2020–21 Liverpool F.C. season explained

Club:Liverpool
Season:2020–21
Chairman:Tom Werner
Manager:Jürgen Klopp
Stadium:Anfield
League:Premier League
League Result:3rd
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Fourth round
Cup2:EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:Fourth round
Cup3:UEFA Champions League
Cup3 Result:Quarter-finals
Cup4:FA Community Shield
Cup4 Result:Runners-up
League Topscorer:
Mohamed Salah (22)
Season Topscorer:
Mohamed Salah (31)
Pattern La1:_liverpool2021H
Pattern B1:_liverpool2021H
Pattern Ra1:_liverpool2021H
Pattern Sh1:_liverpool2021H
Pattern So1:_liverpool2021H
Leftarm1:E00000
Body1:E00000
Rightarm1:E00000
Shorts1:DD0000
Socks1:E00000
Pattern La2:_liverpool2021A
Pattern B2:_liverpool2021A
Pattern Ra2:_liverpool2021A
Pattern Sh2:_liverpool2021A
Pattern So2:_lfc2021a
Leftarm2:39C3CD
Body2:39C3CD
Rightarm2:39C3CD
Shorts2:39C3CD
Socks2:39C3CD
Pattern La3:_liverpool2021T
Pattern B3:_liverpool2021T
Pattern Ra3:_liverpool2021T
Pattern Sh3:_monterrey1213t1
Pattern So3:_liverpool2021t
Leftarm3:000000
Body3:000000
Rightarm3:000000
Shorts3:DD0000
Socks3:000000
Prevseason:2019–20
Nextseason:2021–22

The 2020–21 season was Liverpool Football Club's 129th season in existence and their 59th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. In addition to the domestic league, Liverpool participated in this season's editions of the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the FA Community Shield and the UEFA Champions League. The season covered the period from August 2020 to 30 June 2021. This was the first season since 2013–14 without Dejan Lovren, who departed to Zenit Saint Petersburg and Adam Lallana, who departed to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Season overview

The season was notably difficult, as the majority of games were played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] and all three of the club's senior central defenders sustained long-term injuries.[2] The team's early form was creditable and, on 22 November 2020, they broke the club record for longest unbeaten run at home in the league (which had previously stood at 63) with a 3–0 win over Leicester City.[3] However, the run ended on 21 January 2021 following a 1–0 defeat to Burnley; it had stood at 68, the second-longest unbeaten home run in English top-flight history, behind Chelsea's run of 86 games between March 2004 and October 2008, and the longest under a single manager.[4] A tough period followed as Liverpool suffered a run of six consecutive defeats at Anfield.[5] This ended any chance the team had of retaining the Premier League title as by early March, Liverpool sat 8th in the table with 43 points. The team, however, was fortunately able to reverse their fortunes, winning eight of their final ten league games, which included goalkeeper Alisson scoring a stoppage-time winner against West Bromwich Albion (the first goal ever scored by a Liverpool goalkeeper in the 129-year history of the club),[6] meaning they finished third with 69 points, qualifying for the next season's UEFA Champions League.[7]

First-team squad

As of 23 May 2021[8]

Squad no.PlayerNationalityPosition(s)Date of birthSigned fromAppsGoalsAssists
Goalkeepers
1AlissonGK2021 6, df=yes Roma13011
13AdriánGK2021 6, df=yes West Ham United2400
62Caoimhín KelleherGK2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy900
97Marcelo PitalugaGK2021 6, df=yes Fluminense000
Defenders
4Virgil van Dijk (3rd captain)CB2021 6, df=yes Southampton130136
12Joe GomezCB/RB/LB2021 6, df=yes Charlton Athletic12104
19Ozan KabakCB2021 6, df=yes Schalke 041300
21Kostas TsimikasLB2021 6, df=yes Olympiacos700
26Andrew RobertsonLB2021 6, df=yes Hull City177537
28Ben DaviesCB/LB2021 6, df=yes Preston North End000
32Joël MatipCB2021 6, df=yes Schalke 0412363
46Rhys WilliamsCB2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy1900
47Nathaniel PhillipsCB2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy2111
66Trent Alexander-ArnoldRB2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy1791043
76Neco WilliamsRB2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy2502
Midfielders
3FabinhoDM/RB/CB2021 6, df=yes Monaco12236
5Georginio Wijnaldum (4th captain)CM/DM/AM2021 6, df=yes Newcastle United2372215
6ThiagoCM/DM2021 6, df=yes Bayern Munich3010
7James Milner (vice-captain)CM/DM/LB/RB2021 6, df=yes Manchester City2502640
8Naby KeïtaCM/AM2021 6, df=yes RB Leipzig7674
14Jordan Henderson (captain)CM/DM/CB2021 6, df=yes Sunderland3923049
15Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainCM/AM/RW/LW2021 6, df=yes Arsenal1041411
17Curtis JonesCM/AM2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy4776
23Xherdan ShaqiriRW/LW/AM/CM2021 6, df=yes Stoke City6389
58Ben WoodburnAM/CM/LW/RW2021 6, df=yes LFC Academy1110
Forwards
9Roberto FirminoST/AM2021 6, df=yes 1899 Hoffenheim2928763
10Sadio ManéLW/RW/ST2021 6, df=yes Southampton2189737
11Mohamed SalahRW/LW/ST2021 6, df=yes Roma20312543
20Diogo JotaLW/RW/ST2021 6, df=yes Wolverhampton Wanderers30131
27Divock OrigiST/LW2021 6, df=yes Lille1573511

New contracts

Transfers

Transfers in

Entry datePositionNo.PlayerFrom clubFeeRef.
10 August 2020DF21 Kostas Tsimikas Olympiacos£11,750,000[10]
18 September 2020MF6 Thiago Bayern Munich£20,000,000[11]
19 September 2020FW20 Diogo Jota Wolverhampton Wanderers£41,000,000[12]
8 October 2020GK97 Marcelo Pitaluga Fluminense£1,000,000[13]
1 February 2021DF28 Ben Davies Preston North End£500,000[14]
Total£74,250,000

Transfers out

Exit datePositionNo.PlayerTo clubFeeRef.
27 July 2020GK22 Andy Lonergan Stoke CityReleased[16]
27 July 2020MF20 Adam Lallana Brighton & Hove AlbionReleased[17]
27 July 2020DF6 Dejan Lovren Zenit Saint Petersburg£10,900,000[18]
28 August 2020MF53 Ovie Ejaria Reading£3,000,000[19]
19 September 2020DF51 Ki-Jana Hoever Wolverhampton Wanderers£9,000,000[20]
2 October 2020FW24 Rhian Brewster Sheffield United£18,000,000[21]
16 October 2020FW55 Herbie Kane Barnsley£1,250,000[22]
Total£42,150,000

Loans out

Start dateEnd datePositionNo.PlayerTo clubFeeRef
12 August 20202 January 2021DF— Morgan Boyes Fleetwood TownNone[23] [24]
18 August 202014 January 2021DF— Adam Lewis Amiens SCNone[25] [26]
7 September 2020End of seasonMF54 Sheyi Ojo Cardiff CityNone[27]
14 September 202031 December 2020DF— Tony Gallacher Toronto FCNone[28]
19 September 2020End of seasonFW— Taiwo Awoniyi Union BerlinNone[29]
28 September 2020End of seasonGK22 Loris Karius Union BerlinNone[30]
28 September 2020End of seasonGK73 Kamil Grabara AGFNone[31]
6 October 2020End of seasonDF— Anderson Arroyo SalamancaNone[32]
6 October 2020End of seasonMF16 Marko Grujić Porto£1,000,000[33]
16 October 202018 January 2021MF58 Ben Woodburn BlackpoolNone[34]
16 October 2020End of seasonMF59 Harry Wilson Cardiff City£1,200,000[35]
16 October 2020End of seasonMF67 Harvey Elliott Blackburn RoversNone[36]
5 January 2021End of seasonFW— Liam Millar Charlton AthleticNone[37]
14 January 2021End of seasonDF— Adam Lewis Plymouth ArgyleNone
1 February 2021End of seasonDF72 Sepp van den Berg Preston North EndNone[38]
1 February 2021End of seasonFW18 Takumi Minamino Southampton£500,000[39]
3 February 202130 November 2021GK— Vítězslav Jaroš St Patrick's AthleticNone[40]
Total£2,700,000

Transfer summary

Spending

Summer: £ 73,750,000

Winter: £ 1,500,000

Total: £ 75,250,000

Income

Summer: £ 44,350,000

Winter: £ 500,000

Total: £ 44,850,000

Net Expenditure

Summer: £ 29,400,000

Winter: £ 1,000,000

Total: £ 30,400,000

Pre-season friendlies

On 19 August 2020, Liverpool announced that they would play two friendlies as part of their pre-season training camp in Austria.[41] On 2 September 2020, they announced that they would complete their pre-season campaign with a home game against Blackpool.[42]

Competitions

Premier League

See main article: 2020–21 Premier League.

