Reds conundrum
They often look like a talented team. Some of the statistics indicate they should be a successful team. Except the one that matters. Adam Bate looks at why Liverpool are in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Monday 12 November 2012 13:34, UK
Adam Bate looks at why Liverpool's fresh start has been scuppered by familiar problems at Anfield.
This was supposed to be a new dawn for Liverpool. But the club's supporters could be forgiven for feeling as though they've seen it all before as the hard luck stories continue to come out of Anfield. Former boss Kenny Dalglish spent much of last season bemoaning the team's poor fortune and the statistics were indeed remarkable. In the top five leagues in Europe, only Barcelona spent more time in the attacking third of the field, while the Reds out-shot their opposition in all but five of their 38 league games. And incredibly, the phenomenon has continued. Of all the traits Brendan Rodgers would like to have inherited from Dalglish, this was unlikely to have been near the top of the list. While the Northern Irishman can content himself that his much-vaunted 'footballing philosophy' is reaping dividends in terms of shots, possession and passing statistics, the currency of points continues to elude the new man in charge at Liverpool. The identity of the teams with similar statistics to the Reds would indicate that results should follow. Only Everton and Manchester City have had more shots. The country's Champions League representatives are the only sides that can better Liverpool in terms of possession. Arsenal, City and Tottenham are the only sides to concede fewer efforts on goal. Rodgers' men are in good company and seemingly doing the right things to precipitate successful results.| Liverpool - PL 2012/13 | ||
| Discipline | Ranking | |
| Shots per game | 3rd | |
| Shots conceded | 4th | |
| Possession | 4th | |
| Pass success | 6th | |
| Short passes | 4th | |
| League position | 12th | |
