Liverpool 2019/20 EPL Report & Review

Introduction

This is a review of the 2019/20 Premier League season of the Champions, Liverpool FC. The players and squad have been assessed and the strengths and areas to improve, highlighted.

2019/20 Season

Liverpool broke through for their first ever Premier League title and first domestic championship since 1989/90. They did so by accruing 99 points which was 18 points clear of second-placed, Manchester City.

They had the second best goals per game (2.08) and the best defensive record, only conceding 0.81 per game. It was the defensive effort of Liverpool which launched so many of their attacks. Jürgen Klopp clearly charged his players with the job of working as hard as any champion team has done before on both ends of the pitch. He was not let down.

Key Points

Goals & Shots - as mentioned above, they had the second best goal scoring record, only behind Manchester City. They showed they could hurt teams in a myriad of ways. They were 1st in goals from corners and 3rd from free kicks which contributed to them having the most headed goals in the league. However, they were also 2nd from goals outside the area so they racked up the goals from open play too.

Third in attempted shots (13.68) and 3rd in accuracy (40.3%) meant, they not only overwhelmed teams with volume but, they were also lethal when they did get their looks on goal.

Possession - they enjoyed 62.5% of possession which was only behind Manchester City. They used their possession to try things, they weren’t a “die wondering team” which is why they were 3rd in ball losses with 104.35 per game as opposed to City who were 20th with 85.52.

This loss of possession didn’t hurt Liverpool because of that work ethic to win the ball back by pressing the opposition relentlessly. Any loss of possession was short-lived and it wasn’t long after that another raid would be launched at the opposition.

Crossing - crossing was a big part of the attacks for Liverpool and it usually came from their full backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold (TAA) and Andy Robertson. Liverpool were 2nd in attempts but only 11th in accuracy with the right side being the busier of the flanks. TAA was first in the league with crossing attempts per game (6.78) and Robertson was 7th (5.04) and they were 2nd (13) and 3rd (10) in total assists, despite neither being close to the top 30 in crossing accuracy.

This though is testament to the gameplay of Klopp to inundate defences with wave after wave of attacks and having the crew willing and able to mop up any breakdowns and turnovers. Defences sitting deep as the onslaught from Liverpool came in wave after wave possibly made it more difficult for TAA and Robertson to hit their marks.

1v1/Dribbling - this was an area that Liverpool didn’t exploit as much as might’ve been expected. They were only 11th in attempts and 14th in success rate. Ball movement and attacks are usually quicker by passing rather than carrying the ball so perhaps this isn’t actually a shock for how Liverpool wanted to play.

Although they were 3rd in progressive runs (18.42) which suggests there was a concerted effort to avoid turning it over by foot which could lead to trouble in the form of counters. Only moving it forward by feet when safe to do so and picking a pass if pressure was put on the player in possession. Proof that there was certainly method in the madness of the Liverpool bombardments.

Penalty Area Touches - which brings us to touches in the penalty area. By getting the ball in the area as much as Liverpool did (2nd most in the league) it kept opposition on the back foot, it meant more chances on goal and that clearances would more likely be rushed and therefore easier for Liverpool to regain possession.

Offsides - This is maybe an underrated part of Liverpool’s game. The attacking players were intelligent with making their runs and the midfielders and defenders were considerate when distributing the ball even with their attacking intent. This composure by all limited needless cessation’s to attacking plays.

It also helped that many defences were trapped deep in their own halves due to the unrelenting Liverpool pressure. Liverpool were 17th in offsides (1.26 per game) despite the number of attacks.

Passing - in general passing terms Liverpool liked to share it around (2nd most passes) and were quite accurate overall (3rd with 85.41%). When we get into more specific types of passing we can see how Liverpool’s bombardment policy in the final third really worked and what helped them have the 2nd most deep completions (14.11).

Long Passes - Liverpool were 1st in long passes per game (54.77) but 7th in accuracy.

Through Passes - once more 1st in through passes per game (14.11) but 13th in accuracy (30.4%). Liverpool attempted 3 more through passes per game than 2nd, 4 more than 3rd and 6 more than Chelsea.

Final 3rd Passes - Again they were 1st in per game (75.13) which was 15 more than 3rd place Chelsea, but 6th in accuracy.

