Liverpool have been recognised for their storming season so far, with former Premier League title winner Alan Shearer naming three of their stars in his team of the year.
Alan Shearer has named three Liverpool players in his team of the season so far, with the Reds leading the way in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have stormed to the top of the division, bouncing back from a disappointing campaign last season. The Reds are three points clear of Aston Villa, who sit second, having lost just one game so far this term.
Their stunning performance has been recognised by Shearer, who won the title with Blackburn Rovers in 1995. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have all been included in Shearer’s XI.
Though Alisson has kept a league-high six clean sheets, Shearer has named Tottenham star Guglielmo Vicario in goal. Explaining the decision, Shearer told the Premier League: “Spurs’ brave style under Ange Postecoglou means he faces lots of shots and also has to play out from the back under pressure. He has excelled in both areas.”
Shearer has also been impressed by Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, who have helped the Reds to the division’s best defensive record. William Saliba and Destiny Udogie are the other two defenders named in the team, with Shearer reserving high praise for the Liverpool duo.
He said: “[Alexander-Arnold’s] final ball is second to none. In certain matches he has willed Liverpool to a win from right-back or his new central-midfield role. Incredible. [Van Dijk is] rock solid at the back and leads the Liverpool defence superbly. He’s back to his best.”
Shearer then named a midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Douglas Luiz, with the former striker hailing the way the Englishman has settled in at Arsenal. He added: “Has transitioned seamlessly into the Arsenal midfield. His tackling and reading of the game is superb.”
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In an attack-heavy line-up, Shearer includes Salah, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen and Son Heung-min in his team. Salah is tied for top scorer in the division with Erling Haaland and has notched eight assists.
Of the Reds star, Shearer said: “We are witnessing greatness. This season he’s scored his 150th Premier League goal, scored the joint-most goals along with Erling Haaland, and produced the joint-most assists.”
Watkins meanwhile has fired in nine goals as well as contributing eight assists in Aston Villa’s remarkable title challenge. He sits just behind Jarrod Bowen in the scoring charts, with the West Ham star hitting 11 goals.
Despite the rumours swirling around David Moyes ‘ future, Bowen’s goals have fired the Hammers to sixth, with Shearer hailing the Englishman. He said: “A clinical finisher who has been devastating for a West Ham side who thrive on the counter-attack.”
Here is the team selected by Shearer
Alan Shearer’s Team of the Season: Guglielmo Vicario; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, Destiny Udogie; Declan Rice, Douglas Luiz; Mohamed Salah, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, Son Heung-min
