Liverpool's Premier League Champions - 2019/20 Player Ratings

Jack Hallows rates Liverpool's inevitables after their insane 99 point, 85 goal, title-winning Premier League season.

European Super Cup? Completed it mate.

Club World Cup? Completed it mate.

Premier League? Completed it mate.

What a season. What a manager. What a team.

What a club.

2019/20 was arguably Liverpool's most successful season in the Premier League era.

They spent the season as reigning European champions, adding the champions of the world tag in December and as if almost inevitably, champions of England in June.

Jürgen Klopp has truly built a special squad during his 5 years on Merseyside so far and I think I've definitely picked the best time to do a full season player ratings. I've tried not to be biased because, in my opinion, all these boys deserve a 20/10.

Let's jump in.

No. 1: Alisson Becker - 8.5/10

The Brazilian is truly the best goalkeeper in England, if not Europe and his importance to this team was only truly felt when he was forced to miss a run of games at the start of the campaign due to a calf injury.

The Reds kept just three clean sheets in all competitions without the former Roma man between the sticks before going on a run of 11 Premier League games in which they conceded just a single goal after he settled back in over Christmas.

His assist against United is probably one of the moments of the season but he does lose a half mark for his red card against Brighton.

No. 66: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 9/10

I don't feel like I have anywhere near enough space to write about this lad.

Heir apparent to Gerrard's scouse legend crown, Trent went to another level this season, breaking his own Premier League record for most assists in a season by a defender and adding goals to his game with three sweetly-struck free-kicks and a pearler against Leicester.

A near ever-present for the Reds, Trent finished the season with 17 Premier League goal contributions - as many as Bobby Firmino! He's a right-back for god sake!

No. 12: Joe Gomez - 8/10

Liverpool looked their best in defence when this man was positioned in between Trent and Virgil.

The 23-year-old was imperious during the period between November and March, playing a huge role in the Reds' run of 11 games where they conceded just once away to Wolves.

His performances fell off massively after the break however and this was amplified by the fact he picked up four yellow cards in the final seven fixtures of the campaign. He's still my first choice for a Virgil partner but there's definitely room for improvement from Gomez.

No. 4 - Virgil van Dijk - 9/10

The idea that Virgil wasn't as effective this season is a myth brought about by the Reds' struggles to keep consistent clean sheets with the calamitous Adrian in goal.

Virgil finished the season having started every fixture, outlining his continued importance to Klopp's side, with his imperious figure at left centre back causing problems for even the best forwards in the league.

His combination of physicality, pace, composure and vision is genuine 'made in a lab' content and even on a bad day he's still notably head and shoulders above most players on the pitch.

In the other box, Virgil was equally as effective, scoring 5 goals in the league and finishing behind only the front three, Wijnaldum and Ox in the top scorers' list.

No. 26: Andrew Robertson - 9/10.

Robbo was the epitome of spending the previous week celebrating when the Reds' got battered by Man City just days after winning the title but aside from that it was another huge season for the Scot.

As with Trent on the opposite flank, the Reds no.26 is a constant threat down the wing with his left foot responsible for 3 goals and 12 assists - all while playing a part in the stingiest defence in the league.

It may not have resulted in a win but his header against Burnley was one of my goals of the season!

No. 3: Fabinho - 8/10.

The Brazilian was fairly patchy this season with early momentum interrupted by an injury sustained against Manchester City in November.

Our No.3 struggled upon his return to the side, looking a little off the pace at times and failing to really create momentum. There were some serious highs - such as two thunderbolts against City and Palace - while his tendency to pop up with an assist every few games was a welcome boost.

Other than the fateful night at City where everyone struggled, Fabinho did look one of the Reds' best players after the COVID restart.

No. 14: Jordan Henderson - 8.5/10.

Captain Fantastic 2.0.

Hendo was actually dreadful to start the season, with his performances in the first month or two fairly disappointing. A goal against Spurs in an impressive October fight back seemed to change everything however and the captain then went up another level after Fabinho's injury against City.

It's hard for some to see the true importance of Henderson at times but the way he helps motivate his team and refuses to let their performance levels drop is immense.

To further highlight how much he's missed when he's absent, the Reds' dropped points in six league games this season - Hendo featured in just two.

No.5: Gini Wijnaldum - 7.5/10.

Other than against Barcelona last season, Gini Wijnaldum has always been an extremely difficult player to rate out of 10 since his arrival on Merseyside in 2016.

He's extremely good at what he does but at times he does leave you wondering what exactly that is.

The Dutchman did match his most prolific goalscoring season in a Liverpool shirt with four league goal and an additional two Champions League strikes and overall had a good campaign but it wasn't what I'd call exceptional.

Interestingly this marked the second full season in which the former Newcastle midfielder failed to provide a single assist.

No. 10: Sadio Mané - 9.5/10 (PotY).

Sadio gets my vote for Liverpool's Player of the Year.

He may not have finished as our top scorer, or top assist maker or whatever other stat metrics you want to use but having watched every single game of the season - a number of them more than once - he was certainly our most consistent attacker.

18 goals and 7 assists marked his most goal contributions in a Premier League campaign and out of everyone he was the one who clearly refused to be beaten time and time again.

From a man of the match performance in the Super Cup final against Chelsea, to a dramatic late goal and assist at Villa Park, to toying with the Ev at Anfield to assisting Firmino's winner in the Club World Cup final.

Mané was absolutely brilliant this season.

