Dodgy defending on their travels but a different story at fortress Anfield for Liverpool

Posted on by Tom Cavilla Posted in Uncategorized

This season, Liverpool possess the best home defensive record in the league, by conceding just three times in ten matches. 

During this commendable streak, The Reds have also kept a total of seven clean sheets in the process.  

Outlined below is a breakdown of all the home results so far:  

  1. Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace 

  1. Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal 

  1. Liverpool 1-1 Burnley  

  1. Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United 

  1. Liverpool 3-0 Huddersfield Town 

  1. Liverpool 3-0 Southampton 

  1. Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea 

  1. Liverpool 1-1 Everton  

  1. Liverpool 0-0 West Brom  

  1. Liverpool 5-0 Swansea 

 

Burnley, Chelsea and Everton are the only teams that have managed to find a way to breach the Liverpool backline. 

And most intriguingly, this record could still have been bettered, as two of the three goals were highly avoidable.  

Chelsea managed to snatch a late goal at Anfield, courtesy of a dipping effort from Willian- which was almost certainly intended to be a cross into the box rather than a goal attempt-  but irrespective of this, the Brazilian midfielder shouldn’t have been given the time and space to deliver such a teasing effort into the danger zone.

Similarly, Wayne Rooney’s penalty goal for Everton could too have been prevented, as Dejan Lovren was foolish to lay his hands on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and present such an opening. 

If you compare Liverpool’s start at home to last year’s, it makes for good reading, but also leaves questions unanswered regarding the unpredictable nature of this Liverpool team. 

2016/17 :10 home games played- 10 goals conceded 

2017/18: 10 home games played- 3 goals conceded.

An average goal per game(GPG) ratio of 1 has been significantly reduced to 0.3 GPG. 

With the crowd behind them, it seems as if the Anfield faithful provide an extra layer of protection for Klopp’s side, reinforced by the fact that the Reds haven’t lost on home soil since April.

On their travels, however, the pendulum shifts significantly. 

Having only surrendered three goals at Anfield, the number away from home rises a near sevenfold to 20.  

Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur account for almost half of the twenty, as together they struck nine past the Reds. 

17 less goals conceded at home illustrates that Liverpool’s defence can be compact, what’s not clear is what determines their contrasting fortunes.

Tom Cavilla.

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