With Liverpool’s 2014/15 campaign at an end, Henry Jackson looks back at the finest individual moment for each Reds player over the last nine months.
So much was expected back in August following Liverpool’s near title miss in 2013/14 but it has been an enormously disappointing campaign.
Despite the obvious disappointments of this season, there have still been moments to cherish on an individual note for each Liverpool player.
Whether it be memorable goals, stunning saves or match-winning performances, we have been treated to some high points during a low year. Here are our selections for each player:
Simon Mignolet – save vs. Blackburn in FA Cup
Mignolet’s brilliant save to deny Blackburn goalkeeper Simon Eastwood in the dying seconds of their FA Cup quarter-final replay at Ewood Park was his finest moment of the season.
That stop perfectly highlighted just how far the 27-year-old had come since his shocking early form, and ensured Liverpool booked a semi-final trip to Wembley.
Brad Jones – making first Premier League start in 18 months
Jones’ start against Man United at Old Trafford in December was his first league start since March 2013. That’s about as good as it gets for the Australian.
Glen Johnson – late winner vs. Stoke
The 85-minute winner at home to Stoke City back in November. The 30-year-old showed great bravery and commitment in heading the ball home; something we haven’t always associated with him.
Javier Manquillo – winning the penalty vs. Ludogorets
Winning a last-gasp penalty for his side in the Champions League clash with Ludogorets at Anfield.
Just when it looked as though two precious points had been dropped, Manquillo stole in and got clattered by the visiting goalkeeper. Steven Gerrard did the rest.
Emre Can – performance vs. Bolton in replay
His influential second-half display in the FA Cup replay away to Bolton in February.
With the Reds 1-0 down and looking like crashing out, Can took the game by the scruff of the neck, driving forward time and time again and producing a superb pass to Raheem Sterling for Liverpool’s equaliser.
Martin Skrtel – header vs. Arsenal
Despite some strong defensive performances all season, it was his stoppage-time header against Arsenal that felt really pivotal at the time.
It earned Liverpool a point against a side they couldn’t afford to lose ground on, and without it, the Reds arguably wouldn’t have gone on a 12-game unbeaten run in the league afterwards.
Mamadou Sakho – dispelling the ‘clumsy’ myth time and again
There have been some terrific, dominant performances from Sakho at times this season, but a slightly un-centre-back moment stands out.
His audacious couple of pieces of skill on an otherwise miserable day at Arsenal in April summed up the Frenchman’s criminally underrated class on the ball.
This is why I love Sakho- https://t.co/qWAhYHiTfG
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) May 26, 2015
Dejan Lovren – late winner vs. Swansea in League Cup
The late winner at home to Swansea in the League Cup. Mario Balotelli had levelled the tie just a few minutes earlier, and the Croatian headed home in front of the Kop to send his side through.
It was a rare moment to treasure for Lovren, in what has been a disastrous first year on Merseyside.
Kolo Toure – performance in the Bernabeu
With many horrified at the news Toure was starting away to Real Madrid, the 34-year-old produced a performance of gargantuan proportions at Santiago Bernabeu.
He made endless vital tackles, blocks and interceptions, and was a huge reason for Liverpool only losing 1-0 on the night.
Alberto Moreno – Tottenham goal
Without question, the brilliant solo effort away to Spurs back in August.
Having robbed Andros Townsend of the ball on the halfway line, Moreno powered his way into the penalty area before finishing brilliantly past Hugo Lloris. It felt like Liverpool had a real player on their hands.
Jose Enrique – Instagram skills
It’s virtually impossible to think of a single good thing Enrique has done this season, so let’s just praise his decent form when it comes to posting photos and videos on social media.
Steven Gerrard – double vs. Wimbledon
The skipper’s match-winning performance in the FA Cup third round against minnows AFC Wimbledon summed him up to a tee.
With others around him performing atrociously, Gerrard scored twice on the night and got his side through almost single-handedly. That has been the case for a large chunk of his Liverpool career.
