Almost everything has gone perfectly for Liverpool under Arne Slot. A small reversion to the mean on a single metric and things might not be so rosy though.
A good interesting read. I've noted we've been efficient offensively thus far this season but this normally evens out as the season progresses.
My own concern revolves around the midfield. It could be argued against both Chelsea and Arsenal our midfield lost the midfield battle until the substitutions. In both matches the opposition seemed more aggressive and reached more first and second balls. But neither Chelsea nor Arsenal beat us but I am still concerned. Perhaps we have overplayed Szobo, Macxa and Grav. Perhaps we are missing the minutes Elliott would have given us. Perhaps we do need another midfielder. For different reasons I agree that our 'luck' may run out soon.
Thanks for the insight surrounding our potency when behind. My overriding feeling this season has been that we are underperforming when ahead and not finishing teams off. While your concern of a change of fortune could be more impactful on results from the negative game state, it could be that we secure more points from a turn around in conversion when drawing or ahead, as was the case against Forest when drawing where we ended up conceding (the time we were behind in that match was less than when we were drawing). On another note, all we need to do is be better than the average at both ends over 38 games and hope that the reversion to the mean argument actually could mean over a longer period and hope for a continuation of the corresponding down turn in fortune for injuries for both City and Arsenal and we could be in for a great season. We’ve certainly seen this type of phenomenon happen with other teams (think Man U with De Gea under Mourinho)….
Elliott averaged 1.3 final third possession regains per 90 last season, more than any other Liverpool player. That doesn’t prove he’s a good presser but he is at least there to collect the ball when needed. I look forward to him returning, especially after he was great in pre-season.
You'd have to think a sub role for Elliott based on him only getting seven minutes across the first three games. But then Liverpool could plausibly be playing every three days until the end of February - plenty of starts to go round!
A good interesting read. I've noted we've been efficient offensively thus far this season but this normally evens out as the season progresses.
My own concern revolves around the midfield. It could be argued against both Chelsea and Arsenal our midfield lost the midfield battle until the substitutions. In both matches the opposition seemed more aggressive and reached more first and second balls. But neither Chelsea nor Arsenal beat us but I am still concerned. Perhaps we have overplayed Szobo, Macxa and Grav. Perhaps we are missing the minutes Elliott would have given us. Perhaps we do need another midfielder. For different reasons I agree that our 'luck' may run out soon.
Yes, I think Elliott has been missed a lot. Even as fifth choice for three spots he’d be getting plenty of minutes.
Thanks for the insight surrounding our potency when behind. My overriding feeling this season has been that we are underperforming when ahead and not finishing teams off. While your concern of a change of fortune could be more impactful on results from the negative game state, it could be that we secure more points from a turn around in conversion when drawing or ahead, as was the case against Forest when drawing where we ended up conceding (the time we were behind in that match was less than when we were drawing). On another note, all we need to do is be better than the average at both ends over 38 games and hope that the reversion to the mean argument actually could mean over a longer period and hope for a continuation of the corresponding down turn in fortune for injuries for both City and Arsenal and we could be in for a great season. We’ve certainly seen this type of phenomenon happen with other teams (think Man U with De Gea under Mourinho)….
I haven't heard that but will check it out!
Elliott averaged 1.3 final third possession regains per 90 last season, more than any other Liverpool player. That doesn’t prove he’s a good presser but he is at least there to collect the ball when needed. I look forward to him returning, especially after he was great in pre-season.
You'd have to think a sub role for Elliott based on him only getting seven minutes across the first three games. But then Liverpool could plausibly be playing every three days until the end of February - plenty of starts to go round!