Title favourites Liverpool and Man City dominate Premier League Team of the Month

The first month of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign is done and dusted and Liverpool have emerged as the early league leaders, winning all four of their opening matches in the competition. Manchester City are two points back on their rivals and unsurprisingly both teams dominate the best rated Premier League XI for August.

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) - 7.09 rating

Tottenham were far from their best in August and required some brilliance from Hugo Lloris, particularly against top-six rivals Manchester City. Lloris made eight saves to help Tottenham earn a 2-2 away to City. The France international averaged more saves per game (4.3) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League last month.

Right-back: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) - 7.44 rating

Leicester have taken full advantage of some slow starts from half of the established top-six to secure third spot in the Premier League. There have been a number of standout performers for the Foxes, with Ricardo Pereira chief among them. Only one player has completed more tackles and interceptions combined in the Premier League this season than Pereira (30).

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

Even though Liverpool have not looked at their absolute best in defence this season, only Crystal Palace (two) have conceded fewer goals than Liverpool (three) in the Premier League this season. Virgil van Dijk, who was named the UEFA Player of the Year last week, has once again been colossal for Liverpool. The 28-year-old has only lost five of the 25 aerial duels he has contested and scored one goal in four appearances.

Centre-back: Joel Matip (Liverpool) - 7.58 rating

Joel Matip has actually been more impressive for Liverpool than Van Dijk this season, which emphasises just how good the 28-year-old has been. Matip has usurped Joe Gomez in the pecking order and has one goal in three matches. He, like Van Dijk, has been a monster in the air this season and has an aerial duel success rate of 91.7%.

Left-back: Arthur Masuaku (West Ham) - 7.91 rating

Arthur Masuaku has started three of West Ham’s four Premier League matches this season and is yet to finish on the losing side. He finished August with a WhoScored Man of the Match performance in West Ham’s 2-0 win over Norwich, in which he assisted one of the goals. He averages 4.3 tackles per game and is completing three dribbles per game.

Right wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 7.66 rating

Mohamed Salah has played a direct hand in five goals in four Premier League matches this season to help Liverpool establish an early lead at the top of the table. The 27-year-old was at his best in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Arsenal, often unplayable at times, particularly for David Luiz. Salah netted twice to pick up the WhoScored Man of the Match award.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.15 rating

Kevin De Bruyne is enjoying his best ever start to a league campaign after registering five assists in four matches, as well as scoring once. The 28-year-old has provided both the most assists and registered the most key passes (16) in the Premier League this season. De Bruyne missed the majority of last season through injury and looks determined to make amends this term.

Central midfield: John McGinn (Aston Villa) - 7.55 rating

Many expected Jack Grealish to be Aston Villa's main main this season but John McGinn has emerged as the newly promoted sides' key player in midfielder. McGinn scored Villa's first goal back in the Premier League and finished the month with back-to-back WhoScored Man of the Match awards.

Left wing: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 7.96 rating

Raheem Sterling has hit the ground running for defending champions Manchester City and has raced to five goals in their first four matches. The 24-year-old only failed to score in one of his four appearances and netted a hat-trick in their emphatic 5-0 win away to West Ham.

Striker: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 8.17 rating

Roberto Firmino is the highest WhoScored rated player in the Premier League this season and has played an integral part in Liverpool’s early season form. Mohamed Salah was Liverpool’s match-winner in 2016/17 before Sadio Mane took charge last term. Is this season the year for Firmino to take centre stage? Firmino has scored twice and registered two assists in four appearances this term.

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 8.04 rating

Sergio Aguero has been in electric form in front of goal this season and has played a direct hand in the most goals in the Premier League this season (seven). The 31-year-old has taken an early lead in the race to finish as the league’s top scorer, one ahead of the chasing pack.