Liverpool have been untouchable in their march to the 2024/25 Premier League title. Here, Rowan Callaghan takes a look at five players who have stood out in a remarkably strong team performance from Arne Slot’s side.
Alisson Becker
Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper has enjoyed another great season. Despite No 2 Caoimhin Kelleher stepping up admirably in his injury-enforced absence, Alisson remains an assured presence in goal for the Reds.
He can rightfully lay claim to the title of the best goalkeeper in one-one-situations in the league. As the last line of defence, Alisson has often had to bail the Liverpool backline out of some tricky situations.
He has conceded a miserly 20 goals in his 24 league games so far, including 10 clean sheets. Only Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest and David Raya of Arsenal have more clean sheets, but they have played about 10 more matches than the Brazilian shot-stopper.
The Reds may be preparing for the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, but he will face a mammoth task in unseating the current No 1.
Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool skipper is still up there among the very best central defenders in the world. He has been a real leader at the back for the Reds, despite a slight tailing off in form when the title was all but wrapped up.
Van Dijk was arguably the one player Liverpool could not afford to lose this season. Reds fans will be extremely grateful that he came through their record-equalling campaign unscathed. Like Alison, he brings an assuredness and control to the Liverpool rearguard.
His reading of the game is unmatched and he still has the speed to make recovery runs despite his advancing years. The Skipper also looks fitter than ever, and his contract extension will be music to the ears of Liverpool fans ready to go again next season.
Ryan Gravenberch
The evolution of the Dutch midfielder is certainly one of the greatest achievements of Slot’s maiden campaign. Gravenberch had an underwhelming last season, with questions surrounding where his best position was in the Reds’ engine room. But he has stepped up this season to anchor the midfield in the No 6 role.
The failure to land Martin Zubimendi was quickly forgotten. The Dutchman has been the main disruptor of opposition attacks, often acting as the defensive shield. He has also shown the uncanny ability to turn defence into attack, driving the Reds forward and evading tackles with a dip of the shoulder or a feint.
He will probably be disappointed with a failure to hit the back of the net more often but Liverpool fans won’t mind. He is likely to be the base around which future Reds midfields are built.
Luis Diaz
With 12 goals and five assists in the Premier League, Diaz more than made his mark in the Liverpool attack. The Colombian has often provided the spark with his pace and trickery when his teammates have failed to fire.
He helped shoulder much of the goalscoring burden in the latter part of the season when other Reds forwards went off the boil. His vital contributions ensured the Reds’ title charge never faltered. Diaz also deserves lots of credit for his work rate and industry.
The live-wire can often be seen tracking back all the way to the Liverpool box after surrendering possession high up the field. His passion and fire have made him a fan favourite.
Mohamed Salah
The ‘Egyptian King’ has been nothing but sensational this season in a Liverpool shirt. It can be argued that this has been his best campaign at the club. He has already broken the record for goals and assists in a 38-game Premier League season. He has racked up 28 goals and 18 assists already in the top flight. The fleet-footed menace is a shoo-in for the Player of the Season accolade, such has been his impact. Salah has credited Slot with allowing him the freedom to focus on his attacking game, shorn of some of his defensive responsibilities. And how he has repaid that faith! The worrying thing for opposition fans is that Salah shows no sign of slowing down, despite being 32. He looks ready to rule the Kop for a good few years yet.
