4 League wins in 5, why doesn’t it feel that way? S4 E18

It’s episode 18 of our 4th season. Happy new year dear listener - whether you are a subscriber, a casual listener or you stumbled on us by mistake. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz and Sean. It’s January 11th - Reds have played 3 League games and 2 cup games since the break. Our goal is to separate the Twitter commentary from the facts. Reds are not in the best shape, what do we think is wrong and how can we address it going forward.

Few statistics:

• In the 5 games, we’ve conceded 10 goals and scored 10.


• City, Villa, Leicester, Brentford, Wolves
  
  
  
  • People have talked about our lack of threat - from my vantage point a 3-3 against Brentford would not have been a surprise. Leicester and Villa feel like 4 would not have been unfair.
  
  
  • Does listening to the commentary just adds to the negative narrative?
  
  
  
  


• Overall xG and xGA have been in our favor - against Wolves and Brentford it was very close


• Leaving teams in the game - xG has been relatively good, but we seem to retreat when we’ve conceded in the last few games.


• Pressing stats across the team have been down. This season, Liverpool have become more open when they lose the ball - losing the ball seems to have become more from carelessness than taking risks. Is that why we aren’t as compact?


• Seems easy to pick on individuals
  
  
  
  • Performances, but seems clear that Fab and Hendo are not at their peak levels
  
  
  
  

Looking ahead:

• Shape - wide open spaces. Time for the double pivot?


• Role for Curtis, Naby?


• Brighton - much to admire


• Wolves in the cup replay

Part 3 - Transfer window is open and elsewhere:

• Cody Gakpo and …….


• And $250m to spend next summer

Elsewhere:

• Chelsea - what is going on?


• More VAR hypocrisy - Arteta ‘scandalous’ refereeing. Lopategui and his Tactical camera


• Newcastle - fairy tale?

We should be back sometime next week after Liverpool have played away at Brighton. Thanks to Sean and Daz.

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