Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge of Liverpool has been met with a substantial amount of optimism from those on Merseyside.

The Reds have won five of their opening eight Premier League matches, although will be frustrated not to have beaten Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Monday night, which would have been a fifth league victory in a row.

Nevertheless, Klopp’s men sit fourth in the table, just two points adrift of leaders Manchester City, and will look to usurp Pep Guardiola’s side at the top when they host West Brom on Saturday.

No European football should help the Reds in their bid to get back into the Champions League two seasons since their last top four finish, although many fans also reckon that they could end their 26-year wait for the title this season.

Many Liverpool players have started the season well, but there are a few players that are key to this Liverpool side, yet whose value will mainly be felt when they don’t play.

Thus, here are THREE underrated Liverpool stars…

Adam Lallana

There’s no doubt that, until his introduction after an hour, Liverpool missed Adam Lallana against United on Monday.

The England international has started the season brilliantly, and has rightly been recognised for his three goals and three assists.

However, what hasn’t been widely recognised is his importance to this Liverpool team, and the energy and movement he brings to the midfield when he plays.

His absence for an hour on Monday was really felt by Liverpool, who struggled to settle and use possession in the same way as they had done in previous matches.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Much in the same way as Lallana, Wijnaldum’s absence on Monday was felt by the hosts.

His ability to retain possession and move it on quickly was missing from a Liverpool side who were sluggish with the ball against United, and didn’t do enough with it to break down a stubborn visiting backline.

If Wijnaldum had played on Monday, United may not have controlled as much of the game as they did, and Liverpool may have got that important victory.

James Milner

Another player who has really proved his worth to Klopp this season, James Milner deserves enormous credit for his performances in the last few months.

He’s never been rated highly by many as a midfielder, such are his defensive tendencies and lack of goal-scoring threat, yet he has seamlessly slotted into the left-back role this season, and played brilliantly there.

He has always been known for his work-rate and ability to work for the team, but the way he had adapted to the left-back situation, and indeed kept his nerve to score four crucial penalties this season, should be commended.