Statistical

Statistically, Liverpool’s approach to games this season has altered – at least in terms of shots on goal, with last season’s average of 18 per game dropping to 14 so far this term. The proportion on target has remained steady at 37 per cent, however.

The Reds are also demonstrating longer spells of possession, with last season’s average of 572 passes per game rising to 625 in this campaign. Their percentage of passes within the attacking third has remained consistent (23.3 per cent, in line with 23.4 per cent last season), which suggests that they are still looking to move the ball forward as quickly as always – they are now just doing it more frequently.

This rise in possession is likely linked to Klopp’s renowned ‘gegenpress’, which shows no sign of slowing as his reign continues – his team is averaging five more regains a game than at the same stage last season, up from 55 to 60. It’s no real surprise, then, that despite question marks about the form of the feted front three, the Reds’ goal return is much the same as it was last season: 23 goals after 12 games, as opposed to 24 last term.

Perhaps most interesting, however, is the shift in the average number of passes in the moves leading to Liverpool’s goals. In the first 12 games of last season, they averaged 2.9 passes per goal and didn’t even once go into double figures for any goal. This season, they have already scored six goals from moves of 10 or more passes, and the average has almost doubled to 5.4 passes per goal. Liverpool can still score from deadly transitions, but they are now starting to show they can strike from sustained spells with the ball too.

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