With the PFA Team of the Year and various PFA Player of the Year awards (congratulations to Luis Suarez by winning the main prize – thoroughly deserved), it is that time of the year again where everyone hands out awards and grades for the season, even though it has not finished and the voting was done some time ago!
However, despite my scepticism over the timing, it seems appropriate to follow the trend – only instead focusing on the men in Anfield red.
Goalkeepers – (Simon Mignolet, Brad Jones)
With 38 appearances to his name, Simon Mignolet has unquestionably been Liverpool’s first choice keeper. With very little competition from Brad Jones and Pepe Reina on loan at Napoli, Mignolet has played in every single league game for the Reds, as well as the two League Cup fixtures.
The Belgian has proven only in his debut season that he has represented value for money, being one of the best shot stoppers around. His penalty save against Stoke on the opening day comes to mind as well. However, like Reina before him, errors have crept into his game, most notably against Aston Villa at Anfield.
Despite a good first season, doubts remain as to whether he can make the step up to the world class level Liverpool now need from their goalkeeper as they seek to maintain a top four status and challenge for trophies. Mignolet – 7/10
Jones has only appeared in the FA Cup, and has handled himself fairly well, albeit against lower opposition prior to the Arsenal defeat. Jones – 6/10
Defence – (Glen Johnson, Jon Flanagan, Jose Enrique, Aly Cissokho, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure)
Not the strongest point of Liverpool’s team by any stretch of the imagination, but an area which has improved from Brendan Rodgers’ debut season as manager.
Glen Johnson has had injury troubles during the season, while his defending is still not the best. Conversely, his attacking play has never been better and his pace, strength and control on the ball makes him a perfect Rodgers player, as he can be utilised in various systems and still be effective.
Even with the occasional defensive letdowns, he remains one of the best right backs in the league and has played a considerable part in this title push. Unfortunately, his age and wage mean that he could be vulnerable to a departure in the summer. Johnson – 7/10
Jon Flanagan has been a revelation ever since he impressed in the 3-3 draw at Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby. He has gone on from strength to strength and it is testament to his performances that he is one of the dark horses for Roy Hodgson’s England squad.
Fully committed and with a passion similar to what fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher brought to the defence, he has taken on the left back mantle superbly, despite being a right-footed right back. He may not be first choice next season but will still make regular appearances, with additional games next season due to Liverpool’s 5 year end of Champions League exile. Flanagan – 7.5/10
Jose Enrique has made just 7 starts in a season which has been crippled by injury. However, prior to that it appeared that Rodgers did not fully trust him, as he struggles to retain the ball and be accurate in his passing.
His physical strength was impressive early on this season, as it always has been, but he can be beaten too easily by his opponent. It is a shame for Enrique as he is unlikely to want to remain as a back-up left back, with Flanagan’s form and another left back purchase likely in the summer. The Spaniard started well under Dalglish but has regressed since. Enrique – 5/10
On loan from Valencia, Aly Cissokho has done well to make 18 appearances this season, capitalising on injuries to Johnson, Enrique and Flanagan.
His inconsistency has been the only consistent aspect of his game this season, sometimes looking dynamite going forward to then being unable to make the most simplest of passes, while he can have attackers in his pocket or walking past with ease. Very unlikely to be at Anfield next season.
Cissokho – 4.5/10
Currently one of the best centre backs in the Premier League – that demonstrates the progress Martin Skrtel has made this season. On the verge of leaving Anfield at the start of the season having lost his place in the side to the retiring Jamie Carragher, he decided to stay and fight and improve under Brendan Rodgers.
The results have been wondrous.
Despite still having a tendency to grab and wrestle with the opposition, Skrtel has become far more composed on the ball, more consistent in his reading of the game and increasingly adept at slide challenges and his timing of interceptions.
Even his heading, which was already excellent, has improved at the other end, with his 7 league goals vital in the title challenge. His performances look to have ensured him another year at Liverpool.
Skrtel – 8/10
The most talented centre back at the club, Daniel Agger, has experienced a mixed campaign. The injury issues show no sign of slowing, while he increasingly looks vulnerable to physical strikers, such as Wilfried Bony at Swansea.
Consequently he has found his place under threat from the likes of Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho. Toure and Skrtel were the early partnership this season, while Sakho enjoyed a run in the team at the end of 2013 and just recently has broken back into the side due to another injury from the Dane.
Still just as composed on the ball and excellent at interceptions, Agger would be a great squad player, yet his injuries and slowly declining pace mean that his chances of being first choice next season are remote. Therefore this might be the final season for the man who many love on Merseyside, having arrived in 2006. Agger – 6/10
It was a hefty price tag, but transfer deadline day does tend to inflate the market. Liverpool’s capture of another left sided defender in Mamadou Sakho from Paris Saint-Germain represented a long term warning for Agger, which has become fully justified.
When fit, Sakho has adjusted in very well alongside Skrtel, although his control and distribution of the ball need to improve. Yet if Rodgers can improve Skrtel in a similar regard, next season this can be applied to the Frenchman.
Furthermore, whatever he lacks in finesse he makes up for in strength. Sakho loves a confrontation, which makes him very useful at neutralising the likes of Bony. At only 24, Sakho could be first choice for many years to come, especially alongside another young, world class centre back if the likes of Toure, Agger and Coates leave (Hummels or Mangala?). Sakho – 7/10
Kolo Toure has had his moments this season for Liverpool, with that back-pass against West Brom and the own goal against Fulham immediately springing to mind.
However, it would do the Ivorian a disservice not to mention his form in the early stages of the season, which was excellent. His performance in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa was exemplary, as he restricted Christian Benteke on numerous occasions.
In contrast, Toure has become less reliable as the season has gone on, perhaps stemming from irregular playing time. His confidence has appeared low whenever he has stepped onto the pitch in recent months, instead of that initial calmness under pressure that came from his experience.
Nevertheless, he is almost certain to leave at the end of the season, but can do so in the knowledge that his performances in the first half of the season were crucial in keeping Liverpool in the title race.
He has certainly paid back his price tag! Toure – 6.5/10
Unfortunately toure will be remembered for that gift against west brom. The pass that has probably cost us the title
To be fair stevie I think the SG slip will be the one that cost us, not attaching any blame at all though. I think if we had gone in 0-0 at half time, BR would have played more evenly/defensively rather than attack. as we had 45 minutes to get back into the game we had no choice but to go all out attack, which eventually led to us being over exposed on the counter. The Toure back pass is part of football. Time wasting from the very first minute and adding those un-needed minutes of added on time first half against CFC probably have cost us the most.
I think the mignolet gift to negredo cost us the league
SG slip was desasterous , toure was shambolic , but mignolet cost us against our main opposition he been poor , I hope he improves or atleast we get reina back
Plenty of players have made what in tennis terminology are called “unforced errors”. Tour’s, Mignolet’s and stevie’s are remembered, but others have cost us as well but in less memorable games. The question is per player how much have they contributed to our overall success. In this manner Stevie has been critical for us defensively and offensively, while someone like Cissokho has struggled to help the team and hence are more culpable. For me I think Mignolet has had a mediocre season and I’d only give him a 6/10. I want Pepe back.