When things aren’t quite going our way, watching the players go in for challenges is one way to know that they are still giving everything to the cause.
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Updated list: Liverpool’s ‘statistically’ ten best players this season, Raheem Sterling 3rd & Daniel Sturridge 8th
Here is a breakdown of the top ten tacklers in our squad, according to WhoScored.
Surprisingly, there is no place in the list for solid defender Martin Skrtel, who sits 11th on the list.
10) Raheem Sterling – 36/49 tackles
The winger is more synonymous for his exciting, meandering runs that often result in a chance for us, but the 20-year-old has still managed 36 challenges this season, slightly more than one per game.
9) Adam Lallana – 43/68 tackles
In an injury-plagued season for the former Southampton man, in which he himself has admitted to not reaching his potential, he still ranks fairly high on this list, having made 43 tackles from the 68 he has attempted.
8) Steven Gerrard – 46/70 tackles
The captain has made three more successful challenges than Lallana, another reason that we will miss him once he departs for MLS in the summer.
7) Dejan Lovren – 48/60 tackles
Perhaps the Croatian deserves a little more credit, as not only does he boast the best record of any of the natural centre-backs within the side, but he also has a fantastic success rate, 48 of his 60 tackles have been won.
6) Joe Allen – 52/71 tackles
Allen continues to patrol the midfield area just in front of the back line extremely well judging by this statistic. He has managed to break up the attacking play of the opposition with 52 challenges. Only on 19 occasions has the Welshman been unsuccessful.
5) Alberto Moreno – 54/65 tackles
Featuring down the left-hand side, usually in a slightly more defensive position, the Spaniard has had to deal with many tricky wingers in the Premier League, and he has managed to snuff out many attacks with 54 tackles.
4) Philippe Coutinho – 55/111 tackles
Given his impact in an attacking sense this season, it is perhaps a surprise to see the Brazilian so high on the list. He has made 55 successful attempts to win the ball. However, he is the only player on the list to have a negative return, failing on 56 occasions. Although, no other player in our squad has made more attempts than Coutinho.
3) Emre Can – 63/79 tackles
The 21-year-old has been a revelation since his move from Bayer Levekusen, and has adapted impeccably when asked to play in defence. He has made 63 successful tackles, and has only missed out 16 times.
2) Lucas Leiva – 70/97 tackles
In terms of successful challenges per game, Lucas has the best success rate in the entire Premier League, with a little over four per match. And if it weren’t for injuries, which have cost him a few months of the season, his total of 70 tackles would be greater, and he may be top of the list.
1) Jordan Henderson – 81/108 tackles
This result proves that the 24-year-old’s all round game is improving immensely under Brendan Rodgers. He has made 11 more successful tackles more than his nearest rival, 81 in total. That desire to win the ball, amongst other attributes, is the reason that he is destined to become the talisman of the side.