Premier League champions: Liverpool's class of 2019-20
Jürgen Klopp's 2019-20 squad have delivered the Premier League title for Liverpool.
A collection of different nationalities, ages and personalities have all come together to make history by securing the Reds a first top-flight title in 30 years, amassing an incredible, club-record 99 points.
We pay homage to those players who made the dream possible below by order of squad number...
No.1 - Alisson Becker
Liverpool's near-impenetrable goalkeeper that 'makes difficult things look easy', in the view of his manager. He racked up a total of 13 clean sheets this term. That's even more startling after a calf injury, sustained during the opening fixture against Norwich City, sidelined Alisson for 10 weeks of the campaign. The Brazilian returned determined, however, and went on to concede just a single Premier League goal in an 11-game spell between December and February. He also played his part in the Reds' final-third production with his eye-catching footwork and distribution - most notably when assisting Mohamed Salah's clincher over Manchester United in January.
- Premier League appearances this season: 29
- Premier League minutes played: 2,545
- Premier League clean sheets: 13
No.3 - Fabinho
The Brazilian's popularity and importance is underlined by his two nicknames. Within the Liverpool dressing room, Fabinho is referred to as either 'Dyson' in tribute to his defensive-midfield qualities or Flaco, a South American term meaning 'the skinny one'. The No.3 carried his Champions League-winning form into 2019-20 and claimed Liverpool's Goal of the Month award for November for his thunderous effort against Manchester City at Anfield. An untimely ankle injury in November halted his fine form and he wouldn't return until the New Year. Regardless, he quickly reintegrated himself back into the side to help with the Reds' charge to glory, scoring another rocket at home to Crystal Palace.
- Premier League appearances this season: 28
- Premier League minutes played: 2,074
- Premier League goals: 2
- Premier League assists: 3
No.4 - Virgil van Dijk
Ever-present for a second consecutive league season - the first Liverpool outfield player to achieve that feat since Robbie Fowler in the mid-1990s - Van Dijk was the unruffled rock at the centre of the backline as circumstances forced changes in personnel around and behind him. A run of 10 clean sheets in 11 Premier League games from December to February coincided perfectly with the most demanding period of the campaign and saw the Reds emerge with an insurmountable advantage at the top of the table. No defender in the league could better his tally of five goals at the other end, either, as the Dutchman netted a crucial double against Brighton and powered home a memorable opener in the Anfield defeat of Manchester United.
- Premier League appearances this season: 38
- Premier League minutes played: 3,420
- Premier League goals: 5
- Premier League assists: 1
- Premier League clean sheets: 15
No.5 - Georginio Wijnaldum
As was the case in 2018-19, Wijnaldum played the most Premier League minutes among Liverpool's cohort of midfielders this season. The Dutchman made 37 top-flight appearances - 35 of which were starts - and ended the campaign with 2,948 minutes to his name; some 704 more than Jordan Henderson, who sits second on the champions' minutes played list for midfielders. In short, Wijnaldum's importance to Jürgen Klopp's system - a system that has amassed 196 points over the course of the last two Premier League campaigns - cannot be overstated. While the Netherlands international's influence is not best quantified through goals, his first three in the division this season all carried particular significance; none more so than number one, a scrappy yet vital winner that secured a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United in September. He later wrapped up the comprehensive 5-2 Merseyside derby win over Everton at Anfield and opened the scoring in the Reds' 3-2 success against West Ham United in February, before firing in a superb volley versus Chelsea on the evening the champions received the Premier League trophy.
- Premier League appearances this season: 37
- Premier League minutes played: 2,948
- Premier League goals: 4
No.6 - Dejan Lovren
Lovren now adds a Premier League winner's medal to his collection in his sixth season at the club, having been around since the very start of the Klopp era. The experienced defender enjoyed a fine run of form in the autumn that carried into the winter, impressing in his six consecutive starts at centre-back in the league. The Croatia international also delivered an exquisite assist in the 5-2 victory over Everton at Anfield. "It’s something special that we did," Lovren proudly declared after the title was secured.
