5. Adam Lallana
It isn’t easy to think of anything bad to say about any of the final five. Well above the rest of the team in terms of performance, the remaining players have all been vital to the team’s attacking identity. Someone has to be ranked at #5, but there is almost nothing separating Lallana and the forthcoming players.
Lallana’s presence in the midfield has been interesting to watch since the start of the season. He has taken on a central midfield role, and has done better than most have expected. He is the only Liverpool player to record both 3 goals and 3 assists, and he has been so important in linking up with the front three and breaking down defenses.
His 2.2 shots per 90 ranks ahead of the other interior midfielder Wijnaldum (1.8), while his 1.5 chances created per 90 is below Wijnaldum (2.0) and equal to Henderson. Although these stats don’t show us that he is necessarily better or worse than the other midfielders, it shows the contrast in style between them and Lallana.
Lallana has put up some very gaudy numbers if you look at the basic stats. He is 2nd in the Premier League in assists with five, and he has added three goals along with that. I’m not sure he can keep up with such a torrid pace like that, but if the offense continues to click, you never know if he may continue to post some eye-opening numbers. The England international has been molded into a great player under Jurgen Klopp, and I’d expect him to continue playing at that level.