GENK, BELGIUM - Wednesday, October 23, 2019: Liverpool's Sadio Mané (R) celebrates scoring the third goal with team-mate Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between KRC Genk and Liverpool FC at the KRC Genk Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

From unstoppable Mane to revitalised Lovren – Ranking Liverpool’s 10 best players in November

November was another month full of positive results for Liverpool, but who stood out as their star man during that period?

The Reds ended October with a thrilling League Cup win over Arsenal, three days after victory against Tottenham had sent them six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

In the month that followed, Jurgen Klopp‘s side excelled without always playing well, building an 11-point advantage over Man City and Chelsea.

Liverpool played six times overall in November, winning all four league matches, against Aston Villa, City, Crystal Palace and Brighton.

A narrow win over Genk and a draw at home to Napoli also took place in the Champions League, leaving Klopp’s men with work to do in the competition.

Here’s how we rank Liverpool’s top 10 players for the month – does October’s star man Fabinho retain top spot?

 

10. Mohamed Salah

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 10, 2019: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 5
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
October Ranking: 4
Differential: -6


Salah continued to be a threat in November, but he is ultimately still a long way short of his best.

A persistent ankle injury has been the main reason for that, but that shouldn’t completely excuse some sloppy use of the ball.

The Egyptian has still contributed positively, however, not least in the 3-1 win over Man City, when he headed home brilliantly to score his side’s second goal.

More productive months await this season.

 

9. Gini Wijnaldum

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 27, 2019: Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum (R) and SSC Napoli's Giovanni Di Lorenzo during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and SSC Napoli at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
October Ranking: 10
Differential: +1


Wijnaldum has been one of the Netherlands’ star men of late, scoring goals for fun and thriving in a more attack-minded midfield role.

The 29-year-old has been his usual subtle-but-effective self for Liverpool, though, knitting things together but occasionally leaving you wanting more.

No goals or assists came Wijnaldum’s way in November, but he was excellent in the victory against Man City, easily getting the better of the champions’ midfield.

The Dutchman’s influence is only truly appreciated when he isn’t playing, but this wasn’t the most eye-catching of months.

 

8. Jordan Henderson

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 2, 2019: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. Liverpool won 2-1 with an injury time winning goal. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 5
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
October Ranking: N/A
Differential: N/A


Henderson’s form has been patchy in 2019/20, but he has now overcome the slump that occurred before November.

He started the month with an up-and-down showing at Aston Villa, but he was superb against City, sending in a stunning cross for Sadio Mane to make it 3-0.

Since then, the skipper’s performances have been more solid than spectacular, with endless industry but not always enough creativity.

He remains harshly maligned by some, but it is also clear that better midfield options are available in certain matches.

 

7. Roberto Firmino

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 23, 2019: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 6
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
October Ranking: 5
Differential: -2


Firmino is having a curious season in many ways, with his usual impact on show but also not enough goals scored.

The Brazilian is still waiting to score his first of the season at Anfield, which isn’t good enough for a player of his calibre.

That being said, Liverpool’s No.9 was still good overall, leading the line excellently against City.

Then there was the priceless winner away to Crystal Palace, which could prove to be one of the Reds’ biggest goals of the season.

 

6. Trent Alexander-Arnold

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 10, 2019: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Assists: 3
October Ranking: 3
Differential: -3


The vast influence of Alexander-Arnold was laid bare against Napoli earlier in the week, simply by not starting the game.

The 21-year-old has already become one of the first names on Klopp’s team-sheet, with his creativity and quality from deep bringing an extra dimension to the attack.

Although Alexander-Arnold arguably didn’t hit top gear, like the vast majority of Liverpool players, he was still key.

His whipped corner led to Mane pouncing in stoppage time at Villa and he also delivered two assists for Virgil van Dijk at home to Brighton.

Some of his passing, particularly long-range, was a joy to watch in November.

 

5. Dejan Lovren

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 27, 2019: Liverpool's Dejan Lovren scores the first equalising goal with a header to level the score at 1-1 during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and SSC Napoli at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 5
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
October Ranking: N/A
Differential: N/A


Lovren was written off many during the summer and an Anfield exit felt inevitable.

He has made the most of Joel Matip‘s injury and Joe Gomez‘s loss of form, though, enjoying his best month for Liverpool in a long time.

The Croatian shone on several occasions alongside Van Dijk, especially when City came to Anfield and the Reds dug out a win at Palace.

Lovren also found the net for good measure, steering home a header in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Napoli.

There is often a feeling that a mistake isn’t too far away, but the centre-back deserves huge credit for an impressive month.

 

4. Andy Robertson

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 2, 2019: Liverpool's Andy Robertson celebrates scoring the first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 6
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
October Ranking: 6
Differential: +2


Robertson may be battling to overcome an ankle issue, but that didn’t prevent him from enjoying a strong November.

A little like Van Dijk, it is easy to take him for granted at times, as he continues to be a world-class combination of defensive solidity, energy and end product.

Robertson got the second-most assists (two) in the month, with his cross for Salah in the memorable win over City inch-perfect in its execution.

The left-back also powered home a header in the dramatic victory at Villa, highlighting his winning mentality.

Klopp wouldn’t swap Robertson for anyone.

 

3. Fabinho

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 10, 2019: Liverpool's Fabio Henrique Tavares 'Fabinho' scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Appearances: 4
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
October Ranking: 1
Differential: -2


Fabinho‘s long-term injury absence is a massive blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title chances, such is his importance.

It was a sad sight seeing him limp off against Napoli, but prior to that, he had enjoyed another supreme month of football.

A thunderbolt at home to City was worthy of a Steven Gerrard special and he was monstrous throughout that day, on a potentially season-defining afternoon.

Only managing four appearances, one of which ended prematurely, is the main reason why Fabinho doesn’t rank higher.

 

2. Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with team-mate Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Champions League match at Anfield, Liverpool.

Appearances: 6
Goals: 2
Assists: 0
October Ranking: 7
Differential: +5


Van Dijk is now so good that anything other than an immaculate performance is treated as some sort of shock – November was another faultless month, on the whole.

Granted, he was part of a defence that failed to keep a clean sheet, but he produced a number of dominant showings.

No opposition players got the better of him and he was magnificent at Palace, winning countless aerial duels and holding the defence together.

His match-winning double against Brighton on Saturday saw him end November in style.

 

1. Sadio Mane

Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. PA Photo. Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Appearances: 6
Goals: 2
Assists: 0
October Ranking: 2
Differential: +1


For the first time this season, Mane takes top spot.

Along with Fabinho, the Senegalese superstar has been Liverpool’s Player of the Year so far – November saw him drag the Reds over the finish line at times.

In a campaign already littered with last-gasp goals, Mane’s perfect header at Villa Park could be the most dramatic of the lot.

He also netted with his head against City and his all-round threat from the left-hand side was bordering on unplayable.

Mane is the bookies’ favourite for the PFA Player of the Year award – rightly so.