!NEW! Liverpool F.C. – Zonal Marking

Today marks not only the restart of the Premier League, but also the start of a new feature here on The LFC File: Zonal Marking. Here Matthew Hardiker will take a look at the performance of the team, but from a zonal perspective. Thus, defence, midfield and attack. Here we kick off the proceedings with a “season so far” summary.

Liverpool are set for a return to action against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, June 21. Before then, this is a look at the entire Liverpool squad and their performances so far this season – split into three separate sections for the defenders and goalkeepers, the midfielders, and the attackers – each one given a score out of 10. 

Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson’s injury record has doubled this season but his super saves against Norwich City and West Ham United are just a selection of the Brazilians highlights from the current campaign. His assist for Salah’s late winner against Manchester United sparked a sense of belief around Anfield that this Liverpool side were good enough to win the league, and the pitch length celebration which followed will live long in the memory of Liverpool supporters from around the world. 

 

When Alisson was injured, Liverpool’s new second choice goalkeeper, Adrian San Miguel, did a fine job of securing the points for Liverpool – especially in the opening fixtures of the campaign in which he made a number of crucial saves. His horror performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League might have damaged his reputation amongst the fan base but it is important to remember what a vital contribution he’s had on Liverpool’s Premier League success early on as we head towards the tail end of the season. 

 

Virgil Van Dijk has continued to remind everyone why he is the best defender not only in the Premier League, but in world football, and this is something which has become even more apparent when the Dutchman has featured alongside Joe Gomez. 

 

On top of this, Andy Robertson and Trent-Alexander-Arnold have been able to establish themselves as two of the most offensive fullbacks in the league. Trent has already levelled the number of assists from a defender in the top flight which he set himself in 2018-19, and his performance against Leicester on Boxing day could go down as one of the best performances from a right back in Premier League history after he grabbed himself a goal and two assists. 

 

Joel Matip also had a blockbuster start to the campaign before the Cameroon International suffered a knee injury against Manchester United in October, and supporters have not seen him in a Liverpool shirt since, whilst Nathaniel Clyne has also spent the 2019-2020 season side-lined and looks set to leave the club at the end of the season. 

 

The only thing knocking Liverpool’s defence down from a perfect 10 is a number of below par performances which have cropped up after the Reds returned from the winter break. Dejan Lovren’s shocker against Watford resulted in Liverpool’s first loss of the season, and Liverpool looked set for defeat to West Ham at home in February before goals from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane managed to pull things back.

Score: 9

Midfield

At the heart of this Liverpool side is Jordan Henderson – a leader on and off the pitch who has led his team 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Henderson’s influence has been felt profoundly this season with the former Sunderland man pushing those around him to work harder and achieve more. In the form of his career, the 28-year-old has become a strong contender for the PFA Player of the Year award and a beloved captain amongst supporters.

  

Fabinho has also been immense for Liverpool this season with his thunderous strike against Manchester City putting Liverpool ahead before the Reds capitalised on his first half goal and won the game 3-1. He might not have been the same since his return from a ligament injury in January, but there’s little reason to believe that he won’t be back to his best before too long.

 

From the bench, substitutes such as Adam Lallana and James Milner have also played their part with Lallana’s goal against Manchester United in October preventing Ole Gunnar Soljear and his team from breaking Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the earlier stages of the season, whilst James Milner’s penalty against Leicester City prevented the foxes from doing the same later on. 

 

Gini Wijnaldum has showcased the attacking focus of this Liverpool side, whilst Naby Keita has shown real promise for Liverpool despite the fact that his injury record at Anfield continues to grow. Xherdan Shaqiri has been the true exception from Liverpool’s excellence in the centre of the field this season due to his persistent injuries and the 28-year-old has not been able to make an impact for the Reds when he’s managed to get some game time. 

 

With this in mind, there’s little room for improvement in Liverpool’s midfield – an area of Jurgen Klopps team which has been untouchable from the very start of the campaign. 

Score: 10

Attack

Liverpool’s front three have dominated the league again this year. Sadio Mane has been in the form of his career which, like Jordan Henderson, has made him a strong contender for the PFA Player of the Year award and Mo Salah has become the first Liverpool player since Michael Owen almost two decades ago to reach the 20-goal mark in three successive seasons. Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino has shown what an important, team player he is for Liverpool – coming up with the winning goals against Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace despite the face that his goal drought at Anfield continues. 

 

Divock Origi might not have hit the ground running after his Champions League heroics last season which saw him write himself into the history books, but he has shown what an impact he can have from the bench for Liverpool and his performance against Everton in the Merseyside derby was something to behold. 

 

Liverpool’s most recent signing, Takumi Minamino, hasn’t given supporters anything to remember him by since joining the club in January, but it is important to remember that thecentre forward has only received 147 minutes of Premier League game time under Jurgen Klopp and has had to adapt not only to the Premier League, but to a new lifestyle here in England. Therefore, whilst we might not see him start as often as Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, he still has time to make a name for himself at Liverpool. 

Score: 9