- Premier League appearances this season: 10
- Premier League minutes played: 777
- Premier League assists: 1
No.7 - James Milner
Liverpool's evergreen vice-captain, Milner was again a master of many trades as his flawless professionalism ensured nobody dared drop a percentage point in the pursuit of the Premier League title - the third of his career. A cool stoppage-time penalty to defeat Leicester City at Anfield kept up the Reds' initial winning streak and he repeated the trick in the reverse meeting - a 4-0, season-defining victory. At the other end, his goalline clearance against Bournemouth - on one of the occasions he diligently filled in at left-back - preserved an important result in the last league game played before lockdown. "He has an outstanding attitude: towards football, towards looking after himself and towards looking after others," said the boss.
- Premier League appearances this season: 22
- Premier League minutes played: 926
- Premier League goals: 2
- Premier League assists: 2
No.8 - Naby Keita
The midfielder came into his own when the Premier League resumed. 'Unbelievable' was the word used by Klopp to describe Keita's displays in June and July. Before then, the Guinean's season had been stop-start due to injuries. But he returned to feature in all of Liverpool's nine remaining fixtures of the campaign after lockdown. A particular standout moment from his efforts this term was a superb long-range strike to open the evening against Chelsea when the Reds got their hands on the trophy.
- Premier League appearances this season: 18
- Premier League minutes played: 814
- Premier League goals: 2
- Premier League assists: 3
No.9 - Roberto Firmino
From outrageous pieces of skill to the most outlandish celebrations, there's nobody truly like Liverpool's No.9. Appearing in every one of the Reds' Premier League fixtures this season, Firmino brings about a work-rate that allows others in the side to flourish. His unique selflessness was typified in February with a hat-trick of assists against Southampton. "I absolutely love him," Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gushed. "He's such a joy to play with." But finishing off moves is also part of his game as he netted crucial winners at Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers this season.
- Premier League appearances this season: 38
- Premier League minutes played: 3,001
- Premier League goals: 9
- Premier League assists: 8
No.10 - Sadio Mane
Mane's influence was writ large on Liverpool's Premier League title win. A career-high 25 goal involvements (18 goals and seven assists) in 35 appearances tells its own story but, beyond the raw numbers, the No.10 was a driving force behind his team's relentless march to glory. Mane's irrepressible form last autumn saw him named both Premier League and LFC Player of the Month for November, while he finished fifth in the running for the prestigious Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award. The Senegalese's standing among football's elite was evident in December and January, as he first finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or voting and was then named AFCON African Player of the Year.
- Premier League appearances this season: 35
- Premier League minutes played: 2,753
- Premier League goals: 18
- Premier League assists: 7
No.11 - Mohamed Salah
Salah continued his record-breaking exploits to help deliver more success to Anfield. "When I came here, I said I wanted to win the Premier League - it's my first thing in my head," the Egyptian stated after winning the title. Objective completed. Topping the club's scoring charts once again, Salah became the first Red since Michael Owen in 2003 to score at least 20 goals in all competitions for three consecutive seasons. Also worth highlighting is his ability to create for others as he produced 10 assists throughout 2019-20. The forward provided many iconic moments in the campaign, but one that will be replayed over and over again is his injury-time clincher against Manchester United in January.
- Premier League appearances this season: 34
- Premier League minutes played: 2,884
- Premier League goals: 19
- Premier League assists: 10
No.12 - Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez would have to wait until December to be handed an extended run in the side. Remaining patient and prepared, though, the centre-half seized his opportunity with dominant and consistent displays. Further strengthening his impeccable partnership with Van Dijk, Gomez was part of a backline that conceded just one top-flight goal from December 7 to mid-February. "It's meant the world to all of us to see how he's stepped up yet again," Jordan Henderson remarked in the New Year. The title win is the fourth major honour of the 23-year-old's Liverpool career, having joined from Charlton Athletic as a teen in 2015.