Matches

The league fixtures were announced on 20 August 2020.[43]

FA Cup

See main article: 2020–21 FA Cup.

Liverpool entered the competition in the third round. The draw was confirmed on 30 November 2020 live on BT Sport.[44] The draw for the fourth and fifth round were made on 11 January 2021, conducted by former Liverpool player Peter Crouch.[45]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup.

Liverpool entered the competition in the third round. The draw was confirmed on 6 September 2020 live on Sky Sports.[46] The fourth round draw was conducted on 17 September 2020, also live on Sky Sports.[47]

FA Community Shield

See main article: 2020 FA Community Shield.

UEFA Champions League

See main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool entered the competition in the group stage.

Group stage

The draw for the group stage was held on 1 October 2020.[48]

Knockout phase

See main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase.

Round of 16

The draw for the round of 16 was held on 14 December 2020.[49]

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 19 March 2021.[50]

Squad statistics

Appearances

Players with no appearances are not included on the list.

No.Pos.Nat.PlayerPremier LeagueFA CupEFL CupChampions LeagueCommunity ShieldTotal
AppsStartsAppsStartsAppsStartsAppsStartsAppsStartsAppsStarts
1GK3333110077114242
3MF3028221087114238
4DF550022001188
5MF3834221098115145
6MF2420210042003023
7MF2611221164113619
8MF10700104210169
9FW3633210093114838
10FW35312100108114841
11FW37342211109115147
12DF76001033111210
13GK330022110066
14MF2120110064002825
15MF13210003000172
17MF2413222255103422
19DF99000044001313
20FW1912002196003019
21DF200011420073
23MF14520115100227
26DF38381100108115048
27FW9220214300176
32DF109000022001211
46DF97222263001914
47DF1715000033002018
62GK221100220055
65MF000000110011
66DF3634110088004543
76DF6311224211149
89DF000000100010
Players who went out on loan or left permanently but made appearances for Liverpool prior to departing
16MF000022000022
18FW9211224210177
24FW000000001010
59MF000011000011
67MF000011000011
Total382210153

Goals

PlayerPremier LeagueFA CupEFL CupChampions LeagueCommunity ShieldTotal
1 FW 11 22306031
2 FW 10 11203016
3 FW 20 9004013
4 FW 9 900009
5MF 17 102104
FW 18 102014
7 MF 5 210003
8 DF 66 200002
9GK 1 100001
DF 4 100001
MF 6 100001
MF 14 100001
MF 15 100001
MF 16 001001
MF 23 001001
DF 26 100001
FW 27 001001
DF 32 100001
DF 47 100001
Own Goals 300104
Total686715197

Assists

Not all goals have an assist.

PlayerPremier LeagueFA CupEFL CupChampions LeagueCommunity ShieldTotal
1FW 9 720009
FW 10 700209
DF 66 700209
4 DF 26 700007
5 FW 11 500106
6 MF 48 210205
7 MF 23 220004
8FW 18 011002
FW 27 001102
DF 32 200002
11MF 7 100001
DF 12 000101
MF 14 100001
MF 15 100001
FW 20 000101
DF 47 100001
MF 67 001001
DF 76 000101

Clean sheets

width=10No.width=150Playerwidth=100Premier Leaguewidth=100FA Cupwidth=100EFL Cupwidth=100Champions Leaguewidth=100Community Shieldwidth=100Total
1 10 0 0 5 0 15
13 1 0 1 1 0 3
62 1 0 0 1 0 2
Total12 0 1 7 0 20

