Chelsea v Liverpool: Which player will be the most influential?

James Milner: Liverpool's most important player?

We examine Opta's data to find out which player is likely to have the greatest influence on Chelsea v Liverpool on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

The stats which power Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side have provided us with the ability to assess which players have been the most important in creating opportunities and contributing to their side's defensive efforts so far this season.

James Milner fails to stand out in a single category but comes out on top as the most important all-rounder, with a higher points-per-match average than any other Liverpool or Chelsea player.

However, he is not included in Friday's 'Elite Player' picks with Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino preferred.

Here's a look at the key stats so far this season and why Milner comes out on top...

GOALS

Diego Costa is not only the game's top scorer but also the Premier League's joint leading marksman with four goals after four games, the same total as Michail Antonio and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Goals scored Costa Hazard Firmino Lallana Mane Coutinho 4 2 2 2 2 2

Liverpool's goals have been far more evenly distributed. Four different players have two goals to their names, the same as Eden Hazard. Meanwhile, Michy Batshuayi, Victor Moses, Willian and Milner have all found the net once.

CHANCES CREATED

Both sides may have scored the same amount of goals but it is Liverpool who have created more chances, with their Brazilian stars being the chief architects for both sides.

Chances created Willian Firmino Hazard Oscar Wijnaldum 14 14 10 10 9

Roberto Firmino and Willian have created the most opportunities for team-mates with 14 apiece, although it is actually only Georginio Wijnaldum who has provided two assists so far this season.

PASS MASTERS

Jordan Henderson comes out on top in terms of completed passes, but just five of his 279 efforts have resulted in goalscoring chances. N'Golo Kante's conversion rate is even worse, with just two opportunities created, with their deeper roles impacting their threat.

Passes completed Henderson Terry Kante Azpilicueta Cahill 279 226 221 219 201

Antonio Conte's men have passed the ball out of the back more, with John Terry and Gary Cahill completing more passes than Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan combined.

Of those operating in more advanced areas, it is Hazard who is proving the most economical with the ball with 189 successful passes.

AERIAL COMMANDERS

Chelsea will be expected to command aerial battles at Stamford Bridge, with the stats backing up the assertion that they are a force to be reckoned with in the air.

Aerial duels won Cahill Lovren Terry Ivanovic Matic 19 12 10 10 9

Gary Cahill has been more dominant than this absent team-mate John Terry, while his deputy David Luiz has rarely shied a way for an aerial duel.

THE ENFORCERS

Jordan Henderson comes out on top in terms of tackles, while full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Branislav Ivanovic have actually made more than their central colleagues, but it is Joel Matip, despite making just two appearances, who has made the most clearances.

Tackles Henderson Oscar Clyne Kante Ivanovic 13 11 9 7 6

BEST ALL-ROUNDERS

You will probably have noticed that Milner's name does not come up at the top of any of the aforementioned categories, so how can he be the most influential player?

Well firstly he has only played three of Liverpool's four games, but when he has played he has averaged more points than any other player according to Fantasy Six-a-Side's in-depth scoring system.

Average points Milner Willian Hazard Firmino Costa 77.33 73.83 70.88 67.5 61.88

With eight chances created, 168 passes completed, four tackles made, 14 clearances, and a goal to his name, he performs consistency well across the board, making him the most sensible pick for your Fantasy Six-a-Side team.

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