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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Liverpool season ratings: Salah and Fabinho shine but Oxlade-Chamberlain set for the chop

Although Liverpool came up just short in their bid to land the Premier League title on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp's side have still enjoyed the most remarkable of seasons.

Their attempts to snare an unprecedented quadruple may have fallen flat at the hands of Manchester City's remarkable late comeback against Aston Villa, but the Reds already have two trophies in the bag - and could even make it a hat-trick if they can outgun Real Madrid in the Champions League final this weekend.

As a pulsating season draws to a close, Mirror Football runs the rule over the entire Liverpool squad to analyse who was the cream of the crop and who could be facing the chop...

Alisson Becker - Alisson has been consistently excellent since arriving at Anfield, and this season was no expection. The 29-year-old produced some big performances for the Reds this year and shared the Golden Glove with Man City's Ederson on the final game of the season after keeping 20 clean sheets in 36 league games this term. 8

Caoimhin Kelleher - Although Kelleher is unlikely to dislodge Alisson anytime soon, the young Irish shot-stopper had a season to remember. He deputised for Liverpool's No 1 admirably when called upon throughout the campaign and played a pivotal role in the Reds dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph in the Carabao Cup final. 7

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Alexander-Arnold has been at his creative best for the Reds this year; he's racked up a staggering 19 assists in 46 games from right-back, along with two goals. Along with Andy Robertson, Alexander-Arnold is crucial to the Reds swashbuckling style - and he could yet add to his impressive tally with Sunday's Champions League final still on the horizon. 8

Join the debate! Who do you think has been Liverpool's best player this season? Let us know here.

Andrew Robertson has excelled for Liverpool this season (Getty Images)

Joe Gomez - It's been another rough season for Gomez, who has been restricted to just a handful of starts in the Premier League. Both injuries and the outstanding form of others has seen the 25-year-old transition into a peripheral figure at Anfield, and a summer exit could be on the cards. Deputised competently for Alexander-Arnold at right-back for spells. 6

Virgin van Dijk - Liverpool's colossus led enjoyed another fine campaign at the heart of the Reds backline and has coped admirably with the never-ending flurry of big matches considering he missed almost an entire year of action through injury. Has been invaluable in helping Ibrahima Konate adapt to life in the top-flight. Still Liverpool's main man. 8

Joel Matip - Despite the arrival of Konate in the summer, Matip has still featured prominently for the Reds this season. The Cameroon star has even stepped in with some vital goals in recent weeks as the title race went to the wire. The 30-year-old has shown no appetite to simply play second-fiddle to Konate but could be in for a battle to keep his shirt next season. 7

Ibrahima Konate - After a shaky start to life in England, Konate has grown into the season and in recent weeks has shown why Klopp splashed out £36million to bring him to Anfield. Inevitable that the 23-year-old will become Van Dijk's natural partner in time. 8

Andrew Robertson - Liverpool's flying Scotsman endured a rough start to the season, and there were even suggestions that Klopp should rest the ex-Hull man. But Robertson has answered his critics in style and has been in stunning form in recent months. While Alexander-Arnold usually gets the plaudits for Liverpool, Robertson has run his Reds colleague mighty close in terms of returns, netting three strikes and laying on 15 assists. 8

Kostas Tsimikas - Much like Kelleher, Tsimikas has enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough season but is unlikely to nudge ahead of Robertson in the Reds pecking order. However, the Greek international has now established himself as a more-than adequate deputy for Robertson ahead of the new campaign. 7

Liverpool fans are finally starting to see the best of Thiago Alcantara (REUTERS)

James Milner - It's been another steady season for Liverpool's very own Benjamin Button, who has helped to keep things ticking over in a variety of positions. The 36-year-old has made 39 appearances in all competitions for the Reds and is showing no signs of slowing down. 7

Jordan Henderson - Liverpool's captain has been consistently excellent in recent years for Liverpool, and this year was no exception. Henderson stood up to be counted on numerous occasions when the going got tough during this remarkable campaign and has already been rewarded with two trophies. Penned a new long-term deal after months of speculation back in August and looks in good enough nick to lead the Reds for years to come. 7

