Eight clubs in Premier League Team of the Season despite Liverpool dominance

 

When the Premier League will return, it remains to be seen, as Liverpool fans face an anxious wait over whether they will claim their first top-flight title since 1990 at the expense of defending champions Manchester City. Both teams feature in the WhoScored.com Premier League team of the season so far, with the Reds the best represented side in this XI... 

 

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno (Arsenal) - 6.88 rating 

 

Kicking things off between the sticks is Arsenal shotstopper Bernd Leno. The Gunners may have endured a disappointing season, even with Mikel Arteta's best efforts to steady the ship, but one consistent has been Leno's impressive form in goal. The German ranks second for saves (103) in England's top tier this term, while his seven clean sheets has helped the 28-year-old to a WhoScored rating of 6.88. 

 

Right-back: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) - 7.50 rating 

 

The first of two Leicester representatives, Ricardo Pereira (7.50) edges out Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.30) at right-back in the Premier League team of the season so far. The Portuguese full-back has again been a revelation for the Foxes with his WhoScored rating the fourth best in England's top tier this term. Three goals and two assists is a commendable return for Pereira, who has made more tackles (119) than any other player in the Premier League this term. 

 

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.40 rating 

 

The first of three Liverpool players in this XI, Virgil van Dijk has again exhibited his immense defensive talent with ease at the heart of the Reds backline to ensure the league leaders have conceded fewer goals (21) than any other Premier League side this season. Liverpool have looked to overpower opponents, with the Dutchman vital in that regard having made more accurate passes (2210) than any other Premier League player this term, while four goals scored is also a fine return and it's helped Van Dijk to a WhoScored rating of 7.40. 

 

Centre-back: Harry Maguire (Manchester United) - 7.12 rating 

 

Forming the world's most expensive centre-back partnership, Harry Maguire features alongside Van Dijk at the back in the Premier League team of the season so far as Manchester United's sole representative. United's captain has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.12 in England's top tier with only Jame Tarkowski (81) making more headed clearances than Maguire (80) in the Premier League this term. A 71.6% aerial success rate is also a commendable return for the England international, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'aerial duels', and adding weight to his inclusion in this XI.

 

Left-back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) - 7.12 rating

 

Rounding off the defence is the second Liverpool player in the XI. Andrew Robertson has again excelled from left-back from the Reds, impressing as one of their attacking threats from deep as his one goal and seven assists suggests. 39 key passes from open play is second only to teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold (40) of all Premier League defenders this season and his offensive impact has contributed towards Robertson's WhoScored rating of 7.12. 

 

Right midfield: Adama Traore (Wolves) - 7.61 rating 

 

The first Wolves player to make the grade in this team, dribbling phenom Adama Traore has completed more dribbles (145) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues this season. Importantly is that he has added a vital end product to his game and it has seen the Spaniard chip in with four goals and seven assists. All in all, Traore's fine attacking output his seen him land a WhoScored rating of 7.61, that second in the Premier League this season to... 

 

Eight clubs in Premier League Team of the Season despite Liverpool dominance

 

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.92 rating 

 

...Kevin De Bruyne. The only inclusion in this XI from defending champions Manchester City is their creative machine, who has more assists (16), key passes (96) and clear-cut chances created (23) than any other Premier League player this season. With an additional eight goals and seven man of the match awards - no player has more this term - De Bruyne has done enough in the midfield to return a WhoScored rating of 7.92, that rendering him the Premier League's player of the season. 

 

Central midfield: James Maddison (Leicester) - 7.34 rating 

 

Only Kevin De Bruyne (96) has made more key passes than James Maddison (75) in the Premier League this season as the England international partners his Belgian creative counterpart in the middle of the park. Of those 75 key passes, 38 have come from set-piece situations - no player has created more - while Maddison has six goals and three assists to his name this season, which has contributed towards a WhoScored rating of 7.34. 

 

Left midfield: Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 7.50 rating 

 

Completing the Liverpool trio in this XI, Sadio Mane has earned a WhoScored rating of 7.50 to reflect what has been an excellent season for the Senegalese star. 14 goals and seven assists is a solid return from Mane, while no player has won more WhoScored man of the match awards (7) than the Liverpool ace. While Mohamed Salah has perhaps struggled to match the heights of his exceptional golden boot season, Mane has shouldered the burden with ease to make the team.

 

Striker: Raul Jimenez (Wolves) - 7.29 rating 

 

The second Wolves player to feature is star striker Raul Jimenez, who has again been excellent in front of goal for Nuno Espirito Santo's side. Indeed, the Mexican has 13 goals and six assists to his name and his fine performances in the final third have attracted interest from LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid. Additional returns of 1.8 dribbles and 1.4 key passes highlights Jimenez's fine all-round play in attack and has helped return a WhoScored rating of 7.29. 

 

Striker: Richarlison (Everton) - 7.32 rating 

 

The final piece of this puzzle is Everton striker Richarlison. The Brazilian has been an impressive performer for the Toffees this term, particularly since Carlo Ancelotti took over the reins at Goodison Park, with his 10 goals and three assists enough to garner a WhoScored rating of 7.32. Richarlison has five WhoScored man of the match awards to his name this season, which is a fine return for the youngster and has contributed towards his inclusion in this team.

Eight clubs in Premier League Team of the Season despite Liverpool dominance