Talking trends: How Liverpool concede
THE purpose of this article is – as the title indicates – to take a look at how Liverpool FC have conceded their goals this season.
The impression I and many others have after 29 league games with Brendan Rodgers in charge is that we have struggled to defend on set pieces, crosses in general and in the transition phase – and my very simplistic assumption/hypothesis is that a large part of our goals against have come from various types of set pieces and crosses.
Not exactly controversial or ground breaking, but still worth investigating.
Bear in mind, this is just me checking some of the numbers. There is no extensive analysis behind each conceded goal, which would be needed to make proper conclusions. Nor is it a breakdown of the types of chances the opposition typically create. I’m just looking to see how the stats measure up to what we see with our own eyes.
There will always be a question of definition regarding which category to file the odd goal under; this is a combination of my own definitions and Opta numbers, taken from EPL Index. I will explain my reasoning for some of it later and give you a few examples that could be considered somewhat borderline.
Goals conceded – the numbers
Games played: 29
Goals conceded: 36
Set pieces
| Type of goal | Number of goals | Explanation |
| Direct free kick | 1 | |
| Indirect free kick | 3 | All three crossed into the box |
| Corner | 5 | Direct & second ball finish included |
| Penalty | 3 | |
| Throw-in | 1 | Stoke, obviously |
| Total | 13 |
Open play
| Type of goal | Number of goals | Explanation |
| Counter attack | 5 | |
| Shot outside box | 1* | |
| Shot inside box | 10 | After cross or build-up; direct & second ball finish |
| Header | 2 | |
| Own goal | 1 | |
| Personal error | 4 | Error leading directly to goal |
| Total | 23 |
*I have only included Benteke’s 1-0 goal at Anfield in the ‘Shot outside box’ section. Technically we could also include Gera’s screamer in the league opener and Agüero’s wonder goal at the Ethihad, but I have classified those as ‘Corner’ and ‘Personal error’ respectively. Feel free to argue.
Now then, here comes the kicker:
Number of goals conceded from a cross (inside or outside the box) from open play: 10
I don’t know how this compares to other teams in the top half of the table, but if we add this to the amount of goals conceded from various types of set pieces (corners, throw-ins and indirect free kicks) it takes the total to 19 – meaning that 52,7% of the goals Liverpool have conceded this season have come as a result of failing to clear their lines and protect the box properly.
If we also add the goals conceded from counter attacks and personal errors leading directly to goal, the total becomes 28 – or 77,7%.
The flip side of this is of course that we rarely get outplayed and allow goals through the middle when we are in defensive balance. The way I have defined it, only three goals have been conceded this way: Cazorla at Anfield, Rafael at Anfield and Walcott at the Emirates.
To me this suggests the team generally is well organised when the opposition have the ball and is trying to break us down, and this is also the impression I have had when watching the games – especially since we got the midfield balance right back in December. Another thing I take from this is that our central defenders are comfortable when the ball is on the ground, both in front of them and also in behind. Carragher, Agger and Skrtel are all tactically good (Carragher and Agger in particular) and have a good understanding between them, and generally don’t allow much joy for opposing attackers.
Conclusion
Looking purely at the numbers I guess it confirms what many of us have already seen: Liverpool struggle to defend crosses, from set pieces as well as during open play, and that this has been – and still is – our main concern this season.
How do we fix it?
In my opinion: Personnel and organisation both. I don’t think we have had a dominant presence at the back since Sami Hyypä left (Kyrgiakos was more of a fringe player), and it continues to haunt us – especially now that we don’t have Carroll, who was very useful on defensive set pieces. Skrtel is probably the closest we get, but he has looked insecure and error prone this season. As good as the Carragher-Agger partnership is, both have trouble dealing with crosses. To me this has to be the main priority in the summer window; we need a commanding presence at the back.
But I don’t think players alone will do the trick. Rodgers has fixed our attacking game this season; next season he needs to focus on the defensive side of it.