Disciplinary record

No.Pos.NamePremier LeagueFA CupEFL CupChampions LeagueCommunity ShieldTotal
1GK Alisson100000000010
3MF Fabinho601000000070
4DF Virgil van Dijk100000000010
5MF Georginio Wijnaldum100000200030
6MF Thiago400000100050
7MF James Milner300000201060
8MF Naby Keita100000000010
9FW Roberto Firmino200000000020
10FW Sadio Mané301000200060
14MF Jordan Henderson000000200020
17MF Curtis Jones201000100040
18FW Takumi Minamino000010000010
19DF Ozan Kabak300000100040
20FW Diogo Jota200000000020
21DF Kostas Tsimikas000000100010
23MF Xherdan Shaqiri200000000020
26DF Andrew Robertson200000100030
32DF Joël Matip200000000020
47DF Nathaniel Phillips200000100030
59MF Harry Wilson000010000010
62GK Caoimhín Kelleher000000100010
66DF Trent Alexander-Arnold200000200040
76DF Neco Williams100000000010
–Manager Jürgen Klopp100000100020
Total410302018010650

Club awards

End-of-season awards

Liverpool Standard Chartered Player of the Month award

Awarded monthly to the player that was chosen by fans voting on Liverpoolfc.com

MonthPlayer
September Sadio Mané[53]
October Diogo Jota[54]
November Diogo Jota[55]
December Mohamed Salah[56]
January Mohamed Salah[57]
February Mohamed Salah[58]
March Nathaniel Phillips[59]
April Trent Alexander-Arnold[60]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reds Behind Closed Doors 20/21. Liverpool FC. 26 May 2021.
  2. Web site: Jürgen Klopp confirms Joel Matip injury diagnosis. 1 February 2021. Liverpool FC. 26 May 2021.
  3. Web site: Jota strikes again as Liverpool ease to record-breaking win over Leicester. 22 November 2020. The Guardian. 17 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Liverpool 0–1 Burnley highlights. 21 January 2021. Sky Sports. 9 March 2021.
  5. Web site: Lemina strike earns Fulham victory at Liverpool. 7 March 2021. Premier League. 26 May 2021.
  6. Web site: West Bromwich Albion 1–2 Liverpool. 16 May 2021. BBC. 26 May 2021.
  7. Web site: Mané seals third place for Liverpool with double against Crystal Palace. 23 May 2021. The Guardian. 26 May 2021.
  8. Web site: Liverpool First Team. Liverpool F.C.. 16 August 2020.
  9. News: Neco Williams signs new long-term contract with Liverpool F.C.. Liverpool F.C.. 17 August 2020.
  10. Web site: Liverpool complete signing of Kostas Tsimikas . Liverpool F.C. . 10 August 2020.
  11. News: Liverpool FC complete signing of Thiago Alcantara . Liverpool F.C. . 18 September 2020.
  12. News: Liverpool FC seal signing of Diogo Jota on long-term deal . Liverpool F.C. . 19 September 2020.
  13. News: Liverpool FC complete signing of Marcelo Pitaluga . Liverpool F.C. . 8 October 2020.
  14. News: Liverpool FC seal signing of Ben Davies on long-term deal . Liverpool F.C. . 1 February 2021.
  15. News: Liverpool complete loan deal for Ozan Kabak . Liverpool F.C.. 1 February 2021.
  16. News: Potters land Lonergan. Stoke City F.C.. 2 December 2020.
  17. News: Adam Lallana joins Brighton . Liverpool F.C. . 27 July 2020.
  18. News: Dejan Lovren leaves LFC for Zenit St. Petersburg . Liverpool F.C. . 27 July 2020.
  19. News: Ovie Ejaria completes permanent move to Reading . Liverpool F.C. . 28 August 2020.
  20. News: Ki-Jana Hoever completes permanent move to Wolves . Liverpool F.C. . 19 September 2020.
  21. News: Rhian Brewster completes move to Sheffield United . Liverpool F.C. . 2 October 2020.
  22. News: Herbie Kane completes transfer to Barnsley. Liverpool F.C. . 16 October 2020.
  23. Web site: 12 August 2020 . Morgan Boyes: Fleetwood Town sign young Liverpool defender on loan . 15 January 2022 . BBC Sport.
  24. News: Morgan Boyes returns from loan spell at Fleetwood Town . 15 January 2022 . Liverpool F.C. . 2 January 2021.
  25. Web site: Adam Lewis joins Amiens SC on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 18 August 2020 . 15 January 2022.
  26. Web site: Adam Lewis joins Plymouth Argyle on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 14 January 2021 . 15 January 2022.
