With FC27 set for release next month, Liverpool fans were left far from happy with the player ratings that their favorite stars were given for the new game.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground
Liverpool fans were left frustrated with the EA FC27 player ratings(Image: (Photo by Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images))
The new Premier League season is just around the corner, and with it comes some of those familiar reasons to get excited for another important nine months of action.
Whether it's the feeling of being back at stadiums, the buzz around new signings, or simply watching narratives unfold from week to week, each fan will have their own reason for looking at the new campaign with excitement.
For another sub-section of supporters, there is the annual release of EA Sports' FC game, formerly known as the FIFA franchise, with each year bringing about a new opportunity to hop on and play against friends or rivals online.
FC27, which releases officially next month, will be the latest instalment of the series, which includes the return of the popular 'Ultimate Team' game mode, where players can build a team with cards that they pull from packs or buy on the game's own transfer market system.
Each game brings about some changes, including the heavily anticipated player ratings, as EA reveals the in-game statistics each star will have for the new season ahead.
After many recent years of success, Liverpool fans have enjoyed playing with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk among those who are the best in the game.
The new edition won't have the former with the Reds, however, following his exit, while the latter is among those who received a downgrade in the latest player ratings that have been revealed.
Van Dijk moved from a 90-rated card down to 88, losing three points in pace, two in dribbling, one in defending, and two in physicality.
Virgil van Dijk looks on during Liverpool 2-3 AS Monaco.
Virgil van Dijk looks on during Liverpool 2-3 AS Monaco.(Image: Lewis Storey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Similarly, the likes of Alisson, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Jeremie Frimpong all received a two-point downgrade on their overall card, while Florian Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister got hit hardest by losing three.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike were the biggest winners, earning a plus-three and plus-two upgrade to their respective cards for this season.
The overall changes, however, left Liverpool fans far from happy on social media, with one supporter saying: "Should be ashamed to even post this. Downgraded all of our players heavily because of one offseason."
"Done dirty by EA," another fan said in response to the new ratings. Another supporter claimed: "Not one player in the 90s ouch."
While the ratings were not what fans wanted, the stars could still end up performing well in FC27, when the game drops officially next month.