Size Isn't Everything
But it can certainly help
Liverpool are being linked with a move for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, and not for the first time. Whatever the legitimacy of the rumours, they feel similar to the signing of Ben Davies in 2020/21; dipping into the Championship for an emergency transfer thanks to an area of the team struggling with injuries and form.
Neil Atkinson of The Anfield Wrap made a very good point (as he usually does), namely that Berge is a big boy. Jürgen Klopp’s squad lacks tall players, which can be an issue in the Premier League. This has always been so, but referees now seem to be letting more challenges go unpunished which increases the need for greater physicality.
In 2021/22, the average player who started for the Reds in the league stood 182.8cm tall, which ranked ninth in the division. While they have ‘shrunk’ by just 0.3cm, Liverpool are now only the 13th tallest. The league has grown around them.
Size isn’t everything. Tottenham are the tallest side this term and their campaign hasn’t been particularly impressive. However, Newcastle and Arsenal are second and third, so as well as keeping consistent line-ups, they have big teams who can deal with the brutish element of English football. These three teams are also in the top five for fewest set piece goals conceded - as are Liverpool, in fairness - which can’t be fully coincidental.
The lack of height is particularly apparent in the Reds’ midfield. The figures here have to be taken for what they are, namely not that robust. Players classified as midfielders may play up front or in defence, and teams’ varying tactics mean some deploy more men in the centre of their side than others.
However, ranking the Premier League by the average height of starting midfielders (as listed on worldfootball.net) puts Liverpool in 16th place. There are just 11 players in the position who are a maximum of 170cm tall, and only Fulham and the Reds (with Fábio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott) and have more than one.
Heighten the search to anyone up 175cm, and Liverpool have six of the 23 midfielders who have started this season; as well as the aforementioned duo, we can add Thiago Alcântara, Naby Keïta, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the relatively diminutive group.
Liverpool don’t need Sander Berge specifically, but a midfielder or two of similar height wouldn’t go amiss.
Other work highlights
Links for all of my work from this week can be found here, but here are my three favourites.
1. Liverpool possess the third most creative player in the 2022/23 Premier League and it isn’t who you think.
2. The Reds’ pressing hasn’t been generating as many chances this season. Cody Gakpo might change that for the better.
3. There’s some passing stats, both for Liverpool and their opponents, which sum up the Reds’ problems this season.
Share the things you love
I could put a Super Furry Animals related track here every week and probably never run out. The latest Gruff Rhys ‘single’ is his best for quite some time though, with a definite hint of his Neon Neon work with Boom Bip. Press play and turn it up.
A slight obsession of mine too, Beez! 😜