Joe Allen
Allen was brought to
Anfield on 10th August 2012 by Brendan Rodgers, who he had previously worked with at Swansea. The Welshman started the campaign well,
seemingly carrying Liverpool, as he was voted Player of the Month for August.
However, Allen’s form
began to dip, as he struggled to find a balance alongside Steven Gerrard in the
reds’ midfield. It eventually emerged that a shoulder injury had been hampering
Allen through the middle of season and he would undergo surgery in March 2013.
If he returns refreshed
and can recapture his early form for Liverpool, the reds have an accomplished
midfielder on their hands.
Appearances: 35
Goals: 2
Assists: 0
Chances created (PL): 21
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My season rating: 7
Oussama Assaidi
Arriving at Anfield in the
summer of 2012 after a successful campaign in Holland for Heerenveen (where he
bagged 10 goals in 29 appearances), Liverpool fans were excited to see what
Oussama Assaidi had to offer.
The Moroccan, though, has
failed to secure a regular spot in the reds’ side in 2012/13 – appearing in
just 12 games. Despite seemingly possessing an exciting burst of pace and a
trick or two, Brendan Rodgers looks to be unconvinced by the winger. Assaidi
could be sold this summer if a reasonable offer is made.
Appearances: 12
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Chances created (PL): 0
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My season rating: 6
Philippe Coutinho
It’s fair to say Philippe
Coutinho has surpassed expectations since arriving at Anfield in January 2013.
Having started just 12 Premier League games at the end of the 2012/13 season
for Liverpool, the Brazilian attacking-midfielder bagged seven assists and
three goals.
Coutinho looks to have
provided the reds with something they have been without for a while – flair and
creativity from midfield. The number-10 is very much in the mould of fellow
Premier League technicians like Juan Mata, David Silva and Santi Cazorla.
Should Coutinho continue
to develop he is sure to be a real bargain for Liverpool at £8.5m.
Appearances: 12
Goals: 3
Assists: 7
Chances created (PL): 20
-------------------------------
My season rating: 8
Stewart Downing
After a sluggish first
season on Merseyside, Stewart Downing has turned things around somewhat in
2012/13.
The wide player has been
deployed on the right for the reds, as an inverted winger, by manager Brendan
Rodgers. This has seen him more involved in the opponents’ final third –
leading to a noticeably more healthy goals tally this campaign.
Downing’s increased
conviction in running at opposing defenders has been a major factor in his
improvement, and after being told he is in his manager’s plans for next season,
the winger could be a useful squad member.
Appearances: 44
Goals: 5
Assists: 5
Chances created (PL): 66
-------------------------------
My season rating: 8
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool’s captain began
the season slowly, perhaps due to a sapping European Championship campaign for
England in the summer of 2012. Gerrard’s poor form prior to Christmas led to
calls from sections of supporters for the 32-year-old, and previous Anfield
hero, to be dropped from the team.
However, in the new year Gerrard’s
performances started to improve, significantly coinciding with the return of
Lucas Leiva from injury. The Brazilian’s presence in the reds’ midfield added
necessary security and steel, allowing ‘captain fantastic’ to get forward with
more freedom.
Gerrard’s attacking
influence in 2013 was underlined by the fact he created 93 chances for
teammates in the Premier League.
Appearances: 45
Goals: 10
Assists: 12
Chances created (PL): 93
-------------------------------
My season rating: 9
Jordan Henderson
Henderson was arguably
Liverpool’s most improved player in 2012/13 - the English midfielder seemed to
grow in stature and confidence as the campaign went on.
Making 43 appearances for
the reds in 2012/13 – third most behind Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing –
Henderson seems to be a favourite of Brendan Rodgers, due to his industry,
versatility and reliability.
Should the
England-Under-21-captain continue to develop, he could be a fixture in
Liverpool’s midfield for years to come.
Appearances: 43
Goals: 6
Assists: 3
Chances created (PL): 33
-------------------------------
My season rating: 8
Lucas Leiva
Lucas was withdrawn in the
fifth minute of Liverpool’s second Premier League game in 2012/13, after a
premature return from his long-term knee injury. The Brazilian midfielder was
then out of action until 1st December, when he came back into the
side at home to Southampton.
Despite restoring some
much-needed balance to the reds’ midfield, Lucas struggled to regain the form
he showed before his succession of injuries. His return did, however, improve
the team’s results – supporting the opinion of many fans that Lucas will be
pivotal to any success for Liverpool in the future.
The reds’ dip in
performances when they were without the Brazilian, though, does suggest that
Brendan Rodgers may look to recruit in his position in the summer.
Appearances: 30
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Chances created (PL): 16
-------------------------------
My season rating: 6
Jonjo Shelvey
Jonjo Shelvey perhaps didn’t
reach the level he, or Liverpool fans, would have liked him to in 2012/13.
After an impressive start
to the season – including a brace away at Young Boys in a Europa League tie –
the attacking midfielder struggled to maintain his form. Manager, Brendan
Rodgers, appeared to lose some of his early faith in Shelvey as he slipped down
the pecking order.
A spell in Liverpool’s
Under-21 team seemingly restored some confidence to Shelvey, and he will be
hoping his dominant displays in the youth team caught Rodgers’ eye. The
midfielders’ stature and physicality make it easy to forget he is just 21 years
old, and it’s clear he has more to offer.
Appearances: 31
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
Chances created (PL): 14
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My season rating: 6
Raheem Sterling
At just 17 years old, Raheem
Sterling was thrust into the Liverpool first-team by Brendan Rodgers at the
start of 2012/13, due to a lack of senior attacking options in the reds’ squad.
The exciting winger made an immediate impression, giving opposing full-backs
nightmares with his soaring pace.
Sterling’s impressive form
even prompted England manager, Roy Hodgson, to hand the winger his first
international appearance on 14th November 2012.
With Brendan Rodgers keen
to shelter Sterling from what can be an unforgiving media whirlwind for such a
young footballer, he featured less frequently for Liverpool in 2013. The
arrival of players like Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho also contributed
to Sterling’s spell out of the team, as well as a combination of injuries and
unwelcome distractions away from the pitch.
Sterling, though, looks an
electrifying talent and will return to his managers’ plans next season with a
crucial year of Premier League already under his belt.
Appearances: 36
Goals: 2
Assists: 5
Chances created (PL): 37
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My season rating: 8
Suso
Similarly to Raheem
Sterling, Suso was used frequently in the early part of 2012/13. After a couple
of glittering seasons at youth level for Liverpool, reds’ fans were desperate
for the tricky Spaniard to get his opportunity in the first-team.
Brendan Rodgers duly
answered their calls, introducing Suso from the bench for his Premier League
debut against Manchester United in September 2012. The attacking midfielder’s
quick feet and vision were instantly noticeable and he went on to earn eight
starts in the league for Liverpool in the campaign.
The reds will be keen to
ensure Suso’s progress is not stunted next season due to the arrival of players
in his position, and a loan could be a possibility for the 19-year-old.
Appearances: 20
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Chances created (PL): 8
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My season rating: 7
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