Liverpool’s poor start was compounded with a crushing 4-1 defeat to Napoli last night – but their statistics this season have worryingly shown a huge drop-off.
The Reds have begun the season in worrying form as they’ve struggled both in the league and the Champions League in a disastrous opening month.
All the metrics point towards a huge drop-off across the board, with the stats reflecting exactly what we’re seeing on the pitch.
A combination of injuries, poor transfer planning and mistakes on the pitch have plagued Jurgen Klopp’s men and the stats reflect it.
Liverpool have been terrible ever since Jake Paul started supporting them 😂😂
— ksi (@KSI) September 7, 2022
Stats show Liverpool’s struggles
According to James Pearce, Liverpool have lost their ‘identity’. We know exactly how Liverpool want to play; a high-pressing, high-line aggressive system that doesn’t change no matter who they play.
Perhaps it was said best by Andy Robertson post-match as to what the issue is at the moment: “We were miles too open. It felt like they had an extra man,” admitted Robertson. “You can’t come to a place like this and not be compact. They were by miles the better team.
The Reds have still found ways to create chances but have struggled for consistency across the whole pitch.
Football analyst Sam McGuire claims Liverpool’s xG90 goal difference in the Premier League was +1.64 last season. If you remove the Bournemouth game from the sample, that figure this season is +0.64.
🗣️ "The problems were obvious"
Jurgen Klopp addresses the media after Liverpool were outclassed by a sensational Napoli side in their #UCL opener. 👇 pic.twitter.com/O2HVzZ16WX
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 7, 2022
The statistic is expected goals per 90 minutes from the quality of chances they create. The goal difference is the xG created per 90 minutes minus the xG created against them by opponents – which in this season’s case is a lot.
He explained in simple terms as – ‘Liverpool are creating fewer high-value chances and allowing the opposition to have more’.
What it tells us is that Liverpool are severely underperforming at both ends of the pitch. Creating chances hasn’t been a major issue, but converting them has.
Whereas at the back, the high-line that has helped them dominate games and teams in recent years is beginning to fail them.