No. 11: Mo Salah - 9/10

It's got to be tough being Mo Salah sometimes. 36 goal contributions in all competitions with 19 goals and 10 assists in 34 Premier League appearances yet the Egyptian King is seldom mentioned when discussing Liverpool's PotY award and has been omitted from numerous Team of the Season line ups.

The former Chelsea winger finished the season one goal away from a third consecutive 20+ goal and 10+ assist league campaign and was extremely unlucky not to get there, hitting the woodwork three times in eight games after the restart.

Another stellar season from our Egyptian flier, who will begin next season needing just six goals to bring up his century for the club.

No. 9: Roberto Firmino - 8/10.

It feels harsh to give Bobby Firmino an 8/10 because his game is about so much more than just goals but truth be told, he didn't contribute enough of them this season.

It wasn't for the want of trying but the striker's single league goal at Anfield scored on the final day was a far cry below where he should've been and while he still finished the season with double figures in all competitions, he scored just three times in his final 20 Premier League and Champions League appearances for the season.

Firmino did, however, seem to save his goals for when they were needed most. The Brazilian scored both winners in the Club World Cup, along with five eventual winners in the Premier League with huge away goals at Palace, Spurs, Chelsea, Wolves and Southampton.

No.6: Dejan Lovren - 7/10.

Degsy, Degsy, Degsy.

His 7/10 literally only comes as the result of not playing huge amounts this season, with just three appearances since Christmas.

The Croatian was actually very good in the first half of the season when he appeared, playing well against Leicester, Spurs, Man City, Napoli and Everton at Anfield. It was his goal that saw the Reds qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League while his assist for Origi against the Ev will live long in the memory.

His 17-minute cameo at Goodison immediately after the restart was, however, a reminder of what he can be capable of in a negative light and was likely the catalyst for Klopp allowing him to leave this summer.

Thanks for the years of service Degsy, best of luck in Russia.

No.7: James Milner - 8/10.

Another Klopp regular who seems to be being fazed out bit by bit, Milner was typically reliable when called upon - especially in midfield - and he was able to carry on his impressive penalty record for the club, sinking against Leicester both home and away.

The Reds' vice-captain started just three games after Christmas but was typically professional in each.

Personally, I hope he sticks around another year as his level of professionalism, his attitude and his winning mentality are so important to the dynamic of this squad.

No.8: Naby Keïta - 8/10.

Another stop/start season for Naby but encouragingly, the little Guinean midfielder seemed to find two very good patches of form and fitness this season.

There was a run between November and January where the Reds' number 8 was genuinely unplayable and he scored in three consecutive games across three competitions to really solidify a starting place in December.

After the COVID restart, fans were gagging to see more of him after a promising display in the derby and he didn't disappoint when given his chances.

A lovely pair of assists against Villa and Brighton displayed his vision and pressing awareness while a screamer against Chelsea almost served as a way of saying "hello Premier League, it's taken a little while but I've arrived."

No.13: Adrian - 5.5/10.

Ah, man.

Adrian did an alright job when stepping in for Alisson while injured early in the campaign and he'll always have the Super Cup penalty save and that ludicrous stop against Napoli but the Spaniard truly was a reminder of just how good the man he backs up is.

A nightmare against Southampton, mistakes galore that thankfully went unpunished against Arsenal, a Mignolet-esque dawdle off a Brighton free kick and of course, the Atletico fiasco were just some of the notable problems caused by the former West Ham stopper.

Of course, he should never have had to play as much as he did, that is true but also... yikes.

No.15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 8.5/10.

I love Ox.

He's not the most gifted of players technically, nor is he a mercurial talent but the guy works extremely hard and gives his all for this club.

The former Arsenal man enjoyed his first full, un-interrupted campaign on Merseyside and while he was stuck out wide for much of his minutes, he still made the absolute most of it with his most prolific goalscoring season of his career (8).

His little dink off the underside of the crossbar against Genk is also a good shout for Liverpool's goal of the season.

No.18: Takumi Minamino - 6/10.

An exciting and shrewd signing in the January window, the Japanese international was a bit of a disappointment it has to be said - mostly due to the fact he was barely able to feature.

He looked good against Newcastle o the final day but that's all I can really say!

No.23: Xherdan Shaqiri - 6/10.

As with Taki, Shaq was barely given a run this season - strange after how good he was in 2018/19 when called upon.

Provided a timely reminder of his ability against Everton in December but it looks as if he'll be out the door this summer.

No.27: Divock Origi - 6.5/10.

Origi's goals late last season earned him a shiny new deal at the club ahead of this season and a great performance on the opening day where he forced an own goal before scoring one for himself showed early promise.

Unfortunately, it was another season of promise that ended in disappointment for the Belgian who struggled to really press a convincing case for a starting spot.

A pair of braces in the cup against Arsenal and in the league against Everton were reminders of his talent but he wouldn't score again until the final day of the season.

No.32: Joel Matip - 8/10.

Injuries aside, Matip enjoyed a fruitful season in terms of stock among Liverpool fans, cementing his position as the first-choice centre back for the early parts of the campaign and even outperforming Virgil on occasion.

The Cameroonian looked more assured on the ball and seemed to have found an extra yard of pace, his block off Aubameyang at Anfield a perfect example. He also seemed to have improved in the air, averaging 5.2 aerials won per 90 minutes in the league and sending a bullet header into the top corner against Arsenal.

Sadly though it was more of the same on the injury fronts, with the defender playing just 75 minutes of league football since October.