Still top of the league table and with three competitions underway, Liverpool have plenty of reason for optimism as we head into October.
During the month of September the Reds faced five matches, four of which were away from home, which makes it all the more impressive that four more victories were attained.
Newcastle, Chelsea, MK Dons and Sheffield United were put to the sword, while only Napoli managed to beat the Reds in the Champions League.
There are even more games ahead in October, with six fixtures for the Reds and another international break, so here’s a look back at who impacted the most for Jurgen Klopp‘s team and those in the Academy.
First team
Most appearances: 5 – James Milner; 4 – Ten players.
Most minutes: 360 – Adrian, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho.
Top scorer: 2 – Sadio Mane; 1 – Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum.
Most assists: 2 – Andy Robertson; 1 – Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Mo Salah.
Most shots (PL+CL only): 13 – Mo Salah; 11 – Sadio Mane; 7 – Roberto Firmino, Gini Wijnaldum; 4 – Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Key passes (PL+CL only): 10 – Roberto Firmino; 9 – Trent Alexander-Arnold; 5 – Sadio Mane; 4 – Andy Robertson, Mo Salah; 3 – Fabinho, Jordan Henderson.
Interceptions (PL+CL only): 6 – Andy Robertson; 5 – Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson; 4 – Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane.
Tackles (PL+CL only): 10 – Fabinho; 9 – Joel Matip; 7 – Trent Alexander-Arnold; 6 – Jordan Henderson; 5 – Sadio Mane; 4 – Virgil van Dijk.
An unchanged back line for the games in league and Europe mean that a host of players played in four games, but Milner—two starts, three as sub—was the only player to feature in all five.
Given their importance to the team in an attacking sense, it’s good to see end product once more from the two full-backs—but the star of the defence this month was undoubtedly Joel Matip.
The big centre-back has been excellent of late, even factoring in his consistent calendar year.
Elsewhere, Fabinho‘s presence is being noted in both halves of the pitch and, even though actually scoring has dried up of late, it’s heartening to see the front three still being in positions where they can make and take chances on goal.
U23s/U21s
Most appearances: 4 – Tony Gallacher, Neco Williams, Elijah Dixon-Bonner.
Top goalscorer: 4 – Curtis Jones.
Most assists: 2 – Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott.
Four games, four draws—that’s the month the U23s have enjoyed…or perhaps endured.
Three of those fixtures came in the Premier League 2, against Derby, Leicester and most recently Arsenal, while the other was the EFL Trophy match against Fleetwood.
More pleasingly, though, a number of the U23s featured for the Reds’ senior side against MK Dons in the League Cup.
U18s/U19s
Most appearances: 4 – Jake Cain.
Top goalscorer: 3 – Fidel O’Rourke.
Most assists: 2 – Jake Cain, Leighton Clarkson.
September started in tricky fashion but got better for the U18s, as the young Reds were heavily beaten by Man City but bounced back with a draw and two wins.
A late 1-1 draw was salvaged in the UEFA Youth League against Napoli, before Middlesbrough were vanquished in league play and a late comeback win was attained over Swansea in the Premier League Cup.
It’s back to European action next against Salzburg in October—and the the U18 mini-derby to look forward to for Barry Lewtas‘ side, against Everton.
Fan Comments