player of the match, while Liverpool supporters also voted him Player of the Match.
What I particularly like is that he doesn’t seem frightened by the responsibility.
He’s playing alongside Virgil van Dijk and looking like he belongs there.
Jacquet has been one of the biggest positives of the season for me.
2. Alexis Mac Allister
I’ve been saying for a while that I want to see more of Mac Allister, and I think we’ve seen why.
When Liverpool have looked short of ideas, Mac Allister has often been the player trying to make something happen.
He scored against Atlético Madrid and also returned to the starting XI for the Bournemouth victory, where he helped Liverpool control the midfield better.
I still think Liverpool look better when Mac Allister is heavily involved.
For me, he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
3. Virgil van Dijk
I don’t think Van Dijk has necessarily had to produce his absolute best football every week, but he’s been incredibly reliable.
Liverpool have now put together three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, and Van Dijk has been at the heart of that defence alongside Jacquet.
What I love about Van Dijk is that even when Liverpool aren’t playing particularly well, he gives the team a sense of security.
And with such a young player beside him, his experience is absolutely vital.
He’s still the leader of this Liverpool defence.
4. Cody Gakpo
Gakpo has been excellent.
Actually, I’d go further than that — he has probably been Liverpool’s most consistently dangerous attacker so far.
Look at what happened at Bournemouth.
Liverpool were struggling to create anything, but Gakpo produced the moment that mattered, charging down the right and getting the ball into the danger area before Isak eventually finished.
He also scored against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and has been involved in goals throughout the opening weeks.
There’s something different about Gakpo this season.
He looks confident.
He looks aggressive.
And he looks like a player who knows exactly what he wants to do when he gets the ball.
5. Alisson
This one is almost automatic.
Alisson is still Alisson.
When Liverpool have needed him, he’s been there.
The save against Evanilson at Bournemouth was particularly important because Liverpool weren’t playing well and couldn’t afford to concede. BBC Sport described it as a great reaction save, while his performance helped Liverpool secure another clean sheet.
That’s what you want from a world-class goalkeeper.
You don’t necessarily notice him for 80 minutes.
Then suddenly he produces something that wins you points.
Liverpool need Alisson fit and firing all season.
My five worst Liverpool players
Now for the controversial bit.
These aren’t players I think Liverpool should get rid of.
They’re simply the five players who, for me, have disappointed the most compared with what I expected from them.
1. Ryan Gravenberch
This is probably my biggest disappointment.
I know Gravenberch has ability.
I’ve seen enough of him to know that.
But I don’t think we’ve seen the consistency Liverpool need from him this season.
There have been games where he has struggled to influence the midfield, and I still have concerns about whether the Gravenberch-Szoboszlai combination gives Liverpool enough control.
He was dropped to the bench for the Bournemouth game, having started against Fulham.
I want much more from Gravenberch.
2. Florian Wirtz
This is the one that will probably get me the most criticism.
But I’m sticking with it.
Wirtz is a phenomenal footballer and I still believe Liverpool have a special player on their hands.
However, I don’t think we’ve seen enough of him yet.
There have been flashes.
There have been moments where you see exactly why Liverpool paid so much for him.
But there have also been long periods where he has disappeared from games.
Even after the Bournemouth win, BBC Sport described his performance as another difficult day, although he did play a part in the winning goal.
That’s the problem for me.
I’m not questioning his talent.
I’m questioning his influence.
I want to see Wirtz taking games by the scruff of the neck.
3. Milos Kerkez
Kerkez is another player I expected more from.
I like his aggression and his willingness to get forward, but defensively there have been moments where I’ve felt Liverpool look vulnerable down his side.
At Bournemouth, BBC Sport noted that he struggled initially and was targeted with balls over his head, although they also acknowledged his effort and battling qualities.
I don’t think he’s been terrible.
But considering what Liverpool need from their full-backs, I haven’t been convinced enough yet.
There’s plenty of time for that to change.
4. Rio Ngumoha
This is probably the harshest one.
And I want to make that clear.
Ngumoha is still a teenager.
I’m not expecting him to carry Liverpool’s attack.
But if I’m ranking performances so far, I haven’t seen enough yet to put him above the players I’ve selected.
He has shown flashes of his ability — including scoring against Wrexham in pre-season — but he’s still learning what it takes to play consistently at this level.
For me, this is much more about expectations than criticism.
I think Ngumoha could become a very good player.
He just isn’t there yet.
5. Dominik Szoboszlai
This is another controversial one because Szoboszlai has actually produced some important moments.
He scored the late penalty at Newcastle.
He scored a fantastic goal against Atlético Madrid.
And then he produced another spectacular finish against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
But I’m judging the overall performances, not just the goals.
I still have doubts about him playing in a two-man midfield.
His passing and positioning haven’t always convinced me, and I think Liverpool need more control from that area of the pitch.
So despite those big moments, he makes my bottom five.
So that’s my list
My best five
1. Jeremy Jacquet
2. Alexis Mac Allister
3. Virgil van Dijk
4. Cody Gakpo
5. Alisson
My worst five
1. Ryan Gravenberch
2. Florian Wirtz
3. Milos Kerkez
4. Rio Ngumoha
5. Dominik Szoboszlai
And I know some of these choices will probably cause arguments.
That’s football.
You don’t have to agree with me.
In fact, I’d be interested to know which players Liverpool supporters would put in their own top five and bottom five.
Because we’re still very early in the season.
A player sitting in my bottom five today could easily be in my top five a few months from now.
And that’s exactly what I’m hoping happens.
Especially with Wirtz, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.
Liverpool have plenty of football still to play — and plenty of time for these rankings to change.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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