Liverpool’s Standout Stars and Surprises from a Championship-Winning Year | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Premier League Triumph: Who Impressed and Who Must Improve

Done and dusted, and done in style. Liverpool’s 2024–25 campaign might not have culminated in an unprecedented quadruple, but a record-equalling 20th league title under a new head coach – Arne Slot – speaks volumes. From the intense high of a trophy parade on 26 May to the tactical recalibrations that marked the season’s final stretch, this was a year of evolution at Anfield.

Credit goes to The Echo, who diligently rated Liverpool’s squad over the course of 56 fixtures across all competitions, scoring each player for performances in games where they featured for at least 15 minutes. In those numbers lie deeper truths about individual journeys, systemic shifts, and what might come next.

Salah Still Supreme

There is no overstating Mohamed Salah’s importance to Liverpool’s story. “Mohamed Salah (7.12) has been outstanding overall with 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 appearances telling the story.” Those numbers illuminate more than brilliance – they reflect remarkable consistency and leadership in moments of flux.

Photo: IMAGO

Virgil van Dijk (6.98) deserves praise for his stewardship at the back, even when paired with an ever-changing cast. “Virgil van Dijk has led by example as skipper with under-par performances few and far between.” Meanwhile, Alisson Becker (6.91) remains “arguably the world’s greatest goalkeeper,” a claim he continues to back up with performances of unmatched composure and clarity.

Rise of the Supporting Cast

One of the clearest success stories was Caoimhin Kelleher (6.85), whose performances underscored the value of a top-quality deputy goalkeeper. His impending move as a first-choice starter elsewhere feels richly earned. Joe Gomez (6.79) also offered a reminder of his versatility and what was lost during his absence through injury.

Photo IMAGO

Midfield reinforcements turned heads. Alexis Mac Allister (6.78) was, arguably, the heartbeat of the second half of Liverpool’s campaign. As The Echo noted, he was “perhaps Liverpool’s best player in the second half of the season.” Ryan Gravenberch (6.76), meanwhile, was a revelation before fatigue and closer attention dimmed his early spark.

Cody Gakpo (6.74) shrugged off a slow start to bag 18 goals, a solid return for a player whose rhythm was disrupted by injury in February. “Still, 18 goals was another impressive return.” Luis Díaz (6.68) once again bookended his season with strong form and proved useful as both a winger and stopgap striker.

Solid Contributors, Bright Futures

Curtis Jones (6.66) quietly impressed, often asked to fill less-familiar roles but delivering with maturity. His adaptability may yet be one of Liverpool’s most valuable assets. Trent Alexander-Arnold (6.63) showed flashes of elite form while adapting to new tactical responsibilities under Slot. Dominik Szoboszlai (6.62) found more consistency than in his debut year, thriving in a central attacking role.

Ibrahima Konaté (6.51) began the season brightly but tailed off post-February, raising concerns about his long-term fitness. Still, Conor Bradley (6.50) showed promise in difficult moments and remains a prospect to watch.

Wataru Endo (6.47) and Harvey Elliott (6.44) would have liked more minutes but contributed effectively when called upon, reminding fans that depth doesn’t always mean downgrades.

Where Improvement Is Needed

Not everyone met expectations. Jarell Quansah (6.35) showed flashes of potential, though much of his game time came without the guiding presence of Van Dijk. Diogo Jota (6.31) started brightly, scoring the first goal of the Slot era, but never regained rhythm after an October injury.

Andy Robertson (6.30) and Kostas Tsimikas (6.23) underwhelmed across the campaign, prompting speculation that a new left-back is high on the club’s summer agenda. Even the usually indefatigable Darwin Núñez (6.19) struggled to settle into Slot’s system. “He will, though, always have Brentford away,” one bright memory in a frustrating campaign.

Others, like Federico Chiesa (5.60), simply didn’t play enough to be fairly judged, though the low rating hints at why minutes were hard to come by.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Winning the Premier League in Slot’s debut season should not be understated – it’s a seismic achievement that immediately adds weight to the Dutchman’s methods. But like many supporters, we see this campaign as only the beginning.

Salah’s numbers are elite, but fans will be curious to see how long he maintains this output and whether the club plans to bring in another wide attacker with long-term potential. Gravenberch’s early form was electric – his drop-off is understandable, but a full season of fitness and familiarity could make him a game-changer.

Darwin’s struggles can’t be ignored. He remains a fan favourite for his chaos factor, but supporters are now questioning whether he truly fits Slot’s blueprint. If not, tough decisions might await.

On the positive side, the likes of Mac Allister, Jones, and Gomez feel more like solutions than stopgaps. Kelleher’s likely departure will leave a hole, but he leaves with fans’ gratitude.

If Liverpool can reinforce at left-back and find a more clinical edge up top, there’s every reason to believe this title can be the start of a new dynasty rather than a standalone success. An exciting summer awaits.