Premier League: Liverpool’s 2019-20 Players of The Year

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates scoring a goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on March 07, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates scoring a goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on March 07, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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Several Liverpool players could be honored as the team’s offensive player of the year.

Mohamed Salah led the club in goals scored with 16 goals, expected goals (xG), expected goals per 90 minutes (xG/90 mins), and tied for the top spot in non-penalty expected goals, plus expected assists per 90 minutes (npxG+xA/90).

The 28-year-old Roberto Firmino was a solid all-around offensive performer as he notched eight goals and seven assists. He led in non-penalty expected goals (npxG) with 12.3. He was also second-best in his assists conversion ratio and shots per 90 minutes.

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An excellent argument could be made for defender Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s best for the honor. The 21-year-old is arguably the best young player of the Premier League. In Jürgen Klopp’s offensive tactics, he is the battery that charges the push upfield on the flanks.

Alexander-Arnold leads the club in assists with 12, key passes, expected assists (xA), expected assists per 90 minutes, progressive passes, passes into the penalty area and assists conversion rate.

Despite the mind-numbing numbers put up by these candidates, I am picking Sadio Mané as Liverpool’s offensive player of the year.

The 28-year-old Senegalese forward leads Liverpool in non-penalty goals with 14 and tied for second in assists with seven. He is their best clinical goalscorer as his non-penalty goal conversion rate is +2.6, and shot on target percentage is 49.2%. Sane is also tied for best in npxG+xA/90.

Mane is also fourth-best in expected assists, assists conversion rate, key passes, and progressive passes. He is also leading the team in successful nutmegs. Mane’s statistics show that he is Liverpool’s most dangerous all-around offensive player. He is excellent at all the key components: scoring, assisting, and playmaking.