Power Ranking Every Player for Liverpool in 2016/17 Premier League Season
Relief. That was the over-riding emotion after watching Liverpool clinch a top-four finish with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on the final day of the Premier League season.
After early talk of a title push unsurprisingly proved fanciful, the Reds overcame a wobble at the start of the calendar year to hold off a fast-finishing Arsenal down the stretch.
Their reward is the chance to play in next season's UEFA Champions League—provided they can come through a two-legged play-off in August.
Still, Jurgen Klopp's first full season in charge should be deemed a success. The German has done more than just qualify for Europe—he's raised hope that Liverpool can be a force again, both at home and abroad.
With the campaign now over and before attention turns to the summer transfer window, Bleacher Report have ranked every player who made a league start for the Merseyside club this season.
=21. Fringe Members
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While these three didn't get the chance to start a Premier League fixture, they did make appearances off the bench over the course of what was an up-and-down season, to say the least.
Ovie Ejaria: The midfielder was given three minutes of action at home to Watford and then away at Middlesbrough. Along with team-mate Sheyi Ojo, Ejaria left before the end of the campaign to play for England under-20's at the World Cup.
Marko Grujic: His hilarious reaction to Jordan Henderson's stunning goal away at Chelsea provided one of the funnier moments of the season. The Serbian was hampered by a hamstring injury in a debut season that never really got going.
Kevin Stewart: Came on as a late substitute in four of the first five league fixtures but barely seen since. At 23, the midfielder needs a move away from Merseyside at this stage of his career to get regular minutes.
20. Alberto Moreno
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Involved in every matchday squad, Alberto Moreno managed just 295 minutes of league action over the course of a largely forgettable season for the Spaniard.
Unable to beat out a converted midfielder for the left-back berth, he became a more familiar sight on benches than Judge Judy.
Even when handed the opportunity to start on the opening weekend against Arsenal, Moreno showed again how he's a so-called defender without any defensive instincts whatsoever.
He wasted the chance to score into an empty net away at West Bromwich Albion, too. More active on social media than a football field, a return to La Liga looks likely.
19. Ben Woodburn
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Ben Woodburn made a name for himself when he found the net against Leeds United in the EFL Cup, becoming Liverpool's youngest scorer at 17 years and 45 days.
The forward featured heavily in the Reds' rocky FA Cup campaign, too, but his solitary start in the league lasted just 45 minutes at Stoke City, as he was replaced at half-time by Roberto Firmino.
If Liverpool strengthen this summer (and they surely will now they have Champions League football to plan for), Woodburn may find first-team opportunities become limited.
Still, considering he barely needs to shave and can't legally buy a beer, time is on his side.
18. Loris Karius
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After injury delayed his competitive debut, Loris Karius failed to seize his chance to become the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
He made some high-profile errors, got involved in some verbal jousting with former-player-turned-pundit Gary Neville in the media and then spent the second half of the campaign sat on the bench.
On the plus side, the German provided one of the most obscure moments of Liverpool's season when he somehow managed to send a goal kick backwards to concede a corner.
Signed from Mainz to challenge Simon Mignolet for the starting job, the 23-year-old kept two clean sheets in 10 Premier League outings before being consigned to duties in the cup competitions.
Considering his rival for the job finished the season so impressively, Karius might have to get used to life as a spectator. He has only himself to blame, though.
17. Trent Alexander-Arnold
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Trent Alexander-Arnold was thrown in at the deep end when handed his first Premier League start in the away game against Manchester United in January.
The teenager did not drown under the pressure of playing at Old Trafford, though, performing admirably at right-back to suggest he can, sooner rather than later, challenge Nathaniel Clyne for the position.
Alexander-Arnold also started the 2-1 win away at Stoke City in April in a midfield role. However, he was withdrawn at half-time with Liverpool losing and watched their comeback from the bench.
Tall, quick and comfortable in possession, he has all the traits required of a modern full-back. With European football added to the fixture list next season, Alexander-Arnold should see more action in 2017/18.
16. Ragnar Klavan
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Few can have claimed to know too much about Ragnar Klavan when Klopp signed the experienced defender from FC Augsburg last summer.
His manager came up against the Estonian in the Bundesliga, but considering he'd already turned 30 by the time he arrived at Anfield, Klavan was hardly a long-term plug to finally clog the team's leaky defence.
What we discovered over the course of the season is Klavan struggles to cope with pacy forwards. He's also not good enough on the ball, a weakness highlighted by the number of touches Liverpool's centre-backs tend to have during games.
He should only make 20 league appearances again next season if Liverpool suffer a real injury crisis in defence.
15. Lucas Leiva
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Have we seen the last of Lucas in Liverpool red (which, by the way, is a far better red in the new kit)?
The Brazilian, who came on as a late substitute against Middlesbrough and finished the game wearing the captain's armband, is out of contract this summer, and his future at the club remains unclear.
Derided at times during his decade on Merseyside, the wholehearted player has always remained committed to the cause even as he's slipped down the midfield pecking order.
