Four Liverpool Players Finalists for FIFPro World XI

As voted on by FIFPro’s 25,000 professional football player members, four of Liverpool’s players were amongst the best in the world last season and are finalists to be named to the FIFA FIFPro World XI, which will be announced on September 24th.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are unsurprisingly amongst 15 forward finalists, though there was no room for Roberto Firmino, while Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren are amongst 20 defender finalists. The World XI will include three forwards and four defenders—along with one goalkeeper and three midfielders.

Previously, Salah was also named as one of the three finalists for FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player of the Year and one of ten finalists for the Puskás award, both awards for which the winners will also be announced at the forthcoming ceremony in London on the 24th.

As one of the three finalists for player of the year—along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, who was recently named the best player in last season’s Champions League—it’s highly likely that Salah’s place in this year’s World XI is secure.

The other three will, in all likelihood, have to make do with being named finalists. Amongst the other English clubs, Manchester United have four (De Gea, Matic, Pogba, Lukaku), City have three (Walker, De Bruyne, Silva), Chelsea have three (Courtois, Hazard, Kante), Spurs have two (Trippier, Kane), and Arsenal have none.

New Everton signing Yerry Mina, a Barcelona player last season, was named a defensive finalist largely due to his play for Colombia. Current Barcelona player Philippe Coutinho, who spent half of last season with the Reds, was named as a midfield finalist.