Ranking Liverpool Players in 2016/17 Season on Social Follower Size

Premier League footballers are no different from the rest of us when it comes to social media.

Bored? Simply stick your eyes towards a screen of some size. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter, we're all guilty of filling endless hours looking at all different types of content.

Footballers' lives, however, are vastly different. Their fame means they attract a far greater level of interest than, for example, that video you shared of cats hilariously forcing dogs out of their own beds (come on now, we've all been guilty of tagging a mate in something like that).

So, who is Liverpool's leader of the pack when it comes to posting online (if they do post online, rather than getting someone to do it for them)?

Having taken off our socks, Bleacher Report's football team have used all our fingers and toes to add up the total number of followers for each member of Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad from the 2016/17 season (meaning Mamadou Sakho, still popular with plenty despite his indiscretions at Anfield, misses out).

By combining official Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, we've ended up with some surprising results. Take a look at Liverpool's biggest social media players below—all figures are correct at the time of writing.

5. Lucas Leiva

Facebook: 61,176 likes

Instagram: 897,000 followers

Twitter: 1.82 million followers

With Roberto Firmino not having a Twitter account, plus both Emre Can and Adam Lallana appearing uninterested in typing in 140 characters or fewer, Lucas Leiva charts surprisingly high.

The Brazilian made 31 appearances in all competitions in 2016/17, including several outings as a makeshift centre-back.

Like that favourite T-shirt you've become ridiculously attached to despite knowing you could find a better one, Liverpool supporters are seemingly still loath to part with Lucas.

"This club made me better as a person, as a player; I have two kids born in Liverpool," he told the crowd after the 3-0 home win over Middlesbrough on the final day of the season, per Jack Lusby of This Is Anfield.

He has been part of the Anfield furniture for a decade, so no wonder he's made plenty of football friends during his time living in England.

Lucas' contract will soon expire, and as yet, he doesn't appear close to signing a new one to remain on Merseyside.

Still, if there is to be a parting of the ways, we will always have his Instagram account (plus those unnecessary bookings. So, so many unnecessary bookings).

Like many of us, he seems to have become frustrated with Facebook (his official page hasn't been updated since October 2015), so now it's all about the pictures.

Even ex-Manchester United players cannot help but pose for a photo with Lucas.

4. Simon Mignolet

Facebook: 1.36 million likes

Instagram: 610,000 followers

Twitter: 900,000 followers

For a man who gets to see the game unfold in front of him, Simon Mignolet seems to have an excellent view on how to use personal accounts.

The Belgian goalkeeper finished the season in impressive form, keeping four successive clean sheets to make sure Liverpool would have the chance to return to the top table of European football.

Look at his social media activity and it's clear Mignolet is a committed member of the Reds' first-team squad.

However, he also sees the bigger picture. The 29-year-old uses his status to promote ALS Liga, a charity that helps those suffering from motor neuron disease.

Mignolet also posts updates about his day job, his coffee shop—TwentyTwo Coffee—in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, and a few personal photographs, most recently of his time away with the Liverpool squad in Australia.

Not your typical pro footballer, Mignolet's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts offer a fascinating insight into his current life, both on and off the field.

3. Jordan Henderson

Facebook: 1.42 million likes

Instagram: 1.5 million followers

Twitter: 440,000 followers

Poor Jordan Henderson. Sidelined through injury, the club captain had to sit and nervously watch like the rest of us as Liverpool held off Arsenal down the stretch to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Midfielder Henderson missed the final 13 games of the Premier League season due to a troublesome foot problem.

He'll be happier than a kid at Christmas when able to play again. Speaking of which...

He's continued to appear online while out of action, declaring his support for both club and country on occasion. He did also post a poignant personal statement following the death of legendary club figure Ronnie Moran in March, too.

Clearly tight with England colleague Lallana, Henderson put up a video on Instagram earlier in May to show he'd given his mate a birthday present, although the footage cut out before it was clear what the gift was.

He also did the same for the lovable Lucas, who looked chuffed with his gift.

Still, Henderson's hardly a heavy producer of content. Liverpool will hope their captain is far more active next season on the pitch than he appears to be on social media these days.

2. Philippe Coutinho

Facebook: 1.04 million likes

Instagram: 4.2 million followers

Twitter: 1.05 million followers

Young, gifted and with a gorgeous family, Philippe Coutinho is living the dream.

The Brazilian playmaker—who finished the season as Liverpool's leading scorer with 14 goals—utilises his social media accounts for both business and pleasure (for business read: sponsorship commitments).

His Instagram is a way of keeping both fans and loved ones up to date with his how his daughter, Maria, is growing up. Wife Aine also often heavily features, too.

Even when they tried to appear scary for Halloween, the family still looked adorable.

Just like mini Coutinho, dad is often seen wearing a broad smile. Judging by the number of team-mates who pop up in posts, the 24-year-old is a popular member of the Reds' current first-team squad.

The Brazilian connection remains strong with regular snapshots with Firmino and Lucas, while Alberto Moreno turned up more times in Coutinho's Instagram account than he did on the field in the 2016/17 season.

Hopefully, the Coutinhos don't pose down Las Ramblas in Barcelona during the offseason, or else the red half of Merseyside could need crisis counselling as they dip into a summer meltdown.

1. Daniel Sturridge

Facebook: 3.26 million likes

Instagram: 2.8 million followers

Twitter: 1.98 million followers

While his future at Liverpool still seems uncertain, there's no doubting Daniel Sturridge's popularity.

Despite the forward's injury issues over recent years, he never loses faith. His Instagram account bio includes the notable line: "I do all through Christ who strengthens me."

Religion plays a part in Sturridge's Instagram activity, but so, too, does fashion, food and football.

When you sprinkle in a few behind-the-scenes videos and the occasional celebrity spot, here is an account worth following regardless of whether you follow the Reds or not.

The same can also be said of his Twitter profile, albeit he's not as prolific as you might expect for such a recognised finisher.

Sturridge barely comes close to using up 140 characters to explain what's going on in his life. He's a man of few words but, just like his season as a whole, he's suddenly become busier in recent months.

At least these days there are far fewer sightings of his personal merchandise. Does anyone want a cap?

And just because all rival fans suggest Liverpool fans are stuck in the past, what about some of the club's former players?

Well, Steven Gerrard has six million followers on Instagram, while Jamie Carragher has over a million keeping tabs on him on Twitter.

Xabi Alonso likely has plenty of Reds still paying an interest in his life, too (the Spaniard tweets to 11.4 million followers), and Luis Suarez will always be loved for his scoring feats in the Premier League.

The popularity of former players proves how even when your Liverpool career comes to an end, you're never forgotten on Merseyside.