LIVERPOOL’S ailing title defence has been laid bare by the damning stats behind their decline.
After two stunning campaigns totalling nearly 200 points, including last season’s romp to a first crown in 30 years, things have been very different in 2020-21.
There were suggestions that this Reds side could be the best in Premier League history, but they are now fighting for a top-four finish as well as their legacy.
Wednesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton was not a blip but their second consecutive defeat at Anfield, following 68 home games unbeaten in the league.
Naturally, injuries have taken their toll, with the defence in particular ravaged by the long-term absences of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
Yet the attack has also experienced a sharp decline.
Compare Liverpool’s 22 games of this league season with the same period last year and the contrast is stark.
The tally of wins has dropped from 22 to 11 with nine fewer goals scored and 11 more let in.
Focusing on the defence, Klopp’s side have actually faced fewer shots, the tally dropping from 208 to 180.
But the quality of those shots has certainly risen, with 59 shots on target faced by this point last season and 76 so far in 2020-21.
A similar theme comes out in the attacking stats, where it can be said that Liverpool are arguably more offensive – but creating poorer quality attacks as a result.
The total shots tally is basically unchanged and only 12 fewer shots on target have been fired off.
But average possession has increased from 61.9 per cent to 64.2 per cent.
Furthermore, the number of successful passes and the Reds’ passing accuracy has rocketed.
This suggests opponents are happier to sit in and keep the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane knocking the ball around in front of them, rather than allowing themselves to be exposed by Liverpool’s devastating counter-attacks.
Ultimately, the most important stat is the 24 fewer points won by the defending champions compared to this stage in 2019-20.
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Nobody expected them to match the incredible 21-1-0 start made to last season, but replacing it with a 11-7-4 record is rather staggering.
These performances have left the Merseyside giants seven points off leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
That is the same gap Liverpool hold over eighth-placed Chelsea, who likewise have a game to make up.
Arresting this slump may not be only integral to saving Liverpool’s season, but also to preventing the break-up of this historic team.