Still, Lucas played over 1,000 minutes of league football in the 2016/17 campaign, splitting his time on the field between filling in at centre-back and his more familiar role of holding midfielder.
If it is the end, thanks for the memories, Lucas. No one picks up bookings for tripping opponents quite like you.
14. Daniel Sturridge
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Has a late renaissance extended Daniel Sturridge's Liverpool career, or has it just popped him in the shop window ahead of summer move to somewhere else?
The player-coach relationship between Sturridge and Klopp seems one more of convenience than unconditional love. They are opposites who attract—but that doesn't mean they have to stay together.
Once again, the forward missed too many matches due to fitness issues. A recurring hip problem often hampered his availability, while he missed much of December with a calf injury.
Sturridge made a contribution down the final stretch, including scoring the opening goal in the 4-0 win away at West Ham United when playing alongside Divock Origi in a 4-1-2-1-2 system.
His step-over finish demonstrated his undoubted quality, but Liverpool just haven't seen it enough. Considering his reputation, however, there shouldn't be a shortage of Premier League clubs keen to take him.
13. Divock Origi
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A hot streak straddling November and December gave a glimpse of what Divock Origi is capable of, yet doubts remain as to whether he will fulfil his potential and become more than just a squad player.
"I think I’ve had some good games and some less good games. It is important for me now to play and to get more consistency," the astute Origi told Andy Hunter of the Guardian.
The forward has the physical and technical attributes required to succeed at the top level. And, having only turned 22 in April, there is still reason to believe he hasn't peaked yet.
Will he get enough time to continue his development at Liverpool, though? The club's progress under Klopp may be too fast for the Belgian to cling on, but it appears unlikely he leaves just yet.
12. Dejan Lovren
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The Stereophonics once sung how it only takes one match to burn a thousand trees. In Dejan Lovren's case, it only takes one mistake to wipe away the memories of his good games.
The centre-back had difficult outings home and away against Crystal Palace, while he escaped against Middlesbrough on Sunday when referee Martin Atkinson was probably the only person inside Anfield who didn't feel the Croatian had fouled Patrick Bamford inside the area.
Lovren has found out the hard way how playing for Liverpool is a different kettle of fish. Errors are magnified and are also difficult to forget.
Still, Klopp clearly thinks there's something there to work with, as he handed the player a new long-term deal in April. As for the vast majority of the club's fans, however, the jury is still out.
11. Nathaniel Clyne
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Nathaniel Clyne started all bar one of Liverpool's league games this season, only missing the trip to Manchester United when Alexander-Arnold filled in at right-back.
Defensively solid, the long-term concern with Clyne is over his limited contributions in attack.
The England international failed to register a goal and managed just two assists over the campaign, a disappointingly low tally considering he was so often an outlet to receive possession out wide.
Still, Clyne is 26 and can improve. The possibility of Alexander-Arnold putting increasing pressure on his place may well bring out the best in the former Crystal Palace and Southampton defender.
10. Emre Can
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Slick, full of life and rarely ruffled. But enough about his hair, Emre Can was a solid performer who scored Liverpool's Goal of the Season with his bicycle-kick winner at Watford.
The German found the net five times in the league, a solid return for a player who covered for absent skipper Jordan Henderson in the holding role but looked better suited when pushed further forward.
He has a tendency to take too many touches when in possession, but there is still time for Can to get better. Klopp is the type of manager who could mould the 23-year-old into something special.
However, for that to happen, Liverpool need to agree terms on a new contract (his current deal expires in 2018). If they don't, plenty of other clubs will be more than happy to snap him up.
9. Jordan Henderson
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Jordan Henderson excelled as the deep-lying midfielder, spraying passes around like a college quarterback trying to impress pro teams at the NFL's scouting combine.
The midfielder scored a stunner in the 2-1 win at Chelsea, but his fine season was cut short by a foot injury. Initially diagnosed as minor bruising, Henderson never played again following the 2-0 home triumph over Tottenham Hotspur on February 11.
"It's a little bit too late now the season’s finished, but I’ve got all summer to get back to where I want to be," Liverpool's captain told LFC TV (h/t TEAMtalk.com).
Had he played a part in the critical run-in, Henderson would have finished higher in these rankings. Instead, everyone is now wondering if Sir Alex Ferguson was right all along to question the player's running style.
8. James Milner
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"I've been very frustrated in training, not being in the thick of the action, but I believe in doing things the right way, and that means the team comes first. It's not James Milner FC is it? It's Liverpool FC."
James Milner's quote to Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail sums up the player perfectly. While he moved to Anfield to play in midfield, he was willing to sacrifice his own ambitions and fill Liverpool's problematic left-back position.
Despite an allergy to using his left foot for anything other than standing on, Milner did a steady job in the unfamiliar role.
He also weighed in with seven goals, all of them penalties. His only miss from the spot came when he failed to beat former Newcastle United team-mate Fraser Forster in the 0-0 home draw with Southampton.