Lucas Leiva – performance vs. Chelsea
The Brazilian isn’t a player who scores great goals, provides quality assists or even makes match-saving tackles, so it’s hard to pinpoint one moment that stands out.
His performance at Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final was outstanding though, and showed great character given he had suffered a career-threatening injury at Stamford Bridge a few years earlier.
Joe Allen – performance vs. Man City at home
A majestic midfield performance at home to Man City in March.
The 25-year-old is a player who divides opinion hugely, but he was colossal in the middle of the park against Yaya Toure, winning tackles, working tirelessly and passing the ball excellently. It gave a glimpse of what the Welshman is capable of.
Jordan Henderson – goal vs. Man City
The stunning strike in that same game against City at Anfield.
The Reds vice-captain cut inside and bent a stunning shot off the underside of Joe Hart’s crossbar, completely silencing those who say he lacks technique in the process.
Jordan Rossiter – debut goal vs. Middlesbrough
Rossiter’s only appearance of the season came against Middlesbrough in the League Cup at Anfield, and the 18-year-old gave his side the lead with a well-taken long-range effort. It was the stuff of dreams for the boyhood Red.
Lazar Markovic – goal and performance vs. Sunderland
It hasn’t been a good first season at Liverpool for the young Serb, but his match-winning display at Sunderland in January definitely stands out.
Not only did he score the only goal of the game, but he also hit the bar with an absolutely incredible scissor-kicked effort.
Jordon Ibe – Merseyside derby performance
The stunning shot that hit the post at Everton was a breathtaking moment. It was inches from being one of the great Merseyside derby goals.
Ibe’s whole performance that day was superb, and outlined just what a special talent the club have in their ranks.
Philippe Coutinho – winner against City
Liverpool’s Player of the Season has had several standout moments, but his supreme winner against City just edges out equally brilliant efforts against Bolton and Southampton.
The 22-year-old curled a wonderful shot into the far corner of the net from wide on the left, and it ensured a massive victory for Rodgers’ men. It really felt like a top-four finish would happen at that point.
Raheem Sterling – humiliating Winston Reid
There was the goal against Chelsea in the cup, which was brilliant, but his humiliation of West Ham defender Winston Reid in January summed up Sterling’s brilliance.
The 20-year-old skinned the highly-rated New Zealand star not once, not twice but three times, before finding Alberto Moreno with an inch-perfect cross. It was outrageous.
Adam Lallana – goal vs. Swansea
The 26-year-old’s classy goal at home Swansea was a rare moment of true quality in an otherwise frustrating first season at Anfield.
Having played a delightful one-two with Philippe Coutinho, the England international ran on and finished emphatically into the Kop net. More of that next season please.
Daniel Sturridge – first goal back vs. West Ham
Following a miserable four-month injury lay-off, Sturridge’s goal on his return against West Ham was a great moment.
The 25-year-old had been a huge miss to his side, and when he ruthlessly dispatched the ball past Hammers ‘keeper Adrian, Anfield erupted.
Mario Balotelli – winning goal against Tottenham
It’s fair to say that Balotelli’s first, and surely only, season at Liverpool has been abysmal, but his winning goal at home to Spurs was a rare moment in which the Italian proved to be the difference.
Rickie Lambert – substitue goal at Aston Villa
It was meant to be a dream move for Lambert, but it has been a nightmare. That said, his victory-clinching strike at Aston Villa in January was a great moment for the 33-year-old.
Having fired home a terrific finish, he ran straight to the travelling Reds fanatics and embraced them in a moment of pure joy.
Fabio Borini – only goal of the season, vs Villa
Like all of Liverpool’s strikers this season Borini has done very little, making it hard to pick out many indelible moments.
His goal against Villa, in the same game as Lambert’s aforementioned effort, was probably his most telling contribution of the season though, and outlined the movement and finishing he (all too rarely) has in his locker.
Jerome Sinclair – debut at Chelsea
Being handed his Premier League debut away to Chelsea was a moment the 18-year-old will surely never forget.
What is your favourite individual moment for each Liverpool player this season? Let us know in the comments below.
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