Analysis: Is the Liverpool press failing?
Liverpool's success since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp has been built around the press. Initially, it was full-throttle, relentless and tiring to watch. But as the team evolved, so did the press. Their approach was more meticulous, their approach was more intelligent and they seemed to take a more measured approach to it all.
It made sense. The Reds weren't having to press as often because they now dominated the ball. However, as soon as there was a turnover they'd …
Liverpool Press Makes Spanish Whine
Liverpool retained top spot with a dominant 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield last Saturday.
Goals from Joel Matip and a Mohamed Salah brace were enough to wrap up the three points for the Reds, despite Lucas Torreira pulling a goal back for the Gunners in the 83rd minute.
A prominent feature of the victory was the efficient, choreographed and intense pressing of Jurgen Klopp's team.
One player, in particular, who felt the full brunt of the European Champions claustrophobia-inducing …
Ox Recovery Takes Another Positive Step
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain's recovery from the major knee ligaments injury he suffered last season took another positive turn last Saturday.
The midfielder, making his second start of the season, produced a thoroughly efficient off the ball display. Ox achieved a match-high 14 possession wins via pressing against the club whose academy system he cut his footballing teeth in.
That is according to stats collected on Anfield Index Pro's Under Pressure Podcast.
The ex-Arsenal star's 14 possession wins is the joint …
Spurs 1 Liverpool 1 - Pressing Stats Analysis
Liverpool's third Premier League game of the season ended in a frustrating draw as the Reds rued missed chances whilst being on top in the first half and bemoaned poor defending once again which cost them the three points at White Hart Lane.
As always the Anfield Index Under Pressure team analysed the game covering at on-ball and off-ball statistics. They discussed the good and the bad from the game as well as the Daniel Sturridge predicament too. You can listen …
Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4 - Pressing Stats Analysis
Liverpool opened up the new season with an impressive victory at the Emirates Stadium beating Arsenal 4-3. Liverpool went behind after half an hour but provided more evidence that Jurgen Klopp is turning around this Liverpool side as they fought back to lead 4-1. Arsenal mounted a mini-comeback but it wasn't to be as Liverpool recorded a rare win against Arsenal away from home.
Here at the Anfield Index Channel we analyse each game with on-ball Opta stats, that available …
Illustrating Liverpool's Pressing in the last three games
We've been collecting Pressing Stats since 2013 on Anfield Index and after watching Liverpool's last three games and then collecting the pressing stats it's safe to say that they were a mixed bag! There were some surprising performances - many will be shocked to hear that Joe Allen was key in pressing in all three games and also Ojo against Bournemouth was simple fantastic. Ojo is showing signs of a raw talent that Jurgen Klopp could hone into something special.
The …
Illustrating Liverpool's Pressing vs Tottenham
We've been collecting Pressing Stats since 2013 on Anfield Index and after watching Liverpool draw with Spurs at Anfield I expected a really rough time when manually collecting these pressing stats. I wasn't wrong as Liverpool pressed the Londoners 239 times which is the second highest ever collected on AnfieldIndex. Whilst Liverpool will always miss Roberto Firmino in terms of his goals and assists output he is also the best this season at pressing the ball. In his absence it was Adam …
Illustrating Liverpool's Pressing vs Southampton
We've been collecting Pressing Stats since 2013 on Anfield Index and after watching Southampton beat Liverpool at St Mary's I expected an easier time when manually collecting these pressing stats. It was a close run thing Liverpool pressed more than they did against Crystal Palace but Southampton had much more of the ball than Palace did and Liverpool pressed the ball every 2.84 passes that Southampton attempted - that's the worst it's been since the loss at Watford. Whilst Liverpool will always …
Illustrating Liverpool's Pressing Vs Man City & Crystal Palace
We've been collecting Pressing Stats since 2013 on Anfield Index and after watching Manchester City get demolished last Wednesday at Anfield I expected a torrid time when manually collecting these pressing stats. My hunch was pretty much spot on against Manchester City, Liverpool's pressing effort was one of the highest of all time as they pressed the ball every 1.95 times Manchester City attempted a pass. Against Aston Villa Liverpool pressed the ball every 1.94 times the Villains passed the ball, so a very similar amount …
Illustrating Liverpool's Pressing Vs Sunderland
We've been collecting Pressing Stats since 2013 on Anfield Index and Liverpool's performance was a recording breaking one according to the numbers we collect! You can have a listen to the full analysis of the pressing stats on the podcast embedded below. There are also supporting heat map/pressing map combinations below so that you can understand what we are talking about in the podcast.
You can have a listen to the podcast via the embed option below or downloading via …