The defences will often be deep and compact making it hard to breakdown, so Liverpool clearly decided to beat them down with volume.

Defensive Duels - Liverpool enjoyed so much possession and were able to win the ball back so effectively that they weren’t put under much defensive pressure. They were 19th in defensive duels faced per game (51.42) and 10th in winning percentage (59.5%).

They were particularly strong in the air, winning 51.6% (2nd best in the league).

Intensity - Liverpool were only behind Leicester and Southampton in challenging teams in posssesion as well as allowing the 3rd fewest passes per possession. Where they differed is that they committed the least amount of fouls in the league while Leicester were 10th and Southampton were 17th for fewest number of fouls. Liverpool were able to exert suffocating pressure yet do so cleanly.

VPM

We can see with the table below, the value per minute of each remaining member of the squad who played significant minutes in the league.

Defenders - we can see that all the defenders have high WR (actions per minute). This is because they are involved on both ends of the pitch whether it’s winning possession back or resetting and launching the attacks. They all have the VPM balance you’re likely to see with defenders in a higher DEF number than ATT number.

They also have positive OVRL VPM which incorporates disciplinary fa firs like fouls and cards. Overall, Liverpool are a very disciplined team and don’t pick up a lot of fouls nor cards.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has a negative ATT and OVRL but this is due to the large volume of less efficient actions such as crossing. Crossing even at the highest level is still rather than inefficient but as we’ve seen before TAA is playing the way which suits Liverpool.

Midfielders - much like the defenders, the midfielders have WR, even those who come off the bench. Henderson and Fabinho are the busiest on both ends which allows Wijnaldum to be more active in the attacks. We can see with the substitutes too that when they come on, they’re expected to play with as much if not more intensity. This is a big reason why Liverpool have been able to get results even late on.

Forwards - Liverpool’s front three are not defensive liabilities but they are, due to the extraordinary work of their teammates, able to focus much more on attack. Their VPM balance is heavily in favour of ATT as it should be for a team at the top of the table and this means that they are there ready to capitalise when the chances are created.

Squad Strengthening

Liverpool have so far held onto all their major players and are not a side that is in the twilight of their careers yet. It’s a great position to be in. However, their opponents won’t be and haven’t been standing sill. As hard as it was to win the title, retaining it will be even harder.

Liverpool will need reinforcements even if just as backups. Traditionally, they haven’t dished out big money on big names, but have looked more for players who fit the style they want to play. This is players who are not only workhorses but can also deliver technically to give them the edge over most.

Below are some players in the areas where reinforcements are needed.

Most of these players are under 25. This is because they will need the motor as well as the development to adapt to Klopp’s brand of football. By signing younger players with first team experience in their domestic leagues as well as Europe, you’re getting players who are ready to go yet are not the finished product.

If they don’t work out, they will still be at an age that will have some resale value.

Most of the defenders and midfielders on the list have high WR and their VPM balance suits their position.

The midfielders and defenders are all good distributors of the ball and win many of their challenges, two key elements of Liverpool’s football. They’re at the age where they have a lot of football left in them and will only get better under Klopp’s guidance, as well as, the leaders amongst the playing staff such as van Dijk and Henderson.

The forwards have high ATT VPMs which means they are effective with their opportunities. Supriaha has only a WR of 0.58 but his ATT VPM is 32 so he really does take the opportunities when they present themselves. Castillo doesn’t have a bunch of goals so far but the way he and Andersen play is not dissimilar to Mané and Salah who have benefitted with goals under Jürgen.

All of them with the exception of Amrabat have good discipline which is important for Klopp’s way of playing. In Amrabat’s defense, he plays in Serie A which has quite strict officiating going by the disciplinary records of the teams in that competition.

Summary

An exceptionally hard working team with everyone on the same page and aware of their roles. They do however have the individual quality to pair with their effort that makes them such a formidable team over the whole 90.

They’re not overflowing with depth so will need to bring in more reinforcements to help them maintain such a high tempo and full-throttle approach.

Overall the Liverpool squad had a VPM of 295 ATT 179 DEF and 353 OVRL. This is the level that will have to be, at the least, maintained to retain their title.