Opta Stats

‘SCS’ Suarez-Coutinho-Sturridge | Permutations and combinations

(Please note that the article revolves around Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Coutinho. Whenever I refer a group of players as ‘the trio’ or ‘the three’ I am referring to those three players. ) No matter which part of the world you’re in or what time of the day it is, an hour prior...

Joe Allen | One for the future, as well as right now

Wednesday 4th December 2013 was a great night for Liverpool Football Club and in particular for Luis Suarez. Four wonderful goals from the Uruguayan wizard and a very solid and professional job done by the whole team. Quite rightly, Luis Suarez went home with the Man of the Match award and all the plaudits. However,...

Partnership Comparison: Suárez & Sturridge vs Agüero & Negredo

Disclaimer: The stats used were valid as late as 1st Decemeber 2013 due to this article being written after both the Liverpool and Manchester City games. Following on from my previous article, in which I researched into and compared the Liverpool and Manchester United strike partnerships to see which one was better, I thought I...

Liverpool’s left back issue: Is he the Taylor-Made solution?

Anyone who has watched Liverpool for the past two seasons would agree that Liverpool need a new first choice left back. In fact, if you go back the last 10 years you could put forward an argument that Liverpool’s last top class left back was actually a right back, that player would be Alvaro...

Which Partnership is Better? Suárez & Sturridge vs Rooney & RVP

Disclaimer: The stats used were valid as late as 22nd November 2013 due to this article being written before this weekend's games.  At the top level of football the lone striker is becoming the regular sight, with strike partnerships looking to be a thing of the past. Managers now identify the importance of controlling the...

Everton 3 Liverpool 3 | Match Review & Stats

Pundits have hailed it as the finest Merseyside derby in years; yet the six goal thriller whilst a joy to watch, will have left both Roberto Martinez and Kop boss Brendan Rodgers disappointed they didn't walk away with all three points. Coutinho opened the scoring on six minutes with the ball glancing off the head...

Liverpool Midfield Comparison | Vs MCFC, MUFC, NUFC and NCFC

Following Liverpool's defeat to Arsenal, and with their midfield being the decisive factor between the two sides, the Anfield Index team has put our own midfield under the microscope to see how they compare to our Premier League rivals using statistics from WhoScored. Editors Note: Please note that this is the author's first attempt at using statistics...

Coutinho Vs Oscar | Stats Comparison

At the age of 21, Philippe Coutinho has already won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with Inter Milan, as well as the U20’s World Cup with Brazil. Fellow countryman Oscar (aged 22) has also won the U20’s World Cup as well as the 2013 Confederations Cup, and has also won the Europa League...

The Importance of Being Lucas | Opta Stats Analysis

It may surprise you to hear this, but with Liverpool FC having played 33 games this season, with only 5 games remaining, Lucas Leiva is still Liverpool’s top tackler. With a total of 68 tackles attempted this season, out of only 12 games the Brazilian has featured in, only now has any other LFC...

Liverpool 2 Everton 1 | Going to Wembley Thrice | Opta Stats

April 14th 2012 will be remembered as an excellent day for any Liverpool FC supporter. The day when the neighbours were beaten at Wembley in the first FA Cup semi-final for 2012. It will also be remembered for a very good 2nd half performance from their £50m strike duo Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll....