Read on Twitter
NEW with @muradahmed:
With Liverpool on the brink of an historic title, we took a deep dive into their transformation under Klopp both on and off the pitch https://www.ft.com/content/4640e9d7-58e5-47d9-92a1-2ff3bdef51ce
Chart thread follows:
With Liverpool on the brink of an historic title, we took a deep dive into their transformation under Klopp both on and off the pitch https://www.ft.com/content/4640e9d7-58e5-47d9-92a1-2ff3bdef51ce
Chart thread follows:
1) Liverpool’s progression has been remarkable. Here they are compared to all clubs in Europe’s big leagues over 20+ years.
Since Klopp’s arrival in 15-16, they’ve gone from middle of the pack to elite.
Since Klopp’s arrival in 15-16, they’ve gone from middle of the pack to elite.
2) This season they’ve been especially efficient, eschewing blowout victories and instead shutting down matches after taking a narrow lead.
Liverpool have 13 more points this season than a team with their goal difference would typically achieve.
Liverpool have 13 more points this season than a team with their goal difference would typically achieve.
3) We can break the Klopp revolution into two distinct phases:
• First, creating a lethal attack. Over his first three seasons, Klopp added almost one goal per game to Liverpool’s attacking output.
• Then over the last two seasons it was all about defensive solidity.
• First, creating a lethal attack. Over his first three seasons, Klopp added almost one goal per game to Liverpool’s attacking output.
• Then over the last two seasons it was all about defensive solidity.
4) More things to note here
• Benitez’s Liverpool is remembered as being defensively solid. Klopp’s side are just as tight at the back, but with much greater firepower
• Klopp’s front line don’t match Suarez-led attack of ‘13-14, but Rodgers’ side was far too defensively porous
• Benitez’s Liverpool is remembered as being defensively solid. Klopp’s side are just as tight at the back, but with much greater firepower
• Klopp’s front line don’t match Suarez-led attack of ‘13-14, but Rodgers’ side was far too defensively porous
5) Getting into more detail, one of the most notable changes under Klopp has been his tactical changes:
• Central midfield now more for control, less for creation
• Fullbacks stepping up as creators, now contributing to more goalscoring opportunities than the midfield
• Central midfield now more for control, less for creation
• Fullbacks stepping up as creators, now contributing to more goalscoring opportunities than the midfield
6) Indeed, Liverpool’s attacking build-up now favours rapid breaks down the flanks, cutting out the middlemen:
91% of chance creation comes thru fullbacks and the front three. This is a higher % than any other team in the major European leagues has recorded in at least 5 years.
91% of chance creation comes thru fullbacks and the front three. This is a higher % than any other team in the major European leagues has recorded in at least 5 years.
7) And it’s not just rapid open-play moves — Liverpool have also made huge strides in how they deal with set-pieces, both in attack and defence:
• League’s second highest scoring rate from set-pieces
• One of league’s lowest conceding rates
• Man City markedly worse on both
• League’s second highest scoring rate from set-pieces
• One of league’s lowest conceding rates
• Man City markedly worse on both
8) Lastly, Liverpool’s excellence in the transfer market.
Here are fees paid & minutes played by new signings since Klopp came in.
Liverpool’s spending clusters to the right: players who slotted straight into the team & stayed there. Many more transfer "misses" for other sides.
Here are fees paid & minutes played by new signings since Klopp came in.
Liverpool’s spending clusters to the right: players who slotted straight into the team & stayed there. Many more transfer "misses" for other sides.
9) The result: Liverpool pay much less per minute played than other big-spenders.
They may have spent big on Alisson, Van Dijk etc, but every penny has been paid back on the pitch.
City and United have left a lot of their big spending on the bench or off the squad list.
They may have spent big on Alisson, Van Dijk etc, but every penny has been paid back on the pitch.
City and United have left a lot of their big spending on the bench or off the squad list.
(fear not, Covid analysis will resume tomorrow)
