The season is over. It ended just two weeks ago but seems like a lot more. LFC isn’t giving us any time to look back: the Champions League final, Fabinho, concussions, Fekir, sir Kenny… Before everything seems even more distant the Anfield index writers collaborated on giving each player’s season a rating. The average post-match rating is the average of all AI match ratings the player received during the season.
Loris Karius – average post-match rating 6.33, writers season rating 6.67
The German keeper had a very solid season apart from the second half in Kiev. However, those terrible 40 minutes put a question mark on his future between the sticks. The concussion explains the errors by Karius still needs to show resilience in getting over them. A new keeper might be on his way to Anfield to make his life even harder.
Simon Mignolet – average post-match rating 5.6, writers season rating 4.42
The Belgian has most likely played his last match in a Liverpool shirt. He had a shaky season and was dropped for Karius. Migs was a big part of our bad start of the season. It was the third time Mignolet lost his starting place since coming to Anfield. The defence improved massively without him. Good luck in your next club, mister Nasty!
Trent Alexander-Arnold –Â average post-match rating 6.44, writers season rating 7.33
The young scouser had a breakout year. He was massive in the Champions League run and improved as the season progressed. He also scored more Champions League goals this season than Everton have ever. Trent made some defensive errors as the season went along but that is to be expected from a teenager. The season ended with a well-deserved seat on the plane to Russia. The future is bright for TAA.
Joe Gomez –Â average post-match rating 5.96, writers season rating 6
Gomez had a fairly average season. He made a lot of irritating defensive mistakes – misjudging diagonal balls and playing attackers on side and wasn’t anything spectacular going forward. Other than that the young English defender was solid. He needs to improve if he wants as much game time next season. Alexander-Arnold managed to overtake him as the starting right back at the end of the season and Clyne will hopefully be fit for 2018/2019.
Virgil van Dijk –Â average post-match rating 6.52, writers season rating 8.42
Quite possibly the best money LFC spent over the last decade. He scored an FA cup winner against Everton on his debut. The Reds’ defensive record since the arrival of the big Dutchman is borderline elite. Even Dejan Lovren looks like a capable defender next to him. Thanks to van Dijk acquiring a new centre-back is way down Michael Edwards’ shopping list.
Dejan Lovren –Â average post-match rating 5.8, writers season rating 6.75
Lovren had a mixed season. A terrible start of the season was capped of by being subbed out in the 30th minute against Spurs. The Croatian managed to turn things around and had his best spell in the famous Red shirt in the second half of the season. For the first time in his Liverpool career, it seems supporters don’t mind to see his name on the team sheet. Lovren still needs to show that he can be consistent and healthy to be considered van Dijk’s long-term partner.
Ragnar Klavan –Â average post-match rating 6.18, writers season rating 6.17
As reliable as ever LFC’s fourth choice centre-back didn’t really put a foot wrong this season. He did his job when called upon and even added a match winner against Burnley.
Joel Matip –Â average post-match rating 5.79, writers season rating 5.25
Matip had the worst season out all four centre-backs. He was one of the main reasons for our terrible start defensively and didn’t really get a chance to redeem himself the way Lovren because his season was cut short by an injury. His errors aren’t as obvious as Lovren’s but still cost the team. A big improvement will be needed for him to be a starter next season.
Andrew Robertson –Â average post-match rating 6.52, writers season rating 8.17
That Scottish boy from Hull that cost just 8 million pounds turned out be a baller. He was very good defensively, putting several world-class wingers in his pocket in the Champions League campaign. Robertson’s offensive output wasn’t great and his crossing comes and goes but he is very smart with the ball in his feet and times his runs perfectly.  The last reliable left back to play for LFC was probably John Arne Riise and even he was a liability at the tail end of his career. Robertson seems to have solved that issue.
Alberto Moreno –Â average post-match rating 6.30, writers season rating 6.08
Moreno looked like he had turned a corner in the begging of the season. He even earned a call-up for Spain. We didn’t see a lot of defensive errors from him and he was good going forward. An injury derailed his season and he couldn’t retake the starting spot from Robertson. The Spaniard is a very good back up and as long as he is happy with that role he should get enough game time as Klopp rotates the squad next season.
Part 2 will have the ratings for midfield and attack.
Thanks to Adam, Tom, Leanne, Alex and Aadi for their ratings.
