Expected Distribution - Who Are Liverpool's Creative Sources?
The AI Under Pressure team produced a graph showing what the ratio of expected goals per 90 minutes played and expected assists per 90 is for each player in the squad in the Premier League. Below is Simon Brundish’s tweet with the attached graph (each line on the graph is 1.0 xG+xA p90). The purpose of this article is to attempt to draw some conclusions from it, with the immediate disclaimer of sample size attached.
https://twitter.com/SimonBrundish/status/924370359595479042
Starting logically then, at …
FSG & Why 'Net Spend' is Irrelevant and Misleading
Today, I read a popular article on the Echo website titled 'FSG - how much have Liverpool's owners really invested in players?'.
It's undeniably an interesting read, but one that is misleading - though I do not hold the writer culpable for this. The very nature of the premise 'how much have Liverpool's owners really invested in players' is unfortunately caught up with a great deal of misinformation that stems from the transfer orientated reporting of club business.
The result …
Picking apart Liverpool's lunchtime problem
Liverpool's thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on Saturday left the Red side of Merseyside feeling sick to their stomachs.
One, two, three four and five, City brought the rain - not the scattered showers - after Sadio Mane was sent for an early bath.
For many, it ruined their weekend. Losing at Saturday lunch often see's Match of the Day cancelled, and the Saturday night pints are a drowning of sorrows rather than a celebration.
And then you've …
Liverpool Always One Step Behind Until they Fix Their Shaky Foundations
Ask any Liverpool fan, or any football fan for that matter, about where they want their team to be challenging and they’ll give you the same answer. Naturally, they want to be vying for the title, mounting an assault on the domestic cup and pushing for that all-important Champions League trophy.
In order to do that, you need to have water tight foundations and carry real authority and verve going forward. Liverpool have such prowess in the final third of …
Analysis: Mohamed Salah compared to Sadio Mane
When I look back at the 2016/17 season one of the things many Liverpool fans bemoaned was the lack of a Sadio Mane back-up. When the Senegalese was missing, either due to international duty or injury, the Reds lacked pace and power in the team as well as a real goal threat. With the news breaking that Liverpool are close to signing Mohamed Salah the team at AI Under Pressure decided to look at the stats for both Mohamed Salah and …
Will Reds Come Up Short with Phil In Midfield?
The run-in to the 2016/17 season gave Liverpool fans a tantalizing view of what’s to come with Phil Coutinho’s move into a central midfield position, picking the ball up from the back and ending the careers of several would-be tacklers on his way forward. With 3 goals to go with an assist in the last two games there is a lot for Reds supporters to be excited about.
Coutinho's West Ham highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8On5xZihFg
Quotes from Klopp suggest that Phil will …
Fitness & Depth: Liverpool's Summer Needs
With silly season upon us, every radio host, back page editor and ITK Twitter expert will be theorizing on who Liverpool might be bringing in as the Reds prepare to make their return to the Champions League. Of course with Liverpool supporters there's always the added dimension of Fenway Sports Group. Are you #FSGIN or #FSGOUT?
Are FSG spending enough?
Are they allowing Jurgen Klopp to build a big enough squad?
Do they have enough "ambition?"
Rarely in any of …
LFC Set-Piece Defending Analysis: Making Sense of the Chaos
At the end of the season, for a Liverpool supporter, it is time to look forward to a busy transfer summer and a few months without worrying that your heart might explode in stoppage time. But it is also time to look back at the aspects of the game when the team excelled; and those that were the biggest hurdle to a truly successful season. Getting top 4 is a good stepping stone but Liverpool Football Club should always aim …
How Has James Milner Really Done at Left-Back?
At the start of the week I penned an article discussing the Liverpool players in the running for the club’s Player of the Year award.
I chose five - Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson - and gave honourable mentions to Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner.
The reaction to Milner’s inclusion brought the most divisive response of the lot, and it perfectly sums up why the 31-year-old will forever split opinion. He has always been …
Liverpool's Nuclear Attack: Stats Analysis
*The stats in the article are gathered manually from Squawka. Minutes include stoppage time. Offensive, Defensive and Net rating are the totals per 100 minutes.
Over the last month I have tried to analyze the different defensive and midfield lineups used by Jurgen Klopp and how well they have done. Finally we get to the area of the field for which the Liverpool supporters should have the fewest complaints - attack. After 32 matches Liverpool are the highest scoring team in the …