How Liverpool’s players have been rated by the ECHO so far this season with Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk all causing a stir
Two months into the season and, one Forest-sized blip aside, Liverpool supporters have had little reason to complain at the early progress of the Arne Slot era. The Reds stand a point clear at the top of the Premier League table while reaching the last 16 of the League Cup and winning their opening two games in the Champions League.
Not all players, though, have impressed quite as much as others, with the difficulties of some squad members adjusting to new roles and methods having been apparent.
The ECHO has rated Liverpool’s squad throughout the 10 games they have played in all competitions this season, marking them out of 10 for every appearance in which they played for at least 15 minutes.
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The men who have impressed
It will surprise nobody to discover Ryan Gravenberch (7.78) is the most consistently impressive performer for Liverpool so far this campaign having enthusiastically embraced his new deeper-lying midfield role.
And the solid defence that has seen only four goals conceded in 10 games explains why Ibrahima Konate (7.22) and Virgil van Dijk (7.11) are next in the rankings, the former having taken his opportunity after replacing Jarell Quansah at half-time in the opening Premier League weekend at Ipswich Town.
Mohamed Salah (7.00) may have dipped below usual levels in his last two outings but continues to contribute goals and assists, while Luis Diaz (7.00) very much caught the eye during the opening weeks.
Best of the rest
Alexis Mac Allister (6.90) has been overshadowed slightly by Gravenberch, but his displays alongside the Dutchman in the engine room have allowed his team-mate to prosper.
Alisson Becker (6.88) has made good saves when required and will be a big miss through injury, while Trent Alexander-Arnold (6.78) has done well both in attack and defence having largely reverted to a more orthodox right-back role.
In the attack, Diogo Jota (6.78) has benefited from being injury-free and notching regular goals, while Cody Gakpo (6.67) has predominantly made the most of his first-team chances when coming in on the left flank.
Curtis Jones (6.60) missed a few weeks through injury but has lately demonstrated his versatility in both the number six and number 10 roles, the latter in which Dominik Szoboszlai (6.56) continues to suffer a few teething troubles as he adapts to being pushed further forward.
And Andy Robertson (6.50) has been steady enough at left-back while Conor Bradley (6.50) is underlining why he is a solid deputy on the other side of the backline.
Must do better
A number of players such as Caoimhin Kelleher, Quansah, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo haven’t played enough minutes yet to warrant inclusion in the rankings.
But there are two players who will feel they have scope for improvement. Darwin Nunez (6.00) netted a superb solo goal against Bournemouth but has found it difficult for the most part adjusting to the demands of Slot, while Kostas Tsimikas (6.00) will want to kick on from his good showing last time out at Crystal Palace.
