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Liverpool – Opta Stats | Where Did It All Go Wrong

Passing Statistics

Next let us take a look at our passing statistics for both periods. You can see from the chart that our passing accuracy (80.35%/80.86%) is almost identical from both periods. As is the amount of passes that go backwards. However there is a significant decrease in the amount of passes which go forward in our last 12 games. Previously we were directing 54% of our passes forwards. However, since the start of the year we are now only directing 46% of our passes forward. This may be an indication that we are losing confidence in our passing, taking the easier shorter option left or right.

Passing Statistics Period Comparison

Furthermore, a lack of movement from our midfield and forward players has narrowed our options to pass into a more advanced zone. As a side note: we are not losing possession more frequently than before, averaging losing possession 172 times per game recently, whereas in the previous 19 games we lost possession on average 164 times per game. So again not much of a difference statistically.

Attacking Statistics

Lastly, let us take a look at some of our attacking statistics and see if there have been any differences this calendar year than in the first 19 games this season. When you take a look at the attached table you can see that our goals per game ratio is hardly worth pointing out the difference is that small, all though over half a season it’s the difference of 4 goals scored. On a whole though it’s been pretty poor for most of the season anyway, and it’s neither increased nor decreased significantly since the start of this poor run of results. What has decreased in the number of shots we are attempting per game, down 3.3 shots per game on the first half of the season. Not hugely significant, but does tell us that again maybe our confidence has taken a hit and also maybe we are not getting into those more attacking positions to shoot.

Attacking Statistics Period Comparison

We certainly have had as much of the possession in the attacking third as before but we just aren’t shooting as much. What has increased however is our shooting accuracy. So far this half of the season we are on target with 45% of our shots compared to 31% previously. So some glimmer of light through the darkness. Lastly, we can see we are now creating 2.4 less chances per game in our last 12 games compared to the earlier 19. 2.4 chances per games over a half a season amounts to 45.6 chances less created over the second half of the season. If our chance conversion rate is hovering around a poorly 9% that equates to 4 less goals. Potentially, and it’s stretching it a bit, it could be the difference between drawing 4 games and winning 4 games, which obviously could be an extra 12 points. But perhaps I’m clutching at straws here! Nevertheless, it’s not a question of having enough possession in the final third of the pitch; we are now completing 5 more extra passes per game in the final third than before. So perhaps the players are lacking confidence now to try something different and are taking the easy option.

Next Page: Conclusions…

SMcCarthy
SMcCarthy
LFC and football. EPLIndex.com writer. iPhone dabbler. Tax advisor. Guitar player. Hendrix & Metallica fan. Husband. Messer. Dad to my best pal Liam.
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