Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League home game for the first time since records began in 2003 as Arsenal highlighted a growing problem under Andoni Iraola.
The statistic, covering 442 home matches, was confirmed by Opta after Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister were initially credited with efforts on target. Those attempts were later reclassified as a blocked shot and an overhit pass.
Liverpool had 17 shots at Anfield, but they were worth only 1.05 expected goals. Their finishing was inaccurate and they were also incorrectly denied a penalty, yet their inability to create clear opportunities was the more significant concern.
Liverpool have taken 140 shots in the Premier League this season – the fifth-highest total in the division – but rank only ninth for goals scored and 11th for expected goals.
The locations of those efforts explain much of the difference. Liverpool have taken 39% of their shots from outside the penalty area, the fourth-highest proportion in the league behind Manchester United, Hull and Newcastle, all of whom are in the bottom half after nine games.
Only 8% of Liverpool’s shots have come from inside the six-yard box, the sixth-lowest figure in the division. Arsenal and Manchester City, the top two sides, have the highest proportions from that area at 17% and 13% respectively.
Dominik Szoboszlai illustrates the issue. The Liverpool midfielder has taken 93% of his shots from outside the box, the highest percentage among Premier League players this season. His only attempt from inside the area was the penalty he scored against Newcastle on the opening day, and he has not scored in the competition since.
Wirtz output adds to concern
Iraola is not opposed to shooting from range. His Bournemouth side had more efforts from outside the box than any other Premier League team last season, while he previously told Sky Sports that Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier and Lewis Cook were encouraged to shoot because of their ability from distance.
Szoboszlai may be viewed similarly, but the frequency of long-range attempts also reflects Liverpool’s difficulty in getting the ball to their forwards in dangerous areas.
Liverpool recorded 30 first-half touches in Arsenal’s penalty area, a Premier League record, but their total of 250 touches in opposition boxes this season ranks only eighth. They are second bottom for Opta-defined big chances created, with seven in nine matches, despite spending nearly £500m on their attack in the past two years. Only newly promoted Coventry and Hull have created fewer.
Their average of 0.09 expected goals per shot is among the lowest in the division. Alexander Isak has scored six league goals from chances worth 4.35 expected goals, partly through converting difficult opportunities.
Florian Wirtz has created 22 chances, second only to Pascal Gross’s 24, but has not produced a single big chance. Gross has created seven. Wirtz, signed last year to lead Liverpool’s playmaking, ranks 37th in the league for expected assists, with 1.08.
Early setbacks make problem worse
Liverpool’s creativity has also been affected by match situations. Arsenal became the fifth Premier League side to score first against them this season. Only Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Ipswich, Newcastle and Coventry have spent more time trailing across the opening nine games.
Iraola prefers quick, vertical attacks, but opponents can defend in compact, low blocks when Liverpool concede first. Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead after 17 minutes, and Liverpool have now spent 27% of the season building against low blocks – more than any other Premier League side.
Liverpool have won only one of the five games in which they conceded first, compared with victories in all three matches where they scored first. Starting more strongly could force opponents to leave space, but Iraola needs answers quickly.
