Liverpool duo named in European XI for August but Bundesliga trio sparkle

With the first month of the 2019/20 campaign now over there have already been some outstanding performances across Europe’s top five leagues as players make lightning fast starts to the new season.

We take a look at the team of the month for August across the major divisions, although Serie A players miss out this time around with three league appearances over the month set as a requirement.

Premier League leaders Liverpool are one of three clubs represented twice, while it’s a familiar Bundesliga trio that have shone brightest thus far.

Goalkeeper: Baptiste Reynet (Toulouse) - 7.61 rating

While the 28-year-old kept clean sheets in home victories over Dijon and Amiens it was ironically an appearance in which he shipped four goals that earned Reynet his highest match rating last month. While Toulouse were powerless to keep champions PSG at bay, their keeper certainly did his best, denying Angel Di Maria from the spot with one of eight saves in Paris - producing 18 in total over four appearances.

Right-back: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich) - 7.59 rating

Having made his long awaited move from Stuttgart over the summer Pavard has slotted straight into Bayern’s back four on the right in a switch that has pushed Joshua Kimmich back into midfield. The France international opened his account for his new club against Mainz as well as registering an assist in a 6-1 win and won all ten of his aerial duels over three appearances.

Centre-back: Nordi Mukiele (RB Leipzig) - 7.58 rating

Having made the move from Montpellier last summer Mukiele started just 14 Bundesliga matches last season but got the nod in the opening two games of this campaign and justified his place in the side. Despite playing 187 of a possible 270 minutes the Frenchman leads the way in Germany’s top-flight for tackles after three games (12) and ranks third for interceptions (nine) too for the only side with nine points from nine in the division.

Centre-back: Joel Matip (Liverpool) - 7.54 rating

Often an unsung hero in the Reds lineup alongside the titan that is Virgil van Dijk, Matip has proven that he won’t give up his place to the returning Joe Gomez without a fight. Having missed the opening day victory over Norwich the Cameroonian has started all three league matches since, scoring in the win against Arsenal and winning 11 of 12 aerial duels thus far.

Left-back: Arthur Masuaku (West Ham) - 7.91 rating

Another player who was left out of his side’s first match of the campaign, Masuaku has taken the left-back spot at West Ham since and his performances suggest that Aaron Cresswell may be left waiting in the wings for some time. The 25-year-old earned a big new contract over the summer and has repaid that faith with three impressive performances, completing 13 tackles and nine of 11 attempted dribbles.

Central midfield: Joan Jordan (Sevilla) - 7.82 rating

A bargain signing from Eibar over the summer, Jordan has already proven more than capable of the step up in quality at Sevilla, scoring the winning goal at Granada and showing real quality in possession too. The 25-year-old completed 90.2% of his passes in August and his delivery into the box was excellent, creating seven chances having found a teammate with seven crosses, whilst completing six of six dribbles to boot.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.15 rating

Pep Guardiola’s side had to be superb to pip Liverpool to the title last season but while they trail the Reds at this early stage, having a fully fit Kevin De Bruyne takes them to an even higher level. The Belgian opened his league account for the season in victory over Brighton and has registered an assist in each of his four appearances to now, totting up five in total already from 16 key passes.

Right midfield: Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) - 8.28 rating

There weren’t many that thought Sancho’s first full season of top-flight football may have been a fluke but the teenager has quashed any such concerns within three matches of the new campaign. Having registered a sensational 14 assists last season the England international has set up a goal in each of his appearances thus far and scored in victories over Augsburg and Koeln, while no Bundesliga player has completed more dribbles (11).

Left midfield: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) - 8.31 rating

Having seen a drawn out transfer saga linking him to Bayern run cold over the summer, Werner decided he wasn’t waiting around and committed his future to Leipzig last month. He’s celebrated his new deal in some style too, scoring in each of the club’s three victories in August, capped by his first ever Bundesliga hat-trick away at Gladbach to take his tally to five already.

Striker: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 8.17 rating

The top rated Premier League performer in August, Firmino continues to shine out from the shadow of the limelight that Mo Salah and Sadio Mane often steal. The Brazilian has two goals and two assists to his name after four appearances having mustered the most shots in England’s top-light last month (17), whilst ranking fifth in the division for dribbles (12).

Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 8.67 rating

Saving the best til last as far as WhoScored.com ratings are concerned, Lewandowski has set his stall out to be named the Bundesliga’s top goalscorer yet again. He may have turned 31 last month but the Poland international is showing no sign of ageing and his predatory instinct in front of goal is as evident as ever. With six goals in three league appearances, coming from 16 shots in total, the hitman will have designs on claiming a European golden boot already.