- Premier League appearances this season: 28
- Premier League minutes played: 1,999
- Premier League clean sheets: 12
No.13 - Adrian
Adrian's role in the winning of the Premier League title was significant - perhaps more so than he could have expected, or indeed hoped for, before the start of the season. A combination of injury and suspension caused Alisson to miss 11 games during 2019-20, but his deputy stepped up impressively in the No.1's enforced periods of absence. A calf issue sustained by Alisson in the first half of Liverpool's season-opening fixture against Norwich City at Anfield meant Adrian was thrust into action just four days after signing for the club. The Spaniard then started the Reds' next seven Premier League matches - all of which ended in victory - prior to the Brazilian's return, and then played in the 5-2 Merseyside derby win over Everton in December after Alisson was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion. A minor hip problem later resulted in Alisson missing the Anfield meeting with Bournemouth in March - and Adrian again stepped in and contributed to another win.
- Premier League appearances this season: 11
- Premier League minutes played: 873
- Premier League clean sheets: 2
No.14 - Jordan Henderson
Premier League-winning captain and Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year, the legacy of Henderson was further cemented this season - and quite rightly, too. The commander at the centre of the team and the ultimate standard-setter, he also weighed in with nine goal contributions in the Premier League, including important strikes against Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as he missed just four matches of the 34 before injury curtailed his campaign. But he was, of course, back for another shuffle as he became the first Reds captain for 30 years to collect the league title. "He just completely epitomises what it means to be a Liverpool footballer and what this club stands for," said teammate and friend Oxlade-Chamberlain, putting it better than anybody else possibly could.
- Premier League appearances this season: 30
- Premier League minutes played: 2,244
- Premier League goals: 4
- Premier League assists: 5
No.15 - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Oxlade-Chamberlain re-established himself as a mainstay of Klopp's first-team group after spending the vast majority of 2018-19 recovering from a serious knee injury. The No.15 was deployed in a variety of midfield and attacking positions by the boss from the outset of the season and he went on to appear in 30 of the champions' 38 league fixtures, providing his own blend of power, energy and potency. That tally included 17 starts for the England international. His victory-sealing goal against Chelsea on the night he and his teammates lifted the Premier League trophy wrapped up a third consecutive league campaign without defeat at Anfield for himself and the club.
- Premier League appearances this season: 30
- Premier League minutes played: 1,492
- Premier League goals: 4
- Premier League assists: 1
No.18 - Takumi Minamino
Technically a champion with both Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool this season, Minamino has given glimpses of his attacking potential since switching between the clubs in January. The Japan international made his Premier League bow as a first-half substitute in the hard-fought win at Wolverhampton Wanderers and earned a first start in the Merseyside derby when the campaign restarted in June. He made a total of 10 appearances in the top flight as he settled into life with his new team and will head into a first full season on Merseyside buoyed by the possession of a Premier League winner's medal.
Premier League appearances this season: 10
Premier League minutes played: 242
No.20 - Adam Lallana
"If I am fit, I am sure I will contribute in a big way." They were the words of Adam Lallana in September, outlining his determination to leave a mark on the 2019-20 campaign after enduring two years of niggling injuries. The experienced midfielder did exactly as he hoped with invaluable contributions in multiple competitions. In matters relating to the Premier League, Lallana came on as a second-half substitute at Manchester United in October to earn Liverpool a point by snatching a late equaliser. "He is one of the most important players since my time here," Klopp said. "So I wish him only the best for the future."
- Premier League appearances this season: 15
- Premier League minutes played: 374
- Premier League goals: 1
- Premier League assists: 1
No.22 - Andy Lonergan
Lonergan - who was part of the matchday squad three times in the Premier League this term - has been lauded for his professionalism and attitude around Liverpool's goalkeeper unit. He joined up with the Reds last summer as multiple injuries and absences depleted the custodian ranks and later penned a deal for the duration of the season, diligently doing his bit to maintain standards at Melwood. "He has a great mentality and has been a good help for us," head of goalkeeping John Achterberg said.
No.23 - Xherdan Shaqiri
Stepping up to the plate during a grand occasion once again, Shaqiri netted a lovely goal for Liverpool's second in the victory over Everton at Anfield back in December. It was the highlight of an often frustrating campaign for the Swiss attacker, with untimely injuries limiting his action on the pitch, but ultimately not denying him yet another major honour.
