Liverpool Season Player Ratings: Standout Performers, Underwhelming Stars, and Uncertain Futures

It was almost the perfect send-off for Jurgen Klopp this season at Liverpool.

In what turned out to be a difficult year, the Reds were in the title race until the final few weeks of the season – and were, in fact, on for a Treble before their campaign unravelled.

A new era is on the horizon with Arne Slot, and it remains to be seen how the Reds will adapt to change after so long under the German’s stewardship.

While reflecting on a campaign of what could have been, Liverpool will also celebrate one that delivered silverware once again in the form of the Carabao Cup, which the Reds lifted in February. 

With the season now over, Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE offers his assessment of every Liverpool player who featured in five or more Premier League games. 

Darwin Nunez – 6

54 apps, 18 goals, 13 assists

A defining season awaits as the Uruguayan must impress new manager Arne Slot. At times, such as his match-winning brace at Newcastle early in the campaign, Nunez looked like a world-beater. At other times, such as two goals in his last 15 games, it felt like those who called him an overpriced flop were right. But Slot has proved his worth in terms of improving attacking talent – just look at Santiago Gimenez – and Nunez still has time to become a prolific striker.

Harvey Elliott – 7

53 apps, 4 goals, 11 assists

Klopp said it himself: his biggest regret was not playing Elliott more. When the Englishman has had a run of starting games, he has shone. His best stint of the season came in the early months of 2024 when he was asked to go to the well game in, game out amid a mounting injury crisis. He put in a mighty shift in the Carabao Cup final and scored some important goals along the way.

Cody Gakpo – 5

53 apps, 16 goals, 6 assists

Recency bias wants to give Gakpo a higher grade as the Dutchman ended the season in admirable fashion. Other than that, though, it has been a slightly underwhelming second campaign on Merseyside for the forward. Gakpo sees his best position as left wing but he has hardly played out there – starting and ending the season as a No 9, false or otherwise. Will relish the chance of working under Slot.

Luis Diaz – 7

51 apps, 13 goals, 5 assists

If he could find some end product, Diaz would be a world-beater. He skips past opponents at ease and puts in an underrated defensive shift. But often fades in and out of games and there is still room for improvement. Will be interesting to see what Slot sees as his first-choice front three, especially if new additions come in.

Joe Gomez – 7.5

51 apps, 0 goals, 3 assists

Mr Reliable. Right back? Check. Centre half? Check. Left back? Check. No 6? Check. He has filled in where necessary as the versatile player every team needs. Gomez has had a mentality shift this season of being happy to be on the pitch wherever he is and he has barely put a foot wrong. His attacking contribution when at full back – flying down the flanks – has improved markedly.

Virgil van Dijk – 9

48 apps, 4 goals, 2 assists

Just edges Liverpool’s player of the season gong for me. Imperious as a defender as he has rediscovered his best form and, at times, made one wonder if he is now better than the pre-injury level. Van Dijk has stepped up as a leader and been a crucial figure in Liverpool’s dressing room. Chipped in with some contributions at the other end of the pitch, with the most memorable being his last-minute extra-time winner in the Carabao Cup final.

Alexis Mac Allister – 8.5

46 apps, 7 goals, 7 assists

Brilliant first season on Merseyside for the man they call ‘Macca’. The Argentine World Cup winner had his doubters in his first months at the club since a switch from Brighton, but much of that was down to the fact he was playing in the unfamiliar role of No 6. Excelled when pushed slightly further forward and was Liverpool’s best midfielder overall this term. Started to add more goals as the campaign ticked on and is becoming a fan favourite.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5

45 apps, 7 goals, 4 assists

A tough one to score. If it was going off the first few months, he’d be ticking towards a nine out of 10 grade. He set the Premier League alight after his arrival from RB Leipzig. But has really struggled from around December onwards. Would expect more from him under Slot, especially in the goal department. Liverpool fans have not really been treated to the piledriver shots they were promised on his show reels when joining.

Mohamed Salah – 8

44 apps, 25 goals, 14 assists

Not his best season at Liverpool by any stretch but those stats still speak volumes. Another 20-goal campaign and is still the Reds’ talisman. The Egyptian King is showing no signs of losing a yard of pace as he enters his mid-30s and is in elite athletic condition. Would have comfortably got into the 30s for goals if not for a lengthy injury absence after the Africa Cup of Nations. Wants to stay at Liverpool and become a legend – if he is not already.

Wataru Endo – 7

43 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist

Took a while to get going and has not fully eradicated sloppy errors, hence why this is not a higher grade, but the Japan captain has enjoyed a positive first year in England. Was not a sexy signing when he joined for £16.2million from Stuttgart. But Jurgen Klopp knew Endo was a class act – and he has since proved that. As Klopp has joked, Endo is 31 but plays like he is 10 years younger.

Ryan Gravenberch – 5

38 apps, 4 goals, 2 assists

Glimpses here and there but work to be done. Standout memories are probably seeing the Dutchman gliding through Liverpool’s midfield in some early-season matches. Performed well also at Fulham later in the campaign, with a nice goal. Gravenberch will be relishing the chance to work with fellow Dutchman Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, who he has worked with in the Netherlands national team.