7. Joel Matip
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Signing Joel Matip was a masterstroke from Klopp. Liverpool desperately needed another defender—they managed to secure an excellent one without spending a penny (at least in terms of a transfer fee).
After starting the first two league games on the bench, Matip—who had run down his contract at Schalke— adapted quickly to life in the Premier League.
Good in the air, graceful in his movement and calm in possession, he is quite clearly the best of the Reds' centre-back options.
Injury saw him miss six games and there was also an international issue when he refused to play for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, resulting in him sitting out the trip to Manchester United.
6. Georginio Wijnaldum
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No matter what happens in the future, Georginio, we'll always have Middlesbrough at home.
Wijnaldum was the hero for Liverpool on the final day of the Premier League season; it was his goal in first-half stoppage time that calmed a nervy Anfield and paved the way for the club to secure a top-four finish.
The Dutchman—signed from Newcastle United last summer—enjoys home comforts, too. He is still yet to score on the road in the league since arriving in England in the summer of 2015.
Did Wijnaldum do enough in open play to justify the £23.38 million fee Liverpool paid out for him? Possibly not, but his goals—including a winner against Manchester City and the equaliser in the home draw with Chelsea—were priceless in helping secure the chance to play in the Champions League again.
5. Simon Mignolet
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Dismissed by many as not good enough for the top job, Simon Mignolet showed he can rise to the occasion with an outstanding run of form in the closing months of the season.
The Belgian was dropped in favour of Loris Karius in September only to be restored to the starting role two months later. Still, that didn't stop transfer speculation concerning other goalkeepers, with Joe Hart constantly linked with a move to Liverpool.
However, Mignolet finished the season so strongly that talk of finding a new No. 1 has gone quiet.
There were some eye-catching saves—including away at Stoke City when Klopp singled his 'keeper out for special praise—but most pleasing of all was the sight of Mignolet constantly, and consistently, coming off his line to deal with aerial balls played into the penalty box.
4. Adam Lallana
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For all the talk about potential big-name signings in the offseason, Klopp's work with Adam Lallana shows how you don't always have to dip into the transfer market to make things better.
Having struggled to convince he belonged at Liverpool under former manager Brendan Rodgers, Lallana has developed into a key member of the first-team squad.
Whether lined up in midfield or pushed out wide, the combination of the 29-year-old's footballing brain and quick feet lets him shine in the tightest of spaces. Against teams who come to Anfield to lock up shop (one for FIFA 17 players there), he can be the difference-maker.
This season, Lallana's weighed in with goals, too, scoring eight of them in the league.
It's not just about what he does in possession, through. His understanding of when and where to press means the only way he could be any more of a teacher's pet is by offering to wash Klopp's car after training.
3. Roberto Firmino
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At times, Roberto Firmino's performances up front were more dazzling than his wonderfully white teeth.
Whether played through the middle as the lead forward or positioned out wide, the Brazilian was pivotal in leading the counter-press that caused so many problems when Liverpool faced their top-six rivals.
"Bobby," as he's affectionately nicknamed, weighed in with 11 goals and also contributed 10 assists. It was his pass around the corner that set up Wijnaldum to break the deadlock against Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The Reds may still require a more clinical finisher if they are to seriously compete for the Premier League, but few will work harder for the cause than Firmino.
2. Sadio Mane
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Sadio Mane demonstrated what he would offer Liverpool just 63 minutes into his Premier League debut for the club.
The forward showed off his pace, trickery and finishing skills with a stunning strike in the 4-3 victory at Arsenal last August. It was the first of 13 league goals as he made the right-wing position his own.
When he was signed from Southampton, some considered forking out £35.02 million for the Senegalese as a risk. By January, the Reds were wondering just how they ever coped without him.
It wasn't a coincidence that Liverpool struggled whenever Mane was missing. The club rushed him home from the Africa Cup of Nations on a private jet just so he could sit on the bench against Chelsea.
A knee injury suffered against Everton on April 1 cut short the player's first season on Merseyside, but he still did the double of Player and Players' Player of the Season.
The chance to play in the Champions League could push Mane onto a new level. If that's the case, the fee Liverpool paid will be seen as an absolute bargain.
1. Philippe Coutinho
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With a fast start, a sticky period at the start of 2017 and then an impressive finish, Philippe Coutinho's form rather sums up Liverpool's Premier League season as a whole.
The Brazilian sizzled on the left side of the Reds' forward line before suffering an ankle injury against Sunderland at the end of November. Rushed back into action during the side's dry January, a rusty Coutinho struggled to hit the same lofty heights.
However, little Phil stood up to be counted during the run-in. In the last nine league games, he scored seven goals (taking his tally for the season to an impressive 13) and provided two assists.
Klopp's decision to shift Coutinho back into midfield for the final two games proved a masterstroke, allowing the magical playmaker more opportunities to get on the ball and pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Firmino, Lallana and Mane were outstanding, but Coutinho remains Liverpool's brightest light. Now we can all look forward to a summer of speculation about him making a switch to Barcelona...
All fees listed are from TransferMarkt, while all statistics are from WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated.
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