- Premier League appearances this season: 7
- Premier League minutes played: 182
- Premier League goals: 1
No.26 - Andy Robertson
A cornerstone of the Premier League's meanest defence, Robertson missed just two top-flight matches all season. The left-back was an ever-present in the division up to early March and started all but one of Liverpool's 29 games prior to being omitted as a precaution for the Anfield victory over Bournemouth. A constant source of industry, energy and quality at both ends of the pitch mark Robertson out as one of the division's finest full-backs. The Scotland captain provided 12 assists throughout the campaign and the first of his two goals would surely be in the conversation for the accolade of the Reds' most important. His thumping back-post header brought his side level late on at Aston Villa back in early November, with that equaliser preceding Mane's stoppage-time winner.
- Premier League appearances this season: 36
- Premier League minutes played: 3,113
- Premier League goals: 2
- Premier League assists: 12
- Premier League clean sheets: 9
No.27 - Divock Origi
Origi helped set Liverpool on their way to the Premier League title by registering a goal and an assist in the 4-1 opening-day victory over Norwich City at Anfield. That win against the Canaries represented the first of the Belgian's 28 top-flight appearances during 2019-20. The majority of those came as a substitute, but Origi reaffirmed his status as a Merseyside derby hero on one of his seven starts back in December. A clinical brace in a 5-2 win at Anfield took the forward on to five Premier League goals against Everton - a tally bettered only by Steven Gerrard (10 goals) and Robbie Fowler (six).
- Premier League appearances this season: 28
- Premier League minutes played: 706
- Premier League goals: 4
- Premier League assists: 1
No.32 - Joel Matip
After completing the 2018-19 season as the regular partner for Van Dijk in central defence, Matip started six of Liverpool's first seven Premier League fixtures this term and helped them establish their championship credentials by winning every single one, including with a headed opening goal in the home victory over Arsenal. An injury restricted him to just two more league appearances before the campaign was paused, however, and he was then ruled out for the run-in after returning to the starting XI at Everton when football restarted in June.
- Premier League appearances this season: 9
- Premier League minutes played: 704
- Premier League goals: 1
- Premier League clean sheets: 2
No.48 - Curtis Jones
It was a memorable, breakthrough campaign for the Scouse teenager after making his top-flight debut in December away at Bournemouth. Jones enjoyed a weekend he'll never forget in early July. Just a day after signing a new long-term contract, he scored his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa in front of the Kop. The Academy product then became automatically eligible for a winner's medal when he made his fifth league appearance on the night the Reds hoisted the trophy.
- Premier League appearances this season: 6
- Premier League minutes played: 122
- Premier League goals: 1
No.62 - Caoimhin Kelleher
A hugely beneficial season saw Kelleher make four appearances in domestic cup competitions for the Reds. The Irish gloveman was also part of the matchday squad on seven occasions in the Premier League, while offering important understudy support in the goalkeeping ranks across the campaign.
No.66 - Trent Alexander-Arnold
The dream keeps on going for the young Scouser. A Premier League, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup winner at the tender age of 21. Alexander-Arnold raised his game to new levels in 2019-20, winning the Premier League Player of the Month for December. He broke his own record for the most assists by a defender in a single Premier League season with 13 in total this term. The full-back also chipped in with four goals. Those attacking attributes were on full display during a stunning Man of the Match performance away at Leicester City on Boxing Day. But not forgetting his defensive duties, too, Alexander-Arnold appeared in every game for the division's sturdiest backline.
- Premier League appearances this season: 38
- Premier League minutes played: 3,176
- Premier League goals: 4
- Premier League assists: 13
- Premier League clean sheets: 12
No.67 - Harvey Elliott
Elliott now has a winner's medal to go with his record of being the Premier League's youngest ever player, a feat achieved when at Fulham. His first season on Merseyside saw him make eight first-team appearances, two of which were cameos off the bench in the top flight.
- Premier League appearances this season: 2
- Premier League minutes played: 7
No.76 - Neco Williams
A fine year of development warranted six Premier League outings in 2019-20 for 19-year-old Williams. Impressing at full-back, the Academy product received three starting opportunities in the competition.
- Premier League appearances this season: 6
- Premier League minutes played: 230