Liverpool have led for just 17% of their minutes played in the Premier League this season in an under-the-radar statistic that helps explain their troubles so far this season. Jurgen Klopp’s men have failed to gain control in most of their matches so far during the campaign and this is something that could hurt them again when they take on Arsenal at the Emirates this weekend.
Liverpool have endured a shoddy start to the season, picking up just 10 points from their opening seven fixtures. They have won only two matches in that time having frequently struggled defensively, failing to keep it tight enough at the back and putting extra pressure on their attacking talent.
The Reds have led in just three games so far this season with the 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth a rare anomaly in the length of time they have spent in the lead. That match included 90 minutes of Liverpool in total control of the match following Luis Diaz opener in the third minute.
Their only other victory this season came against Newcastle at Anfield at the end of August, a match they trailed for the majority of proceedings before Fabio Carvalho netted a last-minute winner. They did not lead a match again until last weekend’s draw with Brighton, spending 20 minutes in front following Adam Webster’s own goal before Leandro Trossard completed his hat trick to equalise for the Seagulls.
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As a result, Liverpool have only led for a combined total of 110 minutes this season, around 17% of the 630 minutes of match action they have completed so far. The side has been unable to exert any real control on their matches a pattern that will need to change soon if they have any hope of winning a place in the top four come the end of the season.
To make matters worse, their record in the first half is the worst in the division with even the likes of struggling Leicester and Nottingham Forest being in a stronger position going into half-time.
Following the weekend’s draw, Klopp lamented his team’s performance at the start of the match claiming it took them too long to get into the ‘solution mood’.
“At the start our gaps in the areas where they wanted to play were too big obviously,” he explained. “It is not rocket science but it happens, you realise it, you sort it because we have a lot of solutions meanwhile, but before we were in the solution mood we were already 2-0 down.
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“We have to improve, that only happens if we perform, we have to perform more consistently. I cannot say what everybody wants to hear now, it’s just the reality and that process started already.
“I know then Arsenal is coming and we saw glimpses of their game against Tottenham, they are outstanding in the moment so that is obviously not an easy game. But we will give it a proper try.”
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