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Making Sense of Liverpool's Recent SlumpForm or Weakness?
I tried to look into what has caused Liverpool's recent results and/or performances to get a concrete understanding of whether it's just bad form from the Champions or there are issues much larger than just form
1) Impact of not having VVD available
the Impact of VVD on Liverpool defense after he joined is well known. Liverpool were underwhelming at the back, they were conceding less chances but the chances they conceded were mostly big, meaning opposition needed fewer chances to score
the Impact of VVD on Liverpool defense after he joined is well known. Liverpool were underwhelming at the back, they were conceding less chances but the chances they conceded were mostly big, meaning opposition needed fewer chances to score
- Liverpool before VVD (Season 2016/17)
Shots conceded inside Box : 183 (3rd best in PL)
Shots on Target Conceded: 115 (5th best in PL)
Big Chances Conceded: 58 (tied at 9th worst in PL)
It was known by and large that Klopp's system does work since they were conceding...
Shots conceded inside Box : 183 (3rd best in PL)
Shots on Target Conceded: 115 (5th best in PL)
Big Chances Conceded: 58 (tied at 9th worst in PL)
It was known by and large that Klopp's system does work since they were conceding...
... very less chances in quantity, but the quality was lacking at the back as they conceded very high quality chances cause of the Gegenpress and high line defense. It all fell in line beautifully as Liverpool signed VVD.
Now that Liverpool are without VVD again, I wanted to look at their defensive stats since the Everton game where VVD got injured.
Liverpool GW6-GW19
Shots Conceded inside Box: 71 (2nd best)
Shots on Target Conceded: 42 (3rd best)
Big Chances conceded: 26 (7th worst!)
Liverpool GW6-GW19
Shots Conceded inside Box: 71 (2nd best)
Shots on Target Conceded: 42 (3rd best)
Big Chances conceded: 26 (7th worst!)
Although the sample size is relatively smaller than a full season, these stats are telling. Just on the basis of the eye test, they look more open, especially on the counters.
They haven't been conceding too many goals since GW6 (only 9 conceded), they have outperformed their xG conceded by 5.09 (3rd from top in league), which doesn't bode well for their defense in the longer term.
2) Impact of Full Backs this season
TAA and Robertson have had consecutive seasons where they've both managed FPL assists in double digits. This season however, TAA's threat seems to have gone down a cliff, while Robertson looks to be the same, if not better.
TAA and Robertson have had consecutive seasons where they've both managed FPL assists in double digits. This season however, TAA's threat seems to have gone down a cliff, while Robertson looks to be the same, if not better.
TAA (2019/20 vs 2020/21)
(Stats per appearance)
Chances Created: 2.3 - 1.6
Big Chances Created: 0.50 - 0.20
Crosses Attempted: 10.1 - 8.0
xA: 0.30 - 0.10
TAA has seen a significant drop in his chances creation stats, especially in Big Chances created.
(Stats per appearance)
Chances Created: 2.3 - 1.6
Big Chances Created: 0.50 - 0.20
Crosses Attempted: 10.1 - 8.0
xA: 0.30 - 0.10
TAA has seen a significant drop in his chances creation stats, especially in Big Chances created.
Robertson (2019/20 vs 20/21)
(Stats per app)
Chances created: 1.70 - 1.90
Big Chances Created: 0.40 - 0.40
Crosses Attempted: 5.80 - 9.20
xA: 0.20 - 0.20
Robbo's stats however seem to be consistent and he is on course to have another season where he gets double digit assists
(Stats per app)
Chances created: 1.70 - 1.90
Big Chances Created: 0.40 - 0.40
Crosses Attempted: 5.80 - 9.20
xA: 0.20 - 0.20
Robbo's stats however seem to be consistent and he is on course to have another season where he gets double digit assists
3) Salah and Mane misfiring recently
Don't remember the last time Salah had such a dry spell. No goals in last 5 appearances in league, even though he had 13 in the 14 before this spell.
Don't remember the last time Salah had such a dry spell. No goals in last 5 appearances in league, even though he had 13 in the 14 before this spell.
Salah GW1-14 vs Salah GW15-19
(Stats per appearance)
Mins played: 83 vs 78
Big Chances: 0.80 - 0.60
Shots inside the box: 2.60 - 1.80
Shots on Target: 1.90-0.40
Mins per attempt: 23 - 32.7
Chances created: 1.90 - 1.0
Big Chances Created: 0.50 - 0
(Stats per appearance)
Mins played: 83 vs 78
Big Chances: 0.80 - 0.60
Shots inside the box: 2.60 - 1.80
Shots on Target: 1.90-0.40
Mins per attempt: 23 - 32.7
Chances created: 1.90 - 1.0
Big Chances Created: 0.50 - 0
There's a sharp decline in Salah's Shots on target and chances created. He is still getting decent chances though and it seems to be a form thing. Only a matter of time before he gets back in form.
Mane (2019/20 vs 20/21)
(Stats per appearance)
Big Chances: 0.80 - 0.70
Shots inside the box: 1.80 - 2.40
Shots on Target: 1.0 - 1.10
Mins per attempt: 35.80 - 29.10
Chances created: 1.70 - 1.90
Big Chances Created: 0.30 - 0.20
Goal Conversion : 23% - 11%
(Stats per appearance)
Big Chances: 0.80 - 0.70
Shots inside the box: 1.80 - 2.40
Shots on Target: 1.0 - 1.10
Mins per attempt: 35.80 - 29.10
Chances created: 1.70 - 1.90
Big Chances Created: 0.30 - 0.20
Goal Conversion : 23% - 11%
Mane's stats caught me by surprise. He's performing at similar levels as the whole of last season, also getting more shots on target than last season. His Goal Conversion at 11% is the lowest he's seen since he joined Liverpool. Only a matter of time surely.
Even after taking into account the recent slump, Liverpool are still top for Shots inside the box, 3rd for Big Chances Created, Top for most Shots attempted and also top in xG charts (34.51) while City are second (31.60) having played a game less.
Conclusive Opinion
- After reading through the stats, I think Liverpool's slump in attack is just a "Form" thing, they still have very good stats all round and it's only a matter of time when they'll be back to scoring more goals.
- After reading through the stats, I think Liverpool's slump in attack is just a "Form" thing, they still have very good stats all round and it's only a matter of time when they'll be back to scoring more goals.
- However, I do worry for their defense and TAA's form. They are definitely feeling the effects of not having VVD and their troubles with keeping a settled CB partnership after VVD's injury.
- Klopp is a brilliant manager though and the team needs him to pull them out of this. Whether he does it by being a little more conservative, or by signing a CB in the winter window, we shall see. I certainly wouldn't be afraid of playing an attacker vs Liverpool until then
If you made it this far, you deserve a medal! 
Feedback appreciated as always. Open to discussion.
Data taken from @FFScout
The Members area is a thing of beauty. Check it out if you haven't already.
#fpl #FPLCommunity @OfficialFPL
Feedback appreciated as always. Open to discussion.
Data taken from @FFScout
The Members area is a thing of beauty. Check it out if you haven't already.
#fpl #FPLCommunity @OfficialFPL