  27. News: Sheyi Ojo joins Cardiff City on season-long loan . Liverpool F.C.. 7 September 2020.
  28. Web site: Tony Gallacher completes loan switch to Toronto F.C.. liverpoolfc.com. 14 September 2020. 15 January 2022.
  29. News: Taiwo Awoniyi joins Union Berlin on loan . Liverpool F.C.. 19 September 2020.
  30. News: Loris Karius completes loan switch to Union Berlin . Liverpool F.C.. 28 September 2020.
  31. News: Kamil Grabara joins AGF Aarhus on loan for 2020-21 . Liverpool F.C. . 28 September 2020.
  32. Web site: Williams . Sam . Anderson Arroyo joins Salamanca CF UDS on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 15 January 2022.
  33. News: Marko Grujic joins FC Porto on season-long loan . Liverpool F.C. . 6 October 2020.
  34. News: Ben Woodburn completes Blackpool loan move . Liverpool F.C. . 16 October 2020.
  35. Web site: Harry Wilson joins Cardiff City on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 16 October 2020.
  36. Web site: Harvey Elliott joins Blackburn Rovers on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 16 October 2020.
  37. Web site: Liam Millar: Liverpool winger joins Charlton Athletic on loan . BBC Sport . 5 January 2021 . 15 January 2022.
  38. Web site: Sepp van den Berg joins Preston on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 1 February 2021.
  39. Web site: Takumi Minamino joins Southampton on loan . Liverpool F.C. . 2 February 2021.
  40. Web site: Jaros Joins On Loan From Liverpool . St Patrick's Athletic F.C. . 3 February 2021 . 15 January 2022.
  41. Web site: Reds to play friendlies against Stuttgart and Salzburg . Liverpool F.C. . 20 August 2020.
  42. Web site: Liverpool to face Blackpool in pre-season friendly . Liverpool F.C. . 29 May 2021.
  43. News: Premier League 2020/21 fixtures released . 20 August 2020 . Premier League . 20 August 2020.
  44. News: Premier League and Championship Clubs Join Emirates FA Cup After third round Draw . 1 December 2020 . The FA . 30 November 2020.
  45. Web site: The Emirates FA Cup fourth and fifth round draw made . The Football Association . 11 January 2021.
  46. News: Carabao Cup: Round Two and Three draw confirmed . 6 September 2020 . English Football League . 6 September 2020.
  47. Web site: Carabao Cup: Round Four draw confirmed . English Football League. 24 September 2020 . en-gb . 17 September 2020.
  48. Web site: Champions League group stage draw made in Geneva. 1 October 2020. 1 October 2020. UEFA.
  49. News: Champions League round of 16 draw: all you need to know. 14 December 2020. UEFA.com.
  50. News: UEFA Champions League quarter-final and semi-final draws: all you need to know. 19 March 2021. UEFA.com.
  51. News: Mohamed Salah voted Standard Chartered Men's Player of the Season . Liverpool F.C. . 25 May 2021.
  52. News: Shaw . Chris . Alisson Becker wins Liverpool Goal of the Season for 2020-21 . Liverpool F.C. . 2 June 2021.
  53. News: Sadio Mane named Liverpool's September Player of the Month . Liverpool F.C. . 16 October 2020.
  54. Web site: Diogo Jota wins Standard Chartered Player of the Month for October . Liverpool F.C. . 24 November 2020.
  55. Web site: Diogo Jota wins Standard Chartered Player of the Month for November . Liverpool F.C. . 18 December 2020.
  56. Web site: Mohamed Salah named Standard Chartered Player of the Month for December . Liverpool F.C. . 23 January 2021.
  57. Web site: Mohamed Salah named Standard Chartered Player of the Month for January . Liverpool F.C. . 11 February 2021.
  58. Web site: Mohamed Salah named Standard Chartered Player of the Month for February . Liverpool F.C. . 22 March 2021.
  59. Web site: Nat Phillips named Standard Chartered Player of the Month for March . Liverpool F.C. . 1 April 2021.
  60. Web site: Alexander-Arnold named Standard Chartered Player of the Month . Liverpool F.C. . 7 May 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2020–21 Liverpool F.C. season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.