Liverpool players past their prime ft. former UEFA Player of the Year

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Liverpool are now guaranteed to finish the season trophyless after being knocked out of the Champions League at the hands of reigning European and Spanish champions Real Madrid. It has been quite a forgettable season for the Reds who won two cups and were inches away from an unprecedented quadruple last season.

There are several reasons behind the sudden transformation of fortunes for the Merseyside giants. Injuries to key players have been a key reason while a number of top players have looked far from their usual best this season. With so many players underperforming, Jurgen Klopp's job has been incredibly difficult. In this article, we will take a look at three Liverpool who have been past their primes.

Fabinho

While Fabinho is just 29 years of age and should ideally be in his prime, the Brazil international has been absolutely dismal for the Reds in the middle of the park. Defensive midfield is arguably the most important position in modern football, especially under a manager like Jurgen Klopp who believes in front-footed attacking football. Fabinho has been ever-reliable for Liverpool since his move from AS Monaco in 2018 and has been key behind everything they Merseyside giants have achieved over the last few years. However, the defensive midfielder seems to be way past his prime and the Reds must look to either replace or upgrade over him.

Liverpool players past their prime

Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has been a player who has divided opinions in recent years. The Dutchman cemented his position as arguably the best centre-back in the world following his move from Southampton but he has not been the same since suffering an ACL injury following a collision with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in 2020. Van Dijk has been the subject of criticism on a consistent basis this season and it looks like the Dutchman is also done at the highest level. However, aged 31, the former UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award winner can still turn things around.

James Milner

There is no denying the fact that James Milner is a manager's dream but the veteran Englishman is nowhere near good enough for Liverpool anymore. The 37-year-old has been heavily trusted by Jurgen Klopp and hardly lets the manager or the fans down. However, it is high time for the Merseyside giants to look beyond Milner and look to inculcate more youth in their side.