February proved to be a trophy and injury-laden month for Liverpool Football Club.
Despite having *checks notes* a whopping 13 players out injured by the end of the month, the Reds managed to bag themselves the first available trophy of the season – beating Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final thanks to an extra-time header from Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds also introduced a new generation of players to the masses, many of whom took to first-team football like a duck to water, and remain firmly in contention for a second Premier League title in four years.
Here’s their five best performers of the month, based on 90min’s player ratings metrics.
Darwin Nunez was building up a head of steam with impressive goalscoring performances in the win over Burnley and Brentford, but injury ultimately curtailed his month.
And the same can be said for Mohamed Salah, who popped his head in for a player of the match outing against Brentford before heading back to the treatment table again.
5. Wataru Endo
Appearances: 4
Average rating: 6.75 (7,7,6,7)
Player of the match: 0
“He might be 30 or 31 in the passport but he is not, he’s a machine. Footballing wise he is exceptional, defensively insane. Yeah…very helpful.”
That was Jurgen Klopp’s assessment of Wataru Endo after his lung-busting, cramp-inducing outing against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
It was one of the many all-action performances of what was a busy month for the holding midfielder.
4. Luis Diaz
Appearances: 5
Average rating: 6.8 (5,8,7,7,7)
Player of the match: 1
While his offensive teammates have been dropping like flies in recent weeks, Luis Diaz has able stay fit and regularly contribute for Liverpool.
His two goals, one assist and a player of the match award are testament to his value to Klopp’s side.
3. Alexis Mac Allister
Appearances: 6
Average rating: 6.83 (6,7,8,8,6,6)
Player of the match: 1
Has Mac Allister been Liverpool’s best player this season?
He’s certainly in the conversation.
The dynamic Argentine continued his consistently brilliant performances for the Reds in February, bagging two 8/10 ratings to help settle things down in Klopp’s injury-ravaged side.
2.Vigil van Dijk
Appearances: 6
Average rating: 6.83 (3,7,8,8,8,7)
Player of the match: 1
The Carabao Cup hero, Virgil van Dijk has been firmly back to his best so far this season.
Van Dijk was the constant in Klopp’s defence throughout February, leading his youthful teammates by example, and would arguably have been the club’s player of the month were it not for a rare disastrous outing against Arsenal.
1. Caoimhin Kelleher
Appearances: 5
Average rating: 7.6 (7,7,7,8,9)
Player of the match: 1
No Alisson? No matter.
Dubbed the best number two goalkeeper in the Premier League by Klopp, Caoimhin Kelleher confirmed suspicions that he should be first choice somewhere with his stunning performances this past month.
His whopping 22 saves in five games – including nine in the cup final alone – make him the rightful winner of Liverpool’s player of the month award.
