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Marc Reichardt's avatar

https://youtu.be/d3D7Y_ycSms?si=CNFsrIl1zBaa2Q6m

This is what aggravates me with a lot of the commentators we get on the US broadcasts. They keep talking about threat and chances and defensive breakdowns and I'm looking at the data both during the match and after and not really seeing much of anything, especially when it comes to genuine chances (aka shots with some measure of xG.) But then that becomes the narrative and by the next week, the NBC studio is talking about Liverpool's "suspect defense" and I'm all: "Are you people actually watching the same matches that I am or is this just coming from your producer as something to fill airtime with?"

Andrew Beasley's avatar

I think it's reasonable to be a little concerned with the set piece defending, they have given up some good chances that way. But after seeing teams run through Liverpool with ease for the last couple of seasons (especially 2022/23), I'm just glad they've largely shut down the open play threat.

Sean's avatar

Yeah, you can “feel” this while watching. Against Brighton, you could feel City giving away another chance. In our matches, we “could” giveaway a goal but it never feels like that is likely to happen

Andrew Beasley's avatar

That's a good way of framing it. The opposition having good chances now and again is inevitable. But it doesn't feel like it will ever snowball out of control for Slot's Liverpool.

Sean's avatar

Now, if I could have a few more two-goal leads…my doctor would say “thanks”!

Matthew Shepherd's avatar

Great dig down into the data, Andrew. I used to work with one of the original pioneers who defined this key area (Dr. Peter Usher) who called it the Golden Zone in his work the LMA. Important context for the data that the providers would do well to include.