FeatureA statistical analysis of Liverpool's Premier League season so far
Take a look at a statistical breakdown of Liverpool's 2021-22 Premier League season so far.
LFCTV's Review Show took a deep dive, with the help of Opta's database, to highlight a number of trends from the Reds' top-flight campaign through 29 fixtures.
Chipping in
Liverpool have scored the most goals in the Premier League so far this season. Reaching the figure of 75 has required contributions from every position.
So far, 17 different players have been on the scoresheet for the Reds in the top flight this season – equalling the club record set in 2019-20, 2015-16 and 1911-12.
Those yet to score in the Premier League this term include Harvey Elliott, James Milner, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
Review Show: Liverpool's statistics from the season so far
Creating and converting big chances
Liverpool also lead the league in two more categories from an attacking perspective.
Jürgen Klopp's men have produced a total of 555 shots so far – 19 more than Manchester City in second on the list and 127 more than third-placed Arsenal.
From those 555 shots, 113 are categorised by Opta as 'big chances' – a league high. It means 20.4 per cent of Liverpool's total shots have resulted in a big chance.
The Reds have scored from 60 of those big chances – a conversion rate of 53.1 per cent. West Ham United appear second in that particular ranking, scoring 31 goals from their 60 big chances (51.7 per cent).
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A flexible right side
Liverpool's right side have enjoyed greater tactical freedom this season.
Klopp labelled it a 'really flexible triangle' at the start of the campaign, while Trent Alexander-Arnold said: "It's just a natural sense of where to be at the right time."
Following his attacking instinct, Alexander-Arnold has 11 Premier League assists in 2021-22 so far and a pair of goals.
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Linking up with Mohamed Salah so often on that right wing, the pair have combined to create 20 chances – the team's highest combination.
Liverpool's right-sided central midfielder plays a huge part in heightening the threat down that flank, too.
Jordan Henderson and Salah have played 348 passes to each other, creating 10 chances in that time.
Henderson's selfless nature also allows his teammates to flourish, with the captain producing 407 total runs – fourth-most in the Premier League among central midfielders.
A high defensive line
No team in the Premier League has kept more clean sheets than Liverpool's 17.
And one way in which the Reds have managed to hold such a record is the high starting position of the backline.
The average distance Liverpool's sequences of play begin is 45.6 metres from their own goalline – another Premier League high. City's is 45.2 metres and Brighton & Hove Albion's is 43.9 metres.
That high line has allowed Liverpool to catch their opponents offside on plenty of occasions.
A total of 121 opponents have been caught offside by the Reds this term. By comparison, City are second in these rankings with the figure of 71.
Virgil van Dijk (37) and Joel Matip (34) lead the league in provoking offside situations.
Driving Diaz
The stats back up the obvious fact that Luis Diaz has hit the ground running following his arrival at Anfield.
Since making his Premier League debut against Leicester City on February 10, the No.23 leads the division for most carries of the ball with a take-on (15).
In his 498 minutes of Premier League action, Diaz has completed 54 progressive carries. A total of 13 of those carries have resulted in a shot from himself or chance created.
He's also had 46 touches in the opposition's penalty area – only Salah and Bukayo Saka have more in the Premier League since February 10.