Season 2013/2014 Awards

I look back at what has been an unforgettable season and hand out awards for player of the season, young player of the season, most improved player of the season and signing of the season. I also pick my goal and game of the season.

Player of the Season: Luis Suarez

I’ve run out of superlatives to describe Luis Suarez. He is simply world class. Only Messi and Ronaldo can claim to be better players than Liverpool’s number seven.

This season he has proven all the doubters wrong and demonstrated his commitment to the club by putting in exceptional performance after exceptional performance. Remarkably, despite missing the first six games of the season through suspension, Suarez came top of the goalscoring charts in 2013/2014, netting a stunning 31 goals, ten more than second placed Daniel Sturridge. If those two can continue their lethal strike partnership next season then Europe’s defences will be quaking in their boots when the SAS come to town.

Suarez is one of the best players in the world right now

Sturridge, Gerrard and Henderson also receive honourable mentions. Sturridge has been in fine goalscoring form, Gerrard has been revitalised in the holding midfield role that Rodgers has created for him and Henderson has won over the supporters with his energetic midfield play. However, I simply cannot look past Luis Suarez for the Player of the Season award.

Young Player of the Season: Raheem Sterling

This was the season that the 19-year old winger came of age. Thriving under the tutorship of Luis Suarez, Sterling has come on leaps and bounds, performing so well that he forced his way into Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Despite a poor start to the season leading to rumours that he would be loaned out in January, Rodgers persevered with Sterling, who became a permanent fixture in the first team during the second half of the season.

His creativity, skill and pace have been wonders to behold and, crucially, his goalscoring record has vastly improved. Sterling netted ten times in 38 games last season, which was far superior to the mere two he managed in 36 matches in 2012/2013.

Sterling is a superb talent with plenty of potential 

21-year old Jon Flanagan has also performed admirably well, earning the nickname ‘the scouse Cafu’, but Sterling pips his teammate to the post to win the young player of the season award thanks to the potential he has to become an attacking superstar for years to come at Anfield.

Most Improved Player of the Season: Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson has become an indispensable part of Liverpool’s midfield this season. Without him, Liverpool struggled, as evidenced by the fact that the Reds threw away their title chances in games for which Henderson was suspended following an injury time sending off in the 3-2 win over City. The £16 million signing from Sunderland was sorely missed against Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

Henderson celebrates scoring at White Hart Lane

His energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the cause are invaluable and have won over many of the supporters who had previously written him off. The player who may well start alongside club teammate Steven Gerrard in midfield for England at the World Cup this summer has come a long way from the player who was offered to Fulham as a makeweight in a proposed deal for Clint Dempsey two years ago.  

Signing of the Season: Simon Mignolet

Let’s face it; Liverpool’s signings last season were largely flops. Loan signings Aly Cissokho and Victor Moses will be quickly shown the door, as will Iago Aspas and Kolo Toure in all likelihood. Luis Alberto may still be one for the future but has been starved of game time and £18 million man Mamadou Sakho hasn’t lived up to his sizeable price tag.

Mignolet beat off fierce competition from Iago Aspas to win the signing of the season award!

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, signed from Sunderland to replace the ageing Pepe Reina, has been the one bright spot. Admittedly he has the occasional howler and has to work on his distribution, but his shot-stopping has been world class from the moment he saved Walters’ spot kick in the last minute of the opening game of the season at home to Stoke City, and undoubtedly earned the Reds a few vital points.

Goal of the Season: Suarez’s first goal vs Norwich City (H)

There were so many to choose from, but this one comes out on top because of Suarez’s sheer audacity in even attempting to find the back of the net from that far out. The Uruguayan’s first of four on an evening when he tortured Norwich City once again was a thing of beauty, stunningly looping over the helpless Ruddy, whose slight positional error was ruthlessly punished by the lethal Suarez.

What a goal!

Game of the Season: Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal

Smashing five past Spurs at bogey ground White Hart Lane and doing the double over Manchester United was fantastic, as was beating Everton 4-0 at Anfield. I’ll also never forget the day the Reds beat Manchester City 3-2, which was when most Kopites really started believing that their team could finally end the long wait for their first Premier League title.

The game of the season, however, was the match that started the remarkable eleven game winning streak that defined Liverpool’s season. Arsenal travelled to Merseyside top of the table. They returned to London with their tail between their legs after being humiliated by the Reds’ attack, which blew away the Gunners’ shell-shocked defence with the strength of a hurricane.

What a game!

After only 20 minutes Liverpool were 4-0 up thanks to goals from Skrtel (2), Sterling and Sturridge. Sterling doubled his tally in the second half before Rodgers’ men took their foot off the gas a little, the match already well over as a contest. Arteta’s spot kick was scant consolation for Arsenal and could do nothing to diminish Liverpool’s joy at a simply unbelievable victory, which will be fondly remembered for years to come.

YNWA