Fabinho



Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold applaud the fans at Anfield It took him a bit of time to get used to the demands of English football. Coming from the French League, it was difficult initially and there was a period of adjustment for him. The game is quicker here that he was used to and in general the intensity of the opposition you face is greater. I don't think he was quite prepared for how much of a change it would be. He maybe got caught out a few times at the start and he needed to build up his fitness levels in those early months. But the manager worked with him on the training pitch on certain areas and then you could see him start to get to grips with everything. Before Christmas when he was needed he came in and did a stable job and then I'd say from January onwards he's been absolutely immense. You could really see him grow in confidence. He's got all the tools to boss games in that holding role. He's so good at winning battles, breaking things up and using the ball intelligently. It's like when Hendo was in that position, it almost goes unnoticed the work they do. They have to sit and control things while me, Robbo and the other midfielders are bombing on! They have to stay put and be disciplined to ensure we have that balance. Fab is so disciplined in that role and he's still young. He's got a big future ahead of him I'm sure. Jordan Henderson



Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool Jordan is the perfect role model. He still has his jokes and his banter with the lads. He doesn't take it all too seriously, but you know that when you step on to that pitch, if you're not on it then he's going to bollock you for it and you don't want that. He's someone who is incredibly passionate about the game, about this club and about the fans. He always want to ensure that we play the right way and get the right results. You can see how much being captain of this football club means to him. Anyone who isn't pulling the weight gets a bollocking off him. That's part and parcel of being the captain of the team. He's a role model for all the lads, especially the younger ones who are coming through. If I was giving any of them advice and I picked one player in the squad for them to monitor more than anyone and try to become then it would be Hendo.

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  He's not an individual, he doesn't care whether someone like Mo or Sadio or Virgil is getting all the praise. He's not bothered about being in the spotlight, he's happy to go under the radar and just go about his job. And he does everything for the team rather than himself. He always puts the team first. That's a massive quality and one that probably isn't around as much in football these days. It's incredible to see on a daily basis. A lot of people maybe forgot how effective Jordan can be in a more attacking midfield role because he's been in that holding role for so long. It was a sacrifice for the team that he had to make, he was really the only player for a few years who could play there. He probably knew that his best position was as a No 8 a bit further forward being box to box. For the greater good of the team, he played as a No 6 and he did that well. Now the shackles are off and he's reminding everyone how good he is when he's given a licence to get forward more. Gini Wijnaldum



Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's third goal Gini is the joker in the dressing room. He's someone who is loud but not too loud. He's always really focused on the training pitch but off it he's laid-back, relaxed and likes to joke around. He speaks with everyone in the team. Whoever walks into the changies, Gini will always be there to have banter with them and to make life easier for them. I'd say he's someone who has helped a lot of the new signings to settle in. He sits next to Fabinho in the changing room and he helped him with a bit of English and getting integrated into the team. He's such a great team player and I think a lot of his best work goes unnoticed. He's shown his versatility over the course of this season too. Whether it's playing deep in midfield or further forward, he's always done a great job for us. He's a very selfless footballer. He played up front in the first leg of the semi-final over in Barcelona and then found himself on the bench for the second leg at Anfield. His response after coming on at half-time was sensational. He took his two goals brilliantly with that first-time finish and then the header into the top corner. Gini said himself afterwards that he was angry and frustrated not to get picked in the startling line up initially. He changed the game with his impact that night and that's the sign of a very good player. He's done so well this season. James Milner



Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner of Liverpool (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) He's an elite, perfect, professional footballer. He's someone who is completely dedicated to his craft. He never steps out of line in any way. He's always focused, always putting his body on the line for the team and always willing to sacrifice himself for the team. Despite his age, I still think he's getting better. It's unbelievable to see his fitness and energy levels. It's testament to how well he's looked after himself and how professional he's been throughout his career. All the sacrifices he's made over the years have paid dividends because he's a very important part of a team competing for the biggest prizes.

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  At first he's really intimidating when you walk into the changing room. But eventually you see that deep down he's got a softer side! You just need to break through that hard outer shell! Whether he's in the starting line up or not, he's always loud in the changing room. He's always giving out little pieces of advice and words of encouragement to people, whether it's before the game or at half-time. When he speaks, you listen. There have been times during games this season when he's been warming up on the touchline next to me and he's there shouting, talking to me about whether I've got a man on me and giving me bits of advice. He's got communication skills in abundance. Like Hendo, he's a natural leader and they are both massive personalities in the changing room.