Key Stats from Liverpool 2-1 Burnley
Liverpool pulled out a hard-fought, incredibly sticky 2-1 win over Burnley following Ragnar Klavan’s last minute header. But what were the key stats from the Reds’ massive win?
Creative Juices Clogging?
On paper Liverpool’s xG of 1.63 looks solid enough, especially for a big away game against defensively strong Burnley. But 0.93 of that came from Ragnar Klavan’s header at the death, which in turn came from a set piece and resulted in the winning goal. Or in other words, …
Liverpool’s Defence: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
When the 2015-16 season came to an end, there was disappointment for Liverpool fans as the Reds failed to make it into European competition for the following season but it was shadowed by an anticipation for what the summer would bring. Jurgen Klopp is renowned for bringing exciting talent for very little money and when he dug his heels into the Bundesliga this summer, it did raise some excitement around Anfield. Joel Matip, Lloris Karius and Ragnar Klavan have all …
Assessing Liverpool's Attacking Options
Liverpool go into the 2016/17 season with the best attack that they have had in a number of years, with a number of genuine high quality options across all positions.
Although there is much more to any attacking player than two stats, ultimately they are judged on two things: goals and assists. Therefore to gage a better idea of Liverpool’s options this season particular attention has been paid to these figures. To calculate each player’s effectiveness per game a “CpG” …
Jordan Henderson - Keep or Bin?
Jordan Henderson began the season as Liverpool’s new captain. The man to take over the mantle from Steven Gerrard and drive Liverpool on to new heights.
He ended it as an unused substitute in the Europa League final and with big question marks over his future after starting just two more games than 35-year-old Kolo Toure and Christian Benteke across the course of the campaign.
Of course injuries played their part, but it was nonetheless a disappointing season for Henderson, …
Roberto Firmino - The Defensive Machine
In 2013/14, Luis Suarez made 1.1 tackles per game.
In 2015/16, Roberto Firmino has made 2 tackles per game.
Let’s not dilly-dally, nor wander aimlessly around the point. It’s right there, staring at you in the face, the full, gargantuan influence that Roberto Firmino had had on this Liverpool team, even in a season which most have deemed Europa league focused and building for the future. The sheer scope of Firmino’s ability has been on show this season, not merely …
The Three Dortmund Players Liverpool Need to Stop
Borussia Dortmund are up there with the best teams in Europe this season. They're currently only five points behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. That may sound like a big gap but given just how good Bayern have been this season it's some achievement for Dortmund to even be within touching distance as the season enters its final stages.
Dortmund don't have the luxury of spending huge sums of money. They can't compete with the likes of Bayern, Madrid and …
Firmino: The Bobby Dazzler
The story is familiar. Poor kid from South America, family makes sacrifices to help him on his way, makes breakthrough in his home-country before transferring to a middle-of-the-road European club, performs highly in Europe, earns big-money deal to Premier League.
Most of us are familiar with the tale of Luis Suarez’s career journey and ambition, however, this time it is Roberto Firmino’s story we are narrating.
After failing to impress in a trial with first division Sao Paulo he made …
All Aboard The Lovren Bandwagon
Hands up if you were one of the fans who jumped feet first on to the "Lovren is shit" bandwagon? Hands up if you are one of the fans who would be at the front of the bandwagon organising the Lovren is shit chorus? Who could blame you right? For nearly eighteen months of his Liverpool career, Lovren produced so little. His poor performances greatly outweighed his good ones and we all prayed that he would join the ranks of …
Liverpool Squad Analysis, Part Three: The Forwards
Public perception over Liverpool's forward line has changed drastically from the start of the season; Danny Ings and Christian Benteke started fairly well, whilst Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino struggled, as Daniel Sturridge looked on from the sidelines. Fast forward to late October, where Ings had been ruled out for the season, Benteke was misfiring, Origi and Firmino still struggled and Sturridge was still unfit. All the attention was on Klopp bringing in a new striker in the January transfer …
Can or Lucas? Capital One Cup Starting Spot Showdown
With the dangers of Manchester City’s attack and the energy needed in Liverpool’s midfield, who starts in midfield on Sunday will play a pivotal part in Liverpool’s fortunes.
Emre Can is expected to appear in the middle, but calls for Lucas Leiva’s inclusion have increased, with former Red, Neil Mellor, saying the Brazilian should get the nod ahead of Can.
Lucas played at centre-back against Augsburg on Thursday and has gotten a lot of game time recently because of defensive …