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.
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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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BR…you CLOWN…I said it before, and will say it again…BR is a ROOKIE manager, who should NOT be learning his trade, at a club like LIVERPOOL FC!!!. FSG you need to wake up!!!!.
BR is a rookie manager, totally agree. But which manager doesn`t make mistake`s, they all do…..He is learning is trade and is doing reasonably well given the responsibility he has at LFC. Today like a few others he made a mistake but he will learn in time. During that time everyone is entitled to their opinion and he will make mistakes but get behind the team. We`ve had enough turmoil.
Rodgers is out of his depth . Experience has nothing to do with it . He is clueless.
Stop makin bulls**t excuses. The man is a cabbage
Turmoil has not got anything to do with the disgust fans are feeling towards Rodgers after today’s debacle. He had 6 days to prepare for the obvious approach Southampton were going to use today and he failed miserably. It truly beggars belief that Skrtel and Allen found their way back into the starting line-up.
This result today finishes any illusions about claiming fourth place. The season is now over in terms of targets so why are FSG waiting until the summer to get rid of Mr. Ticky-Taka. It is time Rodgers is sacked, he is not up to the job. The Premier League is a pitiful standard, when rubbish like Everton are even ahead of us then enough is enough.
It is time for FSG to show some leadership and give Rodgers his P45 tonight, 45 points out of 90 is quite simply unacceptable. It is also time to tell Gerrard, Johnson and all the other fatcat high earners at the club to leave because week after week they are failing to justify their ridiculously high and lavish wages.
This result today was a watershed moment-for Rodgers to pass it off as yet another bad day at the office is not good enough.
All true. I’ve been saying the Same for months
FSG won’t act till end of season, partly cos of no one to take control for last 8 games and few managerial options would leave their present clubs at this stage of the season. After QPR let’s see.
Rodgers should be sacked NOW – let Jamie manage the last 8 games for the experience
Let Jamie manage!!!! Really, I was at the game yesterday he was wrong to start Allen, but that wasn’t why we lost, we didn’t show up. The attitude of all of the players needs to be questioned not just the managers tactics
Don’t be a fool Davey . Rodgers is inept and out of his depth
Anyone,anyone, with just pea for a brain, could see that, with a midfield selection of Allen and Gerrard, we will be suffocated in midfield, obviously Brenda hasn’t even got a pea for a brain!!!.
Sorry Brenda, but that is a FACT!!!!!, you totally proved that today, with your pathetic team selection, that you are definetly NOT up to this level.
Biggest mistake was playing an injured Allen who was again woeful and not starting with either Lucas or Henderson.
Result was we had no protection for the back 4. Gerrard looks exhausted as well and could well have done with a rest. In fact BR hasn’t
had the balls to drop, rest or even substitute Gerrard even when he was having a poor game. Combine that with Skrtel lacking match fitness and Johnson being out of sorts we were not going to get out of 1st gear.
The only thing he got right was substitute Allen at half time. Where were the other subs?
We are clueless on how to defend as a team at the moment. Bring back the clean sheets!
Allen is NOT injured . He needs an operation . He is fully fit . It’s not a problem
Injury is a smokescreen excuse for consistently poor performances. He’s played with it during his Swansea days. Allen must have his Op now – at least then we may play a decent midfield for rest of season.
Well said . its a nonsense excuse .
… in the very same interview that Rodgers gave that stupid excuse – Rodgers went on about how Suarez shouldn’t have played against Wigan cos of a minor injury … he still scored a hat-trick .
If Allen was injured – he wouldn’t be playing
I think maybe having Sterling or Shelvey to bring on as another option would have freshened things up a bit. Sturridge was off form and Coutunho was the only player that looked like scoring.
For Brendan, keeping the club up is a success. Amazing run ? V Swansea reserves, beat Wigan, and we got 2 gifts from spurs. I’m tired of telling people. BR is a championship manager. We are winning despite him in charge, and through the work other managers have put in. Not because of him.
100% spot on
100% crap king kenny was great u nob
yes Kenny was great . Restored our pride . 3 trips to wembley and our first trophy in 6 years
Did u see Rodriguez just run past fresh legs Lucas as if he wasn’t there looool
We need a top centre back and a top defensive mid 2 really challenge 4 honours,BR is doing a good job,playing the best football I’ve seen us play 4 YEARS can’t wait for next season wen we can really push on, but hats off considering the mess king kenny left us in
another clueless moron with the ‘next season we will be great ‘ delusion .
what a fool
Just keep sacking people u FOOL that’s y Everton are above us u FOOL consistency we have not played this style of football 4 years ur the same FOOL that called 4 king kenny and now FOOLS are calling 4 Phil Thompson pmsl well done Brendan Rodgers the style of football WILL prevail YNWA
You are clueless . If a manager is doing good job – Keep him
If a manager is doing a rubbish job – Sack him
Rodgers is useless . U must be Man U fan if u want him to stay
ps – everton are only above us because we have a useless manager
Lets sack him rebuild AGAIN with a new manager who wants diff players AGAIN and let’s do this 4 the next few years wat a muppet
There is no point sticking with a manager who is not up to it .
Yes . Sack him please . Why waste more time and money on this loser
we are wasting money by HAVING rodgers –
he wasted 33m on rubbish players in the summer
and , we are losing money by not getting champions league football
and, we are losing money by having no good cup runs
your the muppet red rum if you want to keep this waster
Oooohh no I don’t know how to get to my house bcos of Arsenal fans,I don’t know if I can forgive you BR, this is not the time to be trying some players and some tactics,BR you really disappoint me,pls do everything that we did not loss any match again
Not always one2 call 4 heads bt Brendan got dis wrong…skrtel has bin match-rusty &was awful in defence 2day..,gave away a needless foul 4d 2nd goal& was ball watchin 4 both d 1st & 3rd goal…skrtel came bak 2d startin line-up& a defence dat wasnt gud bt actually copin was bamboozled…sturridge was anoda culprit on d pitch& he was so clueless dat it was evident& appalin…nids mor fitness dan gettin a regular playin tym on his belt…henderson nids to appear more in games..he’s lukd decent lately…d defence line mst be re-shuffled& am afraid 2 say i aint gat faith in agger,skrtel or even d retiring Cara…rodgers has got a lot mor2 do cz if rily he’s workd wondas wit our attack as bin generally believed,den conceedin shldnt be a prob as untd were very porous @d stat of d seasn bt were yet chippin in wt d goals…brace up4 nxt seasn guys..YNWA
you shouldn’t comment if you can’t spell.
The obvious replacement for Rodgers is Phil Thompson. He would jump at the chance to manage Liverpool. He knows how to organize a defence. It is a disgrace that the club has overlooked him.
1. Mourinho
2. Rafa
3. Laudrup
4. Thompson
5. Anyone except that useless gobby idiot Rodgers
‘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 ?
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.
anyone who selects joe allen should be sacked on the spot
Thank you Mr Rodgers for ruining any chance of qualifying for CL
Giving Rodgers the LFC job was like handing the keys to your Ferrari to your teenage son. FSG are completely clueless about football.
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
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.
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 ….
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.
You are correct
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….
You are correct also
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.
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.
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!!!.