Liverpool have enjoyed a fine start to the Premier League season under manager Arne Slot. While many fans were wary about the future following Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Anfield, the new era has began strongly. The Dutchman guided the team to six wins in seven league games and the Reds are up at the top of the table with current champions Manchester City and fellow challengers Arsenal.
Though this was seen as a season of transition for the Merseysiders, the usual star names have put in top performances and put points on the board. This article will look through the statistics from the opening months of the campaign and assess the ways in which Liverpool’s players have shined so far.
Top Goalscorer Charts
It will come as no surprise that Mohamed Salah is in the top five Premier League goalscorers at the start of the campaign. The Egyptian King scored in the three opening games of the season as Liverpool defeated Ipswich Town and Brentford before getting the better of rivals Manchester United. Salah’s fourth goal of the season came from the penalty spot in September’s victory at Wolves.
Many fans are expected to back the forward to be the main scorer for Liverpool via UK betting sites and will find a series of different odds as Salah continues his stunning form in the final third. Taking the time to compare and assess a range of platforms will help you find the site which best matches your preferences before betting on the talisman to find the net.
However, Salah is not number one for goals in this current team with Luis Diaz netting five times. Though he failed to find the net on the opening day at Portman Road, he opened the scoring at home to Brentford before hitting a memorable brace at Old Trafford to ensure the travelling fans had the bragging rights. The Colombian then followed up with a double in the 3-0 triumph against Bournemouth.
Most Assists
When it comes to setting team-mates up, Mohamed Salah is as good at creating goals as he is scoring them and leads the way with four assists so far this season. Forward Diogo Jota has also teed up two strikes while Trent Alexander-Arnold, considered by many to be one of the best passers in the Premier League, has created a single goal too. Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahim Konate have also chipped in with an assist each.
Liverpool showed many top performances and impressive build-up play and creativity under Klopp and are continuing that dominance with a slightly altered style under Slot. The new Reds boss will be determined to put his own stamp on the team while keeping the essence and winning mentality of the team that was created in the years before his arrival.
Tough Tackling
Every top team needs goals and star names but the best sides also possess a solidity and grit required when the time comes to dig in. The Premier League is a tough league and whether playing top or bottom of the table, there are spells when you simply have to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.
Alexis MacAllister is technically excellent in possession but is also a top tackler and has put in 18 challenges this season, the most of any Liverpool player. Wing-back Alexander-Arnold who is also deployed further up the field is next on the list with 17 while midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has recorded 15 tackles and is third. The fact centre-backs Konate and Van Dijk aren’t the main players for winning the ball back points to how the Reds press and win possession at the top end of the pitch.
Defensive Brick Wall
Van Dijk is one of the best defenders on the planet and after seven games has more clean sheets than any other player in the Premier League. Liverpool only conceded two goals – letting one in at Wolves and another in the only defeat of the season at home to Nottingham Forest – and so the Netherlands international has recorded five shutouts.
Graveneberch, Konate and MacAllister have recorded four clean sheets while goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Salah and Szoboszlai have three each. The basis of a strong team in the Premier League is built on strong defensive foundations and the Reds possess quality upfront and at the back.
Building from the Back
Liverpool’s two centre-backs are in the top ten for most passes in the Premier League with Van Dijk fifth with 573 passes and Konate tenth with 468. Slot clearly likes his teams to start from the back and it’s so far working. Gravenberch is ninth with 476 passes which points to the midfielder making him an option for the defence and moving the ball up the pitch. Wing-backs Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson also feature in the top 40, further emphasising how the Reds are setting up each week with a clear identity and plan.
Wrapping Up
While many followers of the Premier League wondered how Liverpool would perform under Arne Slot, the Reds boss has enjoyed a fine start to life in England with Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson all playing a key role in ensuring the team continue to pick up wins at the same level results were achieved under Klopp. Anfield’s best are recording impressive statistics and are likely to be challenging for Europe or even the title right through to May.