Why Liverpool could have five players in Premier League team of the year | OneFootball

Liverpool Players Make Strong Case for Team of the Year Honours

Standouts emerge from a season of relentless excellence

As the final echoes of pyro fade into Anfield’s red mist, the conversation turns inevitably from celebration to recognition. On The Media Matters Podcast from Anfield Index, Dave Davis and journalist Lewis Steele picked apart which Liverpool players might earn their place in the Premier League’s team of the year.

Steele, who has covered every match this season, was unequivocal on certain names. “Salah and Van Dijk definitely in there,” he declared. “I think you could probably say the same about Gravenberch just because he’s been so good. He’s played, he’s started every game.”

Photo: IMAGO

In a campaign defined by tactical sharpness and emotional intensity, it is no surprise that multiple Liverpool players are in contention. Steele didn’t hesitate to put forward a fourth name: “I would argue that Mac Allister should be in there.”

Photo IMAGO

Praise earned the hard way

Recognition, however, is not about sentiment. It’s about contribution. Steele explained his reasoning with methodical fairness: “I basically try not to give a 10 because I always think that means they can’t get any better… so I gave Salah and Van Dijk a 9.5.”

There was room too for measured praise. “Alisson has bailed them out lots of times,” he said. “Gravenberch has been absolutely outstanding, Mac Allister the same, Konaté…” It was a list as impressive for its depth as for its breadth.

Photo: IMAGO

Steele was candid about those who may just miss out. “I can’t see Robertson getting in… Diaz or Gakpo just because they’ve been a bit inconsistent.” But the list of credible candidates from Liverpool speaks volumes about a side that didn’t stumble into the title—it marched towards it.

Realistic ambitions, deserving candidates

The podcast offered something not often found in official shortlists—context. Take Steele’s assessment of Darwin Núñez: “Yes, he’s been quite bad, but without his goals at Brentford… I started to truly think, yeah, these are champions in the making.”

Even marginal cases were dissected with clarity. “Endo got a good mark because it’s all relative really. He’s come on and seen out games,” Steele noted. The narrative wasn’t about big names but about players doing their job at critical moments.

Slot’s fingerprints on every nomination

Underlying all the player praise was an acknowledgement of the structure behind the success. “Slot should win manager of the season,” said Steele, noting contributions from other bosses but giving the edge to Liverpool’s relentless evolution under the Dutchman.

Photo: IMAGO

As Davis summarised, “I think Liverpool should have at least four, maybe five in the team really.” For once, this isn’t partisan hype—it’s grounded in the work, the data, the output.

In a season where narratives have often overtaken nuance, The Media Matters Podcast offered a grounded, detailed argument for why so many of these Liverpool players have earned their place among the league’s elite.