Liverpool’s top 5 most creative players

Liverpool’s rise to second place in the Premier League table has caught many people off guard. Brendan Rodgers has compiled an attack-minded outfit with a blend of youthful exuberance and experience, making them one of the most exciting teams to watch.

Not only has the former Swansea boss introduced an attacking philosophy to Anfield, he’s also turned the Reds into outside contenders for the title in the process.

While the goals of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have played a major role in Liverpool’s lofty league position, the pair have been supported by a cast of fine midfielders. Their run of nine games unbeaten since the turn of the year has seen them catapult up the table and become a real threat in the title race.

Here’s a look a Liverpool’s five most creative players since the turn of the year.

5. Steven Gerrard – 12 Chances Created

The Liverpool captain has been utilised in a deeper role this season as Rodgers has looked to him to occupy the holding position in front of the back four. The 33-year-old has traditionally played in behind the striker in a more advanced position in recent years and his tendency to venture forward is still there.

Although Gerrard hasn’t always looked comfortable in his new role, he is the second most creative players in the Liverpool squad and has created 51 chances in 24 appearances. Since the beginning of January the England captain has three assists to his name and has made nine key passes.

A look at the pitch view of the chances Gerrard has created in his last nine appearances highlights the variety. Just over 33% have come through the middle and in particularly in the final third while more than 66% of his created chances have come down the flanks, thanks in large part to him taking corners and free-kicks from out wide.

Despite his age and the new approach of his manager, Gerrard has underlined just how major a part he still has the ability to play in Rodgers’ Liverpool side.

4. Daniel Sturridge – 13 Chances Created

The England striker has been prolific in front of goal since his return from injury in January, having hit nine goals in eight games. Ultimately, the 24-year-old’s form since the turn of the year is one of the reasons Liverpool find themselves second in the table.

As well as his goals, Sturridge has turned creator at times during his last nine outings and has created a total of 13 chances, including three assists. He wasted no time on his return from eight games out by setting up his strike-partner Suarez within minutes of coming off the bench in a 5-3 victory against Stoke.

The partnership between Sturridge and Suarez is not only one of the most dangerous around due not only to their goals, but also their ability to create chances for each other and their teammates.

3. Jordan Henderson – 14 Chances Created

At one stage the former Sunderland midfielder looked to be on his way out of Anfield along, along with fellow Kenny Daglish flops Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll.

However, Rodgers clearly saw potential in the 23-year-old and he’s since become an integral part of the new-look Liverpool side.

Henderson has featured in every league game for the Reds this season and has created 14 chances over the course of his nine appearances in 2014 to make him the third most creative Liverpool player of the year.

The midfielder looks to be enjoying his new role as a pivotal player in centre of park, with his manager’s emphasis on possession having suited his style of play.

Henderson has a solid average pass accuracy of 86% this season, of which more than 58% have been played forward. He has made 13 key passes in the calendar year, the majority of them having come in the final third around the edge of the opposition penalty area.

The 23-year-old has provided six assists this season, one of which came in his last nine games. He has already bettered his tally of last season, in which he had four assists to his name and his current tally of six is just one fewer than the likes of David Silva and Eden Hazard.

His form this season, particularly since the start of the year, has led to many people having called for him to be taken to the World Cup in the summer and after having been selected for the friendly against Denmark, it looks like Henderson could be Brazil-bound.

2. Philippe Coutinho – 14 Chances Created

The signing of the young Brazilian has been a brilliant bit of business for Liverpool and is surely amongst the best signing Rodgers’ has made since his arrival at Anfield.

Coutinho typifies everything the Reds’ boss is trying to do with his new look squad; he is both skilful and assured in possession, as well as dogged when asked to defend.

The 21-year-old moved to Anfield from Inter Milan last January for £8 million and became an instant hit on Merseyside. He scored three goals in his first 13 appearances and notched up five assists. The Brazilian has failed to maintain that impressive run this season with just four assists in 23 league appearances.

However, three of those four assist have come in the New Year, as the youngster continues to adapt in his first full season in English football.

Perhaps his best game in a Liverpool shirt to date came in their 5-1 rout against Arsenal in February when he made one assist and four key passes to torment the Gunners at Anfield.

The midfielder will be desperate to force his way into the Brazil squad ahead of the World Cup in his home country and Liverpool may see the best of him in the remaining games of the season as he looks to make his mark.

1. Luis Suarez – 23 Chances Created

The Uruguayan has been in sensational form in front of goal this season and tops the Premier League goal scoring charts with 24 in 23 games. Suarez also leads the way in terms of assists with 10 and has been Liverpool’s most creative player this season.

The 27-year-old has provided a total of 23 goalscoring opportunities throughout 2014, which amounts to an average of over two per game.

In fact, half of his 10 assists this season have come during his last nine outings, with both Raheem Sterling and Sturridge having benefited from two assists each. Interestingly, three of his five assists since the turn of came in games where Suarez didn’t score himself, suggesting that he is also willing to turn provider.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of the chances created by Suarez have come in and around the penalty area. More than 34% have come in the opposition box, with 52% having occurred in the middle third of the pitch.

His ability to create goals as well as score makes Suarez one of the coveted strikers in the game at the moment. It’s hard to imagine where Liverpool would be without their star man.