Ranking Liverpool's Top 5 Players for January 2016
January was a gruelling month for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool who—while still competing on four fronts midway through the 2015/16 campaign—endured a congested fixture list and struggled to find any consistency as a result.
According to club statistician Ged Rea, the Reds' 0-0 FA Cup fourth-round encounter with West Ham United on Saturday night marked their ninth outing of the month—the most Liverpool have ever played in January throughout their long and storied history.
Before welcoming West Ham to Anfield, Liverpool took in four Premier League clashes, including defeats to West Ham and Manchester United, a manic 3-3 draw with Arsenal and a nine-goal thriller away to Norwich City, where Klopp's side finished as 5-4 winners at Carrow Road.
Liverpool were forced to endure two FA Cup third-round outings against Exeter City, eventually settling the tie with a 3-0 win at Anfield, while they also secured progress to the League Cup final following a penalty shootout at home in the second leg of the semi-final against Stoke City.
With Klopp's Liverpool struggling with hit-and-miss form on the field as a collective, individual consistency over the nine games came at a premium—but who were the Reds' top performers for January?
Here we rank the five standout candidates, based on individual performances, consistency, influence and overall quality, kicking off with a midfield powerhouse.
5. Emre Can
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Emre Can's form throughout January was characteristic of Liverpool's performances overall. While the German suffered from fatigue at times, when he was good, he was very good.
In the Reds' 2-0 defeat to West Ham in the league at the beginning of the month, Can was in a typical, bullish mood, compensating for the deficiencies of his midfield partner, Lucas Leiva, with a powerful display in a box-to-box role.
The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder hit the bar in that Boleyn Ground defeat and made six key passes—more than any other player on the afternoon.
He was central to Liverpool's 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg win over Stoke days later, propelling his side forward and dovetailing promisingly with the excellent Joe Allen.
After a similarly strong first half in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal, Can began to show signs of tiring, and this affected his performances against Manchester United in the league and West Ham in the FA Cup.
Can's strengths make him undroppable, but this can be a blessing and a curse for Klopp, as the 22-year-old continues to battle for consistency.
4. Kolo Toure
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Kolo Toure began the month as a backup centre-back, but injuries to Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho saw the Ivory Coast veteran cement his place as Klopp's de facto first choice.
He earns his place as our No. 4 for the way in which he has reacted, producing a string of solid performances at the heart of the Reds' defence.
Toure's no-nonsense approach was key to keeping a clean sheet in the first leg of Liverpool's League Cup semi-final against Stoke, literally throwing his body at the ball at one point to keep it from reaching the back of the net.
Recalling this particularly challenge in conversation with the Liverpool Echo's Chris Beesley, the 34-year-old used this as an example of his commitment to the cause:
"I would love to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans going forward. That’s why I made the ‘salmon tackle’.
At the age of 34 playing for Liverpool, one of the best clubs in England, it’s amazing.
I couldn’t dream that I’d have been here right now and stay for many years it’s good eh? It’s beautiful, it’s fantastic.
"
As a highly experienced defender at the top level of English football, Toure's knowhow was crucial to Liverpool's best results throughout January. He was far from spectacular, but he was hugely effective.
3. Nathaniel Clyne
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Over a month hindered by inconsistency for Liverpool, one man stood out as truly dependable: Nathaniel Clyne.
The England right-back produced a series of solid performances within Klopp's back four, and he continues to underline his value to the club.
After a typically stable performance in the Reds' 5-4 win away to Norwich City, This is Anfield's Henry Jackson hailed the 24-year-old's remarkable levels of consistency, from his strong defensive work to his able support in attack:
"Mr. Dependable. You know what you’re going to get from him and even though he isn’t brilliant he’s reliable, which is more than enough considering what we’ve been used to in this position in recent seasons.
He motored up and down the right-hand side throughout the game, and provided a great cross from which Henderson scored Liverpool’s second goal.
The type of offensive contribution which could see his ratings of 6 and 7 turn into regular 8s.
"
Clyne was similarly impressive in the League Cup against Stoke, the 3-3 draw with Arsenal, the FA Cup against the Hammers and even in defeat to United; the £12.5 million sanctioned to secure his signing last summer continues to represent a bargain solution for the Reds in what was a problem position.
2. Joe Allen
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January was a truly eventful month for Joe Allen, and the Welsh midfielder may have battled back from the brink with his remarkable, match-winning displays.
After a short cameo appearance in the defeat to West Ham at the beginning of the month, Allen took his place in the starting lineup for the League Cup semi-final first leg against Stoke, laying on a sensational no-look assist for Jordon Ibe in the first half.
Returning to the bench as Klopp's side welcomed Arsenal to Anfield, Allen was forced to wait until the final 10 minutes before being introduced, but he quickly made his mark with a last-minute volley to level the score at 3-3.
A week later, Allen was on the scoresheet again, slotting home from a Brad Smith cutback to put Liverpool on their way to a 3-0 win at home to Exeter in the FA Cup third round, before holding his nerve to hammer the winning penalty beyond Jack Butland in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final.
Allen ended January as Liverpool captain, wearing the armband in Saturday's 0-0 draw with West Ham—a testament to his quality throughout the month, having scored twice and assisted on another in six games.
1. Roberto Firmino
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While Allen's rise to the fore was the feelgood story of January for Liverpool, the last month was when £29 million summer signing Roberto Firmino truly announced himself as a future hero on Merseyside.
Deployed in a centre-forward's role in the absence of injury-hit trio Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings, the Brazil international provided a welcome alternative to the struggling Christian Benteke, and he rewarded Klopp's faith with a series of exceptional performances.
Working off the shoulder of a sluggish Per Mertesacker, Firmino added two goals to his season's tally in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal, in an all-round display that showcased his strengths as a No. 9.
These were magnified with another brace in the 5-4 win away to Norwich, scoring one with either foot in a display reminiscent of former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.
Among more disappointing team performances at home to Manchester United and Stoke, Firmino still stood out, with his commitment, determination and work rate providing the Reds with a useful option defending from the front.
Firmino now stands as Klopp's best available option at centre-forward, and he can look forward to a bright February leading the line for Liverpool.
Statistics via WhoScored.com and Transfermarkt.co.uk.
