Mohamed Salah 7.45, Virgil Van Dijk 6.39 - Liverpool average player ratings so far

We've crunched the numbers as the Premier League season reaches the halfway mark

Mo Salah - 7.45: What a player and what a season he's having. The Egyptian is not only scoring regular goals but scoring great goals, such as those against Man City, Watford and recently against Chelsea. Will be sorely missed while at the African Cup of Nations. EPA

Alisson - 6.11: No dramatic, last-minute headers so far and has made a few costly mistakes - notably against Tottenham - but still among the league's best. Reuters

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6.56: As creative as ever with nine assists already, plus a couple of goals including a belter against Newcastle in December. EPA

Virgil van Dijk - 6.39: Is he the player he was before his injury last season? Mostly, yes, and Liverpool have conceded just 18 goals from their first 20 league matches. Getty Images

Joel Matip - 6.60: Has enjoyed regular action and fans buzz when he goes on his dribbles out of defence. Cemented as first choice alongside Van Dijk. EPA

Andrew Robertson - 6.14: Not quite as creative as fellow full-back Alexander-Arnold, but has contributed five assists so far and continues to gallop up and down the left side. Sent off against Tottenham for a wild kick. EPA

Jordan Henderson - 6.28: Remains the heartbeat of the side and has chipped in with a couple of goals. Getty Images

Fabinho - 6.21: Has been in and out of the side so far with Jurgen Klopp unable to call upon a settled midfield. The team noticeably struggle when he is not present. Reuters

Thiago Alcantara - 6.27: Liverpool have won nine of the 11 matches he has appeared in and need the pass-master to stay fit in the second half of the season. Scored a beauty in the Champions League versus Porto. Getty Images

Sadio Mane - 6.45: Endured a nine-game goal drought before opening the scoring at Chelsea this week. Has netted eight in the league and remains a key cog. Will be missed while away at AFCON with Senegal. AP Photo

Roberto Firmino - 6.09: Frustrating season so far, despite a hat-trick against Watford. Injuries and Covid have meant he has been upstaged by Diogo Jota. Will need to step up in the absence of Salah and Mane. AP Photo

Diogo Jota - 6.00: Should we be surprised by his return of 10 league goals so far? Fast and good in the air, he has, at times, been a revelation, though is not the complete package just yet. Getty Images

Kostas Tsimikas - 6.56: The Greek left back has performed ably in Robertson's absence and has become an important squad member. Getty Images

James Milner - 5.54: The old man of the Premier League is still going, but for how much longer? Continues to provide cover in various positions but was given a torrid time by Manchester City's Phil Foden while playing right back. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5.71: His career has stalled in recent times and is nowhere near the England squad as a result. Has failed to nail down a regular spot in midfield and when he does start is often subbed off.

Naby Keita - 6.3: Outstanding in the rout against Manchester United but still hasn't been a midfield mainstay. Only 64 Premier League appearances across four seasons. Linked with a move to Barcelona. EPA

Harvey Elliott - 6.75: It was all going so well for the youngster who shone in midfield before a nasty injury at Leeds. Now closing in on a return and should be a major star of the future.

Joe Gomez - 5.67: Just three appearances and down the pecking order in defence. Wouldn't be short of offers should he move on. EPA

Ibrahima Konate - 6.29: Big, strong and mobile, the new signing has impressed at times. Will do well to dislodge Matip and Van Dijk. EPA

Divock Origi - 7.5: The super sub's time on pitch has been restricted yet again but he's chipped in with a couple of important goals.

Curtis Jones - 5.5: Occasional appearances and will hope to get more action with Keita away at AFCON. Remains a bright prospect. EPA

Caoimhin Kelleher - 7: Has played twice in the league this season and has moved ahead of Adrian as second choice. Did fine in the high-pressure clash with Chelsea. EPA

Neco Williams - 7: Solitary league appearance against Watford. Understudy to Alexander-Arnold unlikely to get a regular game and may benefit from a loan move. AP Photo

Takumi Minamino - 5.4: Another who may need to step up while Salah, Mane and Keita are away. Scored against Arsenal and has been more influential in the League Cup with four goals. Getty Images

Tyler Morton - 5: 19-year-old played a couple of times with Liverpool short in midfield. Didn't look out of place. AP Photo

It's been business as usual for Mohamed Salah, but, at the halfway stage of the Premier League season, doesn't look like it is going to be enough for silverware.

Liverpool find themselves trailing leaders Manchester City by 11 points, albeit with a game in hand. And City have shown little sign that they are going to slip up any time soon.

January provides a major test for the Reds, with key players Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in action at the African Cup of Nations.

That, along with Covid-19 interruptions, will push the squad to the limit.

The National football writer Tony Evans has rated the Liverpool players in every Premier League match so far this season, so check the gallery at the top to see who is challenging Salah as the star man, and how the likes of Diogo Jota and Virgil Van Dijk have performed.

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Chelsea and Liverpool stars selected after thrilling draw: Premier League team of the week

PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK: Goalkeeper: Jose Sa (Wolves) – A terrific injury-time save from Bruno Fernandes secured his clean sheet and Wolves’ first win at Old Trafford since 1980. Getty Images

Centre-back: Dan Burn (Brighton) – The giant exploited Everton’s set-piece frailties to score Brighton’s second goal in a win at Goodison Park that capped a great week for them. Reuters

Centre-back: Romain Saiss (Wolves) – Excelled at both ends, hitting the bar with a free kick and snuffing out Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in Wolves’ historic triumph. Reuters

Centre midfield: Rodri (Manchester City) – Came back from Covid to run 11.5km and get in the Arsenal box to deliver the injury-time decider for City’s 11th straight win. EPA

Centre forward: Manuel Lanzini (West Ham) – The scourge of Crystal Palace has six goals against them now. His first on Saturday was a terrific volley after a glorious touch. AFP