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The beginning of a new era?
A fantastic season has come to an end. The club has taken gigantic steps in terms of restoring its former glory by winning the Barclays Premier League and thus becoming the only club to win the title without being in the top three the previous season. Bear in mind that at the beginning of the season the goal was to qualify for the Europa League. This will of course increase the pressure of performing well in the next season, as both supporters and board have high hopes for the Champions League.
An evaluation of the club’s current players is needed in order to progress as we are now taking the next step and entering the famous Champions League.
Starting XI evaluation
4-1-2-1-2
Simon Mignolet // 26 yrs // 39 Apps // 18 Clean Sheets // Avg. Rating 6.82
Was signed in the summer by Brendan Rodgers for £9m and has been worth every pound. With 18 clean sheets he’s the league’s best keeper. He is without a doubt this years most important player with top drawer performances against the bigger teams where he managed to keep the scores down. Will most likely be the starting goal keeper next season as well.
Glen Johnson // 29 yrs // 38 (1) Apps // 2 Goals // 9 Assists // Avg. Rating 7.18
Really high performance throughout the entire season. Has been very useful in the offense and provided second most assists after Luis Suárez which is a big effort for a fullback.
Martin Skrtel // 29 yrs // 36 (3) Apps // 3 Goals // 1 Assists // Avg. Rating 7.17
The 29-year-old Slovakian have had a mixed season with exceptional highs and devastating lows. Was untouchable in the starting XI during the beginning of the season but in the tough December period he was having problems not being really fit. This made room for the up-and-coming youngster Martin Kelly. Scored three goals on corner kicks which makes up for his two own goals.
Daniel Agger // 29 yrs // 36 Apps // 3 Goals // 2 Assists // Avg. Rating 6.98
As the vice captain of the squad and main pillar in the defense Daniel Agger has been one of the most important players this season. The Danish defenseman was surrounded by rumours of leaving for Italian side Napoli as well as title contenders Manchester City in the summer but after all the Dane doesn’t have Y.N.W.A. tattooed on his knuckles for nothing.
José Enrique // 28 yrs // 26 (1) Apps // 1 Goals // 8 Assists // Avg. Rating 7.40
Enrique was the main starter for the majority of the first half of the season until receiving an idiotic tackle from Mathieu Flamini resulting in a knee injury and missing 10 games… During this time Valencia loanee Aly Cissokho made a lasting impression, with great performances in almost every game and thus granting him a lot of game time even after José Enrique’s recovery.
Xabi Alonso // 32 yrs // 30 Apps // 0 Goals // 3 Assists 6.98
The Real Madrid loanee took over the defensive midfield role from Brazilian Lucas instantly sending him higher up the field. Playing as a regista he played a big part in the teams offense as well as the defense. He has been an absolute success and both the team as well as the supporters will sorely miss the Spaniard as he return to Spanish side Real Madrid in the summer. If he would only have been a couple of years younger he would have been brought in on a permanent deal but as he is turning 33 this year and is contracted until 2019 I have a feeling he won’t leave for anything short of £10m which is a bit hefty for a 32-year-old no matter how good he is.
Lucas Leiva // 27 yrs // 34 (2) Apps // 4 Goals // 1 Assists // Avg. Rating 7.14
After receiving bids for as high as £35m from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain I can’t say I wasn’t tempted to sell with his history of injuries… But my affection for the small Brazilian payed off and he has enjoyed an injury free season with great performances.
Steven Gerrard // 34 yrs // 36 (1) Apps // 4 Goals // 9 Assists // Avg. Rating 7.15
The captain of the team have enjoyed a great season as he partook for 90 minutes in almost every Premier League game. A pretty impressing achievement for a 34-year-old box-to-box midfielder. With next season might being his last, at least as a regular starter, the club have to continue the search for a long-time replacement which will not be an easy task.
Coutinho // 21 yrs // 33 (1) Apps // 3 Goals // 6 Assists // Avg. Rating 6.89
Even though not scoring more than three goals and making only six assists, Coutinho has proven that he is a very important player in the team’s offense. Has been setting up a number of goals even if he haven’t been the one handing the finishing pass. Since Xabi Alonso is returning to Santiago Bernabéu and Gerrard not even scoring or assisting on a free kick this season Coutinho will probably take over the role as free kick taker in a matter of time after scoring a 35m screamer in a cup game against Sheffield Wednesday. During the season he has mainly played in the ”number 10 role” slightly behind SAS and only making a few appearances on the left wing in some games where he proved to be useful as well.
Daniel Sturridge // 24 yrs // 35 (4) Apps // 19 Goals // 1 Assists // Avg. Rating 6.92
Was a contender for the top goal scorer of the Barclays Premier League in the 13/14 season but due to two disallowed goals in the last game of the season he finished second with 18 goals, just one goal less than the winner Robin Van Persie. In this season the former Chelsea and Manchester City player has proven himself as a complete goal scorer.
Luis Suárez // 27 yrs // 40 Apps // 19 Goals // 10 Assists // Avg. Rating 6.98
Even though we we’re able to manage his absence in the first couple of games surprisingly well, Suárez has been the key player in the offense this year being both able to finish as well as setting up goals. With 19 goals and 10 assists he has just been amazing in front of the net. Many clubs will without a doubt be in for him in the summer, question is can we manage to keep him at Merseyside for another year or will the controversial Uruguayan leave for a bigger club?