Please note that this article was penned PRIOR to this afternoon’s Premier League clash versus Southampton. Some of the stats in this article have been taken from EPL Index: http://www.eplindex.com/
Find me on Twitter if you want @ChristerEikrem
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March 16th, 2013
‘Out of his depth’
Rodgers is a championship manager at best , although even Reading didnt think he was good enough for them
…. actually there is a thought …. how the hell did a guy with no history of success who was sacked by Reading 2 years ago ever get the LFC managers job ?
March 17th, 2013
Why? Because Rodgers can talk. FSG are football novices so ended up choosing someone who is articulate. Imagine if FSG were in charge when Shankly left. There would have been no chance that Paisley would’ve got the job as he was never that articulate in front of a camera or a boardroom. But our Bob understood football in a manner few people after him have.
March 16th, 2013
anyone who selects joe allen should be sacked on the spot
Thank you Mr Rodgers for ruining any chance of qualifying for CL
March 16th, 2013
Giving Rodgers the LFC job was like handing the keys to your Ferrari to your teenage son. FSG are completely clueless about football.
March 17th, 2013
Really disappointed. Starting Allen was a bad mistake and this is what I have against BR, Hendo was fit in form and ready why he didn’t play I don’t know. Very frustrated. BR gets too ahead of himself when we are on a run and having 6 days think about a game plan it was ruined from the staring line up. I still have faith in him and I’ll give him another providing we finish 6th or above.
Come on you Reds. YNWA
March 17th, 2013
Thing is we’ve got a vastly superior squad to West Brom and yet we are only 1 point ahead of them in 7th. Personally I think European football (ie Europa league) should’ve been Brendan’s minimum requirement given our squad. BR has spent £50m already. Not sure I trust him with any more.
March 17th, 2013
such a sad state of affairs @ our beloved Liverpool FC , BrenDOM already lost us the game B4 we even kicked the ball … Playing Allen wit Gerrard everytime ment that we almost have no midfield …Allen is soo weak that gerrard has to do both midfielders jobs which meens he almost alway plays defensive which showed as our attackers didnt get supply … What Jorden Henderson has to do to get a game ???he was prefect to partner for this game as he is confident and has a hugh engine and keeps pressing the oppisition and hes brave in tackles …all that allen is not …yet Allen is brenDOMs fav son and he costs us time and time again …as seen again in this match …. Always happens when we start gettin a chance of a run together BrenDOM gets over confident , starts talking shit and outs in Allen and then it all falls to pieces …..Skrtl was terrible but he hasnt played in a while and was clearly rusty but BrenDOM didnt help him by playing such a weak MID , which ment we would be constantly attacked … IMO HE is the BIG MISTAKE in the LFC Team , with his poor tactics and constant nepotism , BUT UNFORTUNTLY FSG will back him cuz hes cheap and thats wat they want ……..If we keep Luis Saurez next year its gonna be a miricle bUT BRENDOM with his very poor decisions all season has cost us top 4 in a season where the rest of the teams Arsnel , Everton etc where for the taking ……….
Pathetic and he will never put his hand up and say ..I effed up …..Mid Table manager at best ….
March 17th, 2013
I lost my hope with BR. Why he is stating Allen is a mystery. Sturidge is out of form why didn’t replaced him. Why didn’t he replaced downing is a out of world..I have one question to everyone and BR can anybody tell me how many crosses he put in this season? Now we all should get used to being mid table club. It is for sure that FSG will not sack BR and BR will not learn from his mistakes. He is looking for Ashley Williams says it all. I don’t think Suarez will stay at the club…
Its really painful to watch us going down.
March 17th, 2013
You are correct
March 17th, 2013
Too many fools took the lucky win against Spurs to heart, Spurs made 2 uncharacteristic error and unlike us(under BR),we capitalized! I don’t count that win,sorry. BR is crap, end of….
March 17th, 2013
You are correct also
March 17th, 2013
Friend only a fool makes the same mistakes time and again, expecting a different outcome. The guy Rodgers is empty, hence makes a lot of noise. I bet we now appreciate Rafa a lot more.
March 17th, 2013
True, because Lucas did expect the no pressing from attacking midfield. He obstructed the guy without fouling him hoping for backup clearance for a team mate which didnt come.
March 17th, 2013
I am right to say that, since Rafa left we have gone from a team feared across the world, to a championship side. that m8′s is a FACT!!!.