Ibrahima Konate – 6.5

37 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist

Bar a minor injury in April, Konate has kept himself fit for most of the campaign – which is a big thing in itself given his record. Looking at the season as a whole, he has performed admirably and produced his best level at times. That has to be balanced with the end of the term where he was knocked out of favour by Jarell Quansah, who started five of the final six league games. Will be looking forward to the Euros.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

37 apps, 3 goals, 9 assists

Pepi Lijnders said he would forgo a year’s wages if the experiment of Alexander-Arnold in midfield failed. It has hardly passed with flying colours but the Englishman has had a successful season, enjoying his vice-captaincy role. Real Madrid have been courting him and his future is far from certain but the boyhood Liverpool fan loves the club and has put in some passionate performances to demonstrate that. Few niggly injuries here and there but a good campaign.

Curtis Jones – 7

36 apps, 5 goals, 3 assists

Fully deserves his call-up to the provisional England squad for the European Championships. A couple of injuries have hampered his campaign but, overall, this was a very positive year and Jones has taken big strides. Would probably say he is Liverpool’s most underrated player – proficient on the ball, hard-working off it and has added more goals. Still only 23 years old and has a big future ahead.

Jarell Quansah – 8

33 apps, 3 goals, 3 assists

No one saw this coming – no Liverpool fan, not Klopp, probably not Quansah himself. He usurped Konate as Van Dijk’s defensive partner by the end of the season and that was fully deserved. Originally thrown in due to an injury crisis – and Van Dijk’s red card at Newcastle – but by the end it was on merit. Made a mistake at Old Trafford but barely put a foot wrong otherwise. Mature beyond his years in a defensive sense and is solid in possession.

Diogo Jota – 7

32 apps, 15 goals, 4 assists

Stats speak for themselves: prolific finisher, not played enough. Injuries have been a constant during Jota’s time at Liverpool and, if he could stay fit for a full season, he would ease himself past 20 goals. But when he has played, the Reds have looked better. Nunez and Co shanked chance after chance in the title run-in and one could not help wonder how Liverpool might have finished if Jota was around. Brilliant footballer.

Alisson Becker – 8

32 apps, 0 goals, 0 assists

Still the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. Can count his mistakes for the season on one hand, though some were in bigger games – most notably against Arsenal. Hamstring injury threatened to ruin his campaign but he has been a towering figure otherwise. Does a lot of work behind the scenes in a leadership sense, especially with the South American quartet.

Andy Robertson – 6.5

30 apps, 3 goals, 2 assists

Dislocated shoulder and a couple of other injuries somewhat hampered his season, where fans have worried if Robertson’s best days are behind him. Now 30, the Scotsman is not getting any younger but he has still put in some solid shifts over the course of the season. Stepped up in a leadership sense, too.

Caoimhin Kelleher – 8

26 apps, 0 goals, 0 assists

Exemplary during Alisson’s injury and put in some solid displays in the Europa League, too. Liverpool rejected multiple approaches for him in January and that was proven to be a shrewd call. Nottingham Forest still like him and will almost certainly return to the table – as will other clubs – and it will be interesting to see what Liverpool decide to do with their No 2 keeper. The Irishman has enjoyed a brilliant campaign and will not go cheaply.

Kostas Tsimikas – 5

25 apps, 0 goals, 4 assists

Tsimikas faces an uncertain future at Liverpool and could be moved on this summer. Even when Robertson was injured, the Greek full back failed to get into the team. Liverpool are weighing up other left backs this summer and would not be surprising to see Tsimikas moved on.

Conor Bradley – 8

23 apps, 1 goal, 6 assists

Breakthrough season and a half for Bradley – all that despite missing the first half of the campaign with a back injury. Would have played a lot more if not for that and another knock that kept him out for a few weeks at the tail end of the season. Grew in confidence as he flew down the right flank, with his first goal in a Liverpool shirt the highlight. Also adept at defending.

Joel Matip – 6

14 apps, 0 goals, 0 assists

Season wrecked by rupturing his ACL in November against Fulham – and his Liverpool career is now over after being released. A sad way to say goodbye and hard to rank his season, really, but he was playing regularly before the blow. A great servant over the years.

Bobby Clark – 7

12 apps, 1 goal, 2 assists

Proud season for the teenager, with the highlight being starring in the Carabao Cup final. Will be interesting to see how Slot uses him.

James McConnell – 7

9 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist

Not a No 6 by trade but Klopp and Lijnders saw a plan for him and he has performed admirably when he has been given a chance. Championship clubs are keeping an eye on him for a loan next season.

Ben Doak – 6

5 apps, 0 goals, 0 assists

Season ruined by injury and surgery. Would have played a lot more if not for that. His campaign started by replacing Salah when the scores were level – and it felt then like he would have a breakthrough campaign. Sadly not worked out like that but is in Scotland’s Euros squad and might have a chance to shine.

Jayden Danns – 7

5 apps, 2 goals, 0 assists

Big lad who puts his weight about, has a nice touch and knows where the goal is. All the attributes to become a top striker if given the chance.