are comfortably first within the , sitting 13 factors clear, and look set to win their first league title in 5 years.
Since profitable the Premier League in 2019-20, Liverpool have needed to watch on as fierce rivals have dominated the highest flight. Up to now two seasons, have been Man Metropolis’s closest challengers, not Liverpool.
However why are Liverpool thus far forward of everybody else? What has new supervisor Arne Slot doe that has labored so effectively, and so quick? Let’s let the numbers inform the story.
One of the best participant
It will be unfair to start out anyplace else than Mo Salah, far and away one of the best participant within the Premier League this season. The Egyptian has had a hand – or foot – in 64% of Liverpool’s targets this season (25 targets + 17 assists), by far one of the best mark within the league. ‘s Alexander Isak is the one different participant above 50% on this stat.
On tempo to develop into solely the second ever footballer in Premier League historical past to report 20+ targets and assists after Thierry Henry, Salah has been doing every little thing and extra to make sure that the Reds raise the trophy as soon as once more.
Loads is talked about Salah’s supposedly low Anticipated Assists tally (6.8), however not sufficient is talked about his large probability creating. The Egyptian has created 21 large possibilities within the Premier League this season, with solely Barcelona’s Raphinha (21) created extra throughout Europe’s prime 10 leagues.
Salah’s hanging abilities have additionally been excellent. Out of the 51 gamers to have recorded an Anticipated Objectives complete of 10 or extra within the top-10 leagues thus far, Salah ranks sixth in effectivity (88th percentile). He overperforms his expectations by 4.8 targets. And extra importantly, he’s scored 25 occasions, greater than anybody on this group.
Leaning into their strengths
Slot arrived in Liverpool simply seven months in the past, however seems to have rapidly understood the place his greatest possibilities to succeed on the pitch lie. The Dutchman put his three greatest shot-creating threats on the suitable aspect of the pitch (Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold) and let the remaining care for itself.
Dividing the pitch vertically in three, 36% of the Reds’ possibilities within the Premier League thus far have come from the suitable aspect, and 35% from central – the place those self same three gamers additionally function infrequently. The left aspect with a declining Andrew Robertson has been much less used, bringing solely 29% of Liverpool’s pictures.
One other factor Liverpool lean into is effectivity. Having an awesome set of gamers is definitely helpful, however simplifying the sport additionally helps. In idea, as nearer to the purpose a workforce shoots, the nearer they’re to scoring. Liverpool have the second-lowest common distance in pictures within the Premier League this season and the second-highest proportion of pictures taken contained in the field. Brentford lead each classes.
This method, together with the person high quality of the gamers, has led to Liverpool having, by far, the biggest quantity of huge possibilities within the Premier League this season: 110 – 16 greater than second-placed .
Lastly, however most undoubtedly not the least necessary, the Anfield issue. The Reds maintain one of the best dwelling report within the league with a cushty four-point margin, with one of the best defence and second-best assault on their very own turf.
Adaptability
Slot has additionally proven extra tactical flexibility when it comes to retaining possession (or not). To date within the 2024-25 Premier League, Liverpool have had lower than 50% possession in eight of their 28 matches. That is their most in a single marketing campaign since 2014-15 (10 occasions). They usually’ve nonetheless acquired 10 video games left to play.
Proportionally, Liverpool have had much less possession than their opponents in 28.6% of their video games this season — their most since 2013-14, after they had much less possession in 28.9% of their matches (11/38).
And to their credit score, Liverpool have definitely made essentially the most of their time with out the bal. The Reds have received seven and drawn one of many eight matches by which they’ve had much less possession than their opponents this season.
This season, the Reds have even gone so far as recording their lowest ball retention in a Premier League win on report — 34% of their win over Man Metropolis final weekend.
The Slot revolution has not solely maintained the general posture and excessive depth seen with Jurgen Klopp over the previous 10 years, but in addition added different traits which have solely improved the workforce as a complete. The result’s what appears like a sure league title within the Dutchman’s first try.