Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Saturday exemplified for many people why neither team looks close to securing Champions League qualification this season.
It was a disjointed game. The Reds completed 75 per cent of their passes, their worst figure in league or Europe this season. While the visitors were a little better, with a 79.8 per cent pass accuracy, it continued a theme of their campaign; it was the sixth match this season in which Chelsea were below 81 per cent for pass success, and they’ve taken just two points from those games.
Injuries have hobbled both sides in 2022/23. Per Premier Injuries, they have 15 players currently unavailable when the sides occupying the top four places have 14 between them. This goes a long way to explaining why Chelsea (3.8) and Liverpool (3.1) are the top two teams in the Premier League for average line-up changes per match this season.
This won’t be entirely down to fitness but also performance. As an example, Jürgen Klopp would’ve preferred it if Fabinho was on top form this season, rather than having to replace him in the starting XI this weekend with 18-year-old Stefan Bajčetić. A manager searching for answers to a team’s struggles inevitably leads to them shuffling their pack more often, no matter who is available.
It is however interesting that behind these two teams for line-up change frequency are Southampton, who are bottom of the table, and Tottenham, another member of the big six who have been erratic this term. At the opposite end of the scale are Arsenal (0.8 changes per game), Newcastle (1.1) and Brighton (1.2), three teams enjoying better than expected campaigns.
The correlation is by no means perfect. Frank Lampard has tinkered with his team to the tune of 1.7 changes per league match, the fourth fewest, and Everton have been abysmal. Liverpool and Chelsea may improve if their XIs can settle down a touch though.
Other work highlights
Links for all of my work from this week can be found here, but here are my three favourites.
Much has been made of Darwin Nunez’ missing countless clear-cut chances. Here’s why it’s not the end of the world and what history suggests may happen next.
Harvey Elliott scored a fine goal in the win at Wolves. There were two aspects to it which Liverpool need far more of this season.
The Chelsea draw ended the run but Liverpool had won every match in which Naby Keïta and Thiago Alcântara started together in midfield. Here’s a closer look at their record.
Share the things you love
I was saddened by the death of Yukihiro Takahashi last weekend and had an enjoyable conversation on Twitter (imagine!) with a Japanese Liverpool supporter about him.
If you like electronic music, check out his work, both solo and with Yellow Magic Orchestra. But more importantly, have a good week.