5. Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister hasn’t been named the best player of any match in September, despite the crucial role he plays in the center of the field. Mac Allister is not only effective in pressing and counter-pressing but also does a lot of work in his own half as part of the defensive unit. He regularly intercepts the ball and is strong in tackling.
In the match against Bournemouth, the Argentine had six successful tackles and won nine duels out of fifteen attempts.
Alexis Mac Allister #UCL pic.twitter.com/AXAhuKBPMf
— H (@HQpcrt) October 2, 2024
Moreover, he is very good at moving the ball into the opponent’s half at the start of the attack and making penetrating passes into the penalty area. Mac Allister is a press-resistant player who, even under heavy pressure, provides the team with a steady outlet into the opponent’s half.
Without Mac Allister’s terrific versatility, Slot’s team would hardly be able to claim a high position in the Premier League this season.
4. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah played brilliantly in August and early September, but he struggled to showcase his best qualities in the matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
This was mainly due to the strong resistance from opponents, as Salah is usually tightly marked and aggressively defended by at least two defenders. Additionally, it’s important for the Egyptian forward to maintain optimal condition throughout the long season, as he has experienced a significant drop in performance in previous years starting from mid-January.
Mohamed Salah #WOLLIV pic.twitter.com/uHK29SSheD
— ًًً (@HQwallp) September 28, 2024
Nonetheless, Salah continues to be a key player for Liverpool in the final third, and the team’s effectiveness this season largely depends on his actions.
3. Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk made very few mistakes in the matches in September, showing incredible reliability in the penalty area. In situations where Liverpool faced pressing problems, the Dutch defender excelled in battles in the central zone of the field and gained possession of the ball.
Furthermore, van Dijk continues to be one of the best defenders in world football, adept at choosing the right position and catching opponents in offside traps.
Virgil Van Dijk – Start To The Season pic.twitter.com/0VckfXooJz
— E4 (@LFC_ERYAN) October 5, 2024
The Dutch center-back also excels in making trademark long diagonal passes to the right flank, greatly aiding Liverpool in conducting fast, wide attacks. Van Dijk fully deserves to win a major trophy this season, as he has been demonstrating an exceptional level of play for several years now.
2. Ibrahima Konaté
Ibrahima Konaté has missed regular matches in previous seasons due to injuries, which has significantly impacted Liverpool’s defense. With the departure of Joël Matip, the Reds are in desperate need of high-level center-backs, making Konaté incredibly important for Arne Slot.
This season, Konaté consistently outpaces opponents and covers the entire right flank of the defense, providing active support for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
🚨🔴 Liverpool have opened talks over new deal for Ibrahima Konaté as he’s considered key part of the project.
Discussions ongoing and expected to advance soon as Ibrahima is happy at Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/wUbBmQCfSF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 6, 2024
In the attacking phase, Konaté has repeatedly broken through opponents’ first line of pressing with his passes and scored goals from corner kicks with his head.
If the French defender can avoid injuries this season, Liverpool stands a good chance of winning the Premier League or the Champions League with a player of his caliber.
1. Ryan Gravenberch
In previous years, Ryan Gravenberch was considered one of the major transfer disappointments for Bayern München and Liverpool. The Dutchman played extremely inconsistently and often displayed below-average performance levels.
However, Arne Slot has managed to revive Gravenberch this season and turn him into one of the most valuable players in European football. Ryan is incredibly effective in both defensive and attacking phases, providing his team with dominance in the midfield.
Ryan Gravenberch – Start to the Season pic.twitter.com/MMV5kdgjmg
— 𝑺𝒁𝒀 (@SzyFilmz) October 5, 2024
He excels at choosing positions in counter-pressing, tightly engaging in tackles, and superbly cutting off passing lanes in the central area of the field. Gravenberch possesses excellent pressing resistance and can deliver quick penetrating passes to his team’s midfielders.
This season, Ryan has the opportunity to finally unleash his potential and become one of the best central midfielders in Europe.
