Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has gradually worked towards moulding a squad in his own image: aggressive, fast-paced, capable of exciting football and of making the crowd feel involved, excited and optimistic. It has been a big step forward for the side in the 2017/18 campaign and could yet get much better, with a Champions League semi-final to navigate next.
The Reds have had a string of fine performers across the season and, in particular, since the turn of the year, when Klopp made alterations to his entire defensive setup. That has led to improved performances and more consistent results for the most part, with the front line still firing on all cylinders.
But who have been the most influential, not necessarily the best, in each area of the pitch?
Goalkeeper: Loris Karius
There wouldn’t even usually be a question over the most influential goalkeeper, but such has been the Reds’ issues in the position over the last few years, it’s worth looking at.
Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have had half a season each as No. 1, but it’s the German who has played better, been more reliable and emerged as a key part of the back line with improving performances.
Added to that, he has been the Champions League goalkeeper throughout the run to the last four, playing an important role even early on.
Defender: Virgil van Dijk
Half a season and yet arguably the biggest influence on the team’s upturn in form.
Virgil van Dijk has already been worth every penny of the £75 million Liverpool spent on him, and he should go on to prove it again and again over the coming seasons.
His organisation and encouragement of fellow defenders alone make him a core component of the back line, but his technical ability as a defender and when in possession is also outstanding. Van Dijk doesn’t wear the armband but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him emerge as a candidate whenever the regular skippers are unavailable.
A real leader and a tremendous acquisition.
Midfielder: James Milner
The most open area of the pitch in terms of who has had most influence on the team, but overall the most experienced member of the side edges it.
Milner was barely in the team until winter, featuring only sporadically in midfield after an entire campaign spent at left-back. But, since the turn of the year, he has been magnificent—undroppable by Klopp, particularly in Europe.
The last third of the campaign has been peppered with Milner’s domineering and noteworthy displays, marauding down the channels as often as he has been involved in tigerish defending outside his own box. He still has much to offer this developing side and his run of form couldn’t have been better-timed.
Forward: Mohamed Salah
It’s genuinely a close call: would Mohamed Salah have scored as many goals as he has done, had Roberto Firmino not been as selfless, as intelligent and as relentless as he has been all season? The Brazilian forward is critical to the Liverpool cause and it was near-scandalous that he wasn’t included on the Player of the Year shortlist...but, ultimately, Firmino would have played his way regardless of his team-mates.
Salah, in his debut season and having never before scaled such heights, has been monstrous.
His finishing is unrivalled in the English top flight; cool, composed and technically superb, almost part-playmaker in the way he finds the back of the net.
Salah has been the best player in the Premier League this season, and the biggest influence on Liverpool’s incredible, nigh-unstoppable attack.
