This is about as subjective and debatable list as we could construct, so we’re prepared for any kind of reaction you’re willing to give!
We’re basing this on current ability, potential to improve, and essentially how much of a loss it would be for the player to leave the club.
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10) Roberto Firmino
He’s not proved he’s worth anywhere near £29m so far, but Firmino makes it on our list because of the glimpses of brilliance he’s shown – and the creative relationship he has with Coutinho – a player you may see slightly higher up this list… A few weeks back, Firmino bamboozled Premier League favourites Manchester City, offering an assist and a goal in 30 breathtaking first-half minutes. Adam Lallana’s outperformed him this term, but we believe the Brazilian has more room to grow, and will eventually provide a more direct goal influence than the 27-year-old Englishman.
9) Lucas
Lucas is Liverpool’s longest serving player and his performances for the most part of this campaign warrant him a spot in our Top 10, despite the fact he’s nearing his thirties. In big matches against good sides Lucas is usually excellent, and it’s his experience, work-rate and tenacity at the base of midfield that makes him so valuable. Perhaps Emre Can can eventually replace him here, but Lucas provides a great, professional influence on the squad and is a superb example for all to follow.
8) Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne was a really smart summer signing, and at 24-years-old, he could quite realistically be our starting right-back for the next five seasons. Defensively we’ve had nobody as good as him since Steve Finnan in the position, and while he doesn’t possess natural offensive acumen, he regularly gets forward anyway. Hopefully his decision making in the final third will improve as he could then be regarded as one of the best in the business.
7) Alberto Moreno
We’ve rated Moreno one spot higher than Clyne, because of his potential and natural footballing ability. The Spaniard is rapid and loves bombarding down the left flank. It’s no surprise Real Madrid are interested, but the fact he only arrived in 2014 will mean he’ll cost them an arm and a leg. His work-rate and energy is brilliant, and once he cuts defensive and positional mistakes out of his game, few in the Premier League will be able to get near to him. He’s only 23-years-old, meaning time is very much on his side.
6) Jordon Ibe
Ibe turned 20-years-old today, but in footballing terms he’s way ahead of that. Strong, quick and two-footed, Ibe’s got the potential to eventually overtake the man he’s been compared to so often – Raheem Sterling. In fact, the £49m England international’s departure was far easier to stomach knowing his exit would simply allow Ibe more game time. The younger man has scored two goals under Jurgen Klopp and is visibly growing in confidence. He loses defenders effortlessly, and most impressively can beat his man on the inside or the outside. If he continues at this current rate of development, Ibe could establish himself as an automatic starter by the end of the campaign, despite the competition for places. That’s how high his ceiling is.
5) Emre Can
Can’s placed so highly on this list for the same reason Ibe is – the possibility of him developing into one of the Premier League’s best players. He’s a physical specimen to behold despite not turning 22 until next year. He can run, tackle, press and create. At the moment he’s overly raw and has as many poor games as good ones – but he has all the characteristics to grow into a world-class midfielder. His pass for Daniel Sturridge’s goal against Southampton signals his ability. Jurgen Klopp clearly rates him highly, and is using him in his favoured central midfield position. This will speed up his progress.
4) Mamadou Sakho
We’ve not missed Sakho too badly since his injury thanks to Dejan Lovren’s improvements, but really, Klopp should be building his defence around the Frenchman. Sakho loves Liverpool and the fans love him back. In 2015/16, his performances have been as good as any other central defender in the Premier League – although he’s not made as many appearances as he should have due to Brendan Rodgers not selecting him originally and then the knee problem. Sakho’s fantastic on the ball. He can hold off anyone closing down with his rangy limbs, before zipping clean forward passes into midfield. At the back, he’s great in the air and very strong to boot. Now, Sakho needs to stay fit as injuries are becoming a slight problem. But at 25-years-old, his best years are still ahead of him.
3) Jordan Henderson
The club captain’s in at no.3, for us. He’s not necessarily the most glamorous, but Henderson will suit Klopp brilliantly. He matches James Milner’s work-rate, but provides more moments of creative quality. He’s registered 16 assists and bagged ten goals for Liverpool during the past two Premier League seasons, excellent stats considering he doesn’t take set-pieces. Like many others on this list, Henderson has age on his side, and it’s a temperament to his professionalism that he’s Liverpool skipper at 25. Providing he stays fit and motivated, he’ll be a Liverpool player for the foreseeable.
2) Daniel Sturridge
Can Sturridge really be selected in 2nd place, when he’s barely played for a season and a half? Yes, in short – precisely because of how badly we’ve missed him. He really is that ‘important’ to Liverpool, which makes his injuries such a tragedy. A fit Sturridge affects Liverpool’s chances of winning matches the most, more so even than the player above him on this list. If he registers six goals in his next 12 matches, he’ll be the fastest Liverpool player to 50 goals of all time. So if he can just stay fit, Sturridge can earn himself legendary status. Obviously, it doesn’t look like he can do this after news of his latest hamstring problem. Fans will struggle to deal with the heartbreak of another lengthy layoff, and neither should we continue to rely on somebody who can’t maintain health. Our no.2 ranking respects Sturridge as the club’s best natural goalscorer – and it would ruin us to see him sold and then find form and fitness elsewhere. But what choices are we now left with?
1) Coutinho
It’s no surprise that Coutinho is being linked to Real Madrid and Barcelona, the only two clubs we could theoretically see him move to. Liverpool wouldn’t sell to an English rival, while nobody else could afford his potential price-tag. But we’d much, much prefer the Brazilian magician to reach his otherworldly potential at Anfield. As a playmaker, he’s got everything: mesmeric control, speed, dribbling ability, jinks and turns, vision and a blistering shot – all the more impressive considering at one point fans accused him of lacking technique when striking a football. Coutinho had just started to tear up trees for Klopp when a hamstring injury struck, but his return is near – and getting he and Sturridge firing on all cylinders will be our best chance of a top four finish this season.