Fabinho - Now fully restored to his favoured No 6 spot, Fabinho has been one of Liverpool's standout performers this year. After filling in at the back last year, The Brazilian even had a go at auditioning for a forward role earlier in the season, where a rare purple patch saw him bag three goals in four games. As well as racking up some career-best offensive returns this year, Fabinho has reminded everybody that he is one of the finest defensive midfielders in Europe - and it's no coincide that the Reds have thrived him back him in his natural role. 9

Thiago Alcantara - It's taken a while for Liverpool fans to see the real Thiago, but it's been more than worth the wait. The former Barcelona man has left Anfield bewitched with his brilliance at times this year after conjuring up some truly magical moments. Liverpool's chances of winning the Champions League would be majorly boosted by his presence on Saturday evening as he bids to recover from an Achilles issue. 8

Naby Keita - Keita is another star who Liverpool fans have had to be patient to see the best of, but the former RB Leipzig man has finally shown glimpses of what he is truly capable of this term. Still has his work cut out to nail down a permanent spot in a crowded midfield. 7

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Unfortunately for Oxlade-Chamberlain, he's spent another season on the periphery at Anfield - and it's hard to see where he fits in amongst the embarrassment of riches that Klopp can call upon in the engine room. A stint filling in as an auxiliary forward in the New Year didn't work out and a summer switch would probably be best for all parties. 5

Curtis Jones - A youngster with real promise, Jones has stepped up to the fore with some mature performances this year to fill in when the Reds were struck down with injuries. Although Jones hasn't featured as much this season, he has not looked out of place playing alongside Liverpool's array of superstars in the middle of the park. 7

Harvey Elliott - Elliott was seemingly on the cusp of a breakthrough season before he was struck down with a horrific injury early in the campaign. The former Fulham youngster has shown commendable character to rebound in such challenging circumstances, but has failed to hit the heights he reached earlier in the campaign after being eased back into action. Has laid the foundations to go again in the first-team fold next year. 6

Takumi Minamino - Minamino may have bagged a crucial goal to keep Liverpool's title dream alive last week, but he hasn't done enough to force his way anywhere near Klopp's starting plans. With Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane absent for a month due to the Africa Cup of Nations, the Japanese attacker was gifted the perfect opportunity to stake a claim - but he's now even further away from the team after the arrival of Luis Diaz. Another player who looks primed for a summer exit. 5

Divock Origi - Liverpool's ultimate super-sub is set to finally depart this summer - but not before he signed off in style by spearheading another remarkable triumph against Everton. The Belgian striker has long been assured a place in Reds folklore; he'll be hoping to celebrate another European cup before he jets off to AC Milan. 6

Roberto Firmino - It's been a rollercoaster campaign for Roberto Firmino, who has been plagued by injuries this term Diogo Jota's remarkable form earlier in the season had put the Brazilian's long-term place under threat - but Firmino will be looking to fire back next term. 6

Diogo Jota - Had Jota been able to maintain the remarkable form that he showed in the first half of the season, then the Portuguese forward would have outdone some blockbuster names in the Reds attacking ranks. However, despite a drop-off in form in recent months, Jota has enjoyed a breakout season and bagged some vital goals. Only Salah and Mane have managed to outgun him. 8

Luis Diaz - It's hard to gauge quite how well Liverpool would have fared in the second half of the season without Diaz after his surprise January arrival; thankfully, for Liverpool fans, they never have to find out. The impact that the Colombian forward has made in the last few months has been nothing short of phenomenal. Liverpool have bagged a real star for the future. 8

Sadio Mane - Mane has enjoyed a stunning campaign both domestically and international after he steered Senegal to AFCON glory earlier this year The 30-year-old has emerged from Salah's shadow in the second half of the season to bag some huge goals for the Reds, who should be resolving his contract situation as a matter of urgency. 8

Mohamed Salah - Salah has dazzled Anfield ever since his arrival, but even by his standards, the Egyptian wizard was on another planet in the first half of the season. Although his form tailed off in the second half of the season, Salah has been the driving force behind another phenomenal campaign for the Reds, who came within a whisker of history. 9

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