Ranking Liverpool's 5 Best Players in August
The opening month of the 2015/16 season had, up until West Ham United arrived at Anfield, been very positive for Liverpool.
Consecutive 1-0 wins over Stoke City and Bournemouth were followed up by a solid defensive performance and third consecutive clean sheet in the 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
But then West Ham visited Anfield and completely undid all that hard work. A 3-0 reverse—the first such league result at Anfield since 1963—saw Liverpool's defence completely undone.
Rather than the glass being half full going into the international break, it's now decidedly half empty, with supporters worried about the continual defensive issues and also the lack of goals—just two have been scored in four games: one a Philippe Coutinho wonder strike and the other an offside Christian Benteke tap-in.
After signing seven new players in the summer, Brendan Rodgers' side has featured many of those in every game so far, with James Milner, Joe Gomez, Benteke and Nathaniel Clyne each starting all four games.
We take a look at Liverpool's top five players during August—do any of the new boys make the cut?
5. Joe Gomez
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In at five is Joe Gomez, the 18-year-old who has made an impressive start to his career on Merseyside.
Signed from Charlton Athletic in the summer, the young Englishman was expected to head out on loan, but he impressed enough in pre-season to force his way into Rodgers' starting XI instead.
Playing in an unfamiliar left-back role, Gomez has been a standout performer, offering defensive stability but also impressive runs at pace on the counter.
However, his defensive error to allow Manuel Lanzini to score after just three minutes of the defeat to West Ham signalled the start of his worst Liverpool performance of his four so far.
Lanzini and West Ham clearly targeted the inexperienced defender, so much so Rodgers changed the shape of his side at half-time, moving Gomez to right centre-back in a three-man defence.
4. Simon Mignolet
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Simon Mignolet has continued his solid form from the second half of last season, keeping three clean sheets in the opening three games.
The Belgian has kept 12 clean sheets in 2015—more than any other Premier League 'keeper. Unfortunately, he was unable to equal a club record of four clean sheets to start the campaign, though, in that defeat to West Ham.
Mignolet made excellent saves against Stoke City and Arsenal in particular in August.
3. James Milner
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In third place is another new signing, James Milner.
The 29-year-old has played every minute for the Reds so far this season and will clearly be a key player under Rodgers.
He's been tasked with different roles, moving to a deeper role against Arsenal later on, and each time he performed solid but unspectacular jobs.
2. Philippe Coutinho
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Philippe Coutinho would be higher than second on this list had it not been for his dismissal against West Ham for two yellow cards.
The Brazilian was Liverpool's most creative player during August and built on the Player of the Year award he received last season with the stunning winner at Stoke in the Reds' opening game.
1. Nathaniel Clyne
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Perhaps a surprise choice for top performer is Nathaniel Clyne.
The £12 million signing from Southampton has been a breath of fresh air at right-back, a huge upgrade on Glen Johnson.
There has been nothing spectacular from Clyne, but his four solid performances have endeared him to the Anfield faithful right away.
Clyne gets forward well but also offers a solid defensive option.
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