Premier League Mid-Term Report: Three Liverpool Players In Best XI

Author:
Robert Summerscales
Publish date:
Dec 28, 2023 8:35 PM EST

The 2023/24 season has reached the halfway point with 16 of the 20 teams having now played 19 of their 38 fixtures.

Liverpool top the table with 42 points having lost just once so far - in a crazy game at Tottenham in September when Jurgen Klopp's side received two red cards and also had a perfectly good goal disallowed by the mother of all VAR blunders.

At the other end of the table, the three promoted teams currently occupy the relegation places.

Everton sit just above the drop zone but would be as high as 10th were it not for a record-breaking 10-point penalty for breaching the Premier League's financial rules.

As the season is halfway through, we have compiled a brief Premier League mid-term report below.

Best Player

Mo Salah

Salah has started every game for Liverpool and has returned more goals and assists combined than any other player in the league.

The 31-year-old has scored 12 times and produced seven assists - all while playing as a right winger.

Liverpool could be without Salah for four EPL matches in January and February due to his likely involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations. He will be missed.

Mo Salah pictured celebrating after scoring the 151st goal of his Premier League career during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal in December 2023 — Mo Salah pictured celebrating after scoring his 12th Premier League goal of the season during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend
IMAGO/Propaganda Photo/David Rawcliffe

Must Do Better

Mauricio Pochettino & Erik Ten Hag

Just two Premier League managers have been sacked during the first half of the season - Paul Heckingbottom by Sheffield United, followed by Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest.

But Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag can count themselves very lucky to still be employed following awful starts with Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

Chelsea have lost more games than they have won and sit 10th in the table with just 25 points.

United are six points better off and occupy seventh place but have a dismal goal difference of -4.

If things do not improve significantly in the second half of the season, do not be surprised if one or both of these managers find themselves out of work.

Managers Erik ten Hag (right) and Mauricio Pochettino pictured shaking hands ahead of a Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea in December 2023 — Managers Erik ten Hag (right) and Mauricio Pochettino pictured shaking hands ahead of a Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea earlier this month
IMAGO/Colorsport

Dream XI

Most Tottenham fans had never heard of Guglielmo Vicario before his arrival from Empoli in June but he has arguably been the signing of the season so far.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has played a handful of matches in midfield but he is still the best right-back in the country, while Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk has been a rock at the heart of the tightest defense in the Premier League.

Ezri Konsa must be in contention for a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad after starring at center-back for Aston Villa, who sit third in the table after 19 games.

No Premier League left-back has more goal contributions this season than Destiny Udogie, who has scored one and assisted two in a excellent start to his Spurs career.

Rodri has missed just three of Manchester City's first 18 games. City have lost all three of those matches, but are unbeaten in the 15 he has featured in.

Aston Villa have been this season's overachievers and Douglas Luiz has played a significant role in that. Keeping him, amid reported interest from Arsenal, must be a top priority for Unai Emery.

As already stated, Mo Salah has been the best player in the Premier League so far this season.

West Ham have converted a higher percentage of their chances than every other EPL club apart from Aston Villa. That is thanks largely to the lethal finishing of Jarrod Bowen. In addition to his 11 goals in 18 games, Bowen has chipped in with two assists.

Son Heung-min has made a very impressive start to life without Harry Kane. After being given the Spurs captaincy, Son - who has been used as a left winger as well as a central striker by Ange Postecoglou - has produced 11 goals and five assists in 19 starts.

Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins are both having superb seasons, but Erling Haaland is still the Premier League's leading scorer with 14 goals.