Liverpool’s world-class pressing has fallen off a cliff this season. We have a look at two reasons why that could be.
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have built several reputations with their playing style. They’re rapid in behind, take risks at the back and utilise creativity from full-backs more than any team in history.
Above all, though, this is a high-pressing side that uses intensity to rattle opponents and win the ball back quickly. Pep Lijnders even named his recent book ‘intensity’, for the coaching staff believe it’s their identity.
This season, though, Liverpool aren’t themselves. You can see that by watching them but for added proof that this isn’t the same team, there are their pressing stats. The Reds have fallen off a cliff this season.
Statsbomb data on FBref shows exactly how often Liverpool press per 90 minutes this season. We compared that data to last season and the title-winning 2019/20 campaign (injuries in 2020/21 prevented the side from being at their best).
What’s immediately apparent, then, is that Liverpool aren’t pressing anywhere near as often as they were. We’re seeing it around 113 times per 90 this season, compared to 141 times last time. That number was 148 as the Reds won the title.
That’s a drop-off of 35 times compared to Liverpool at their peak. It’s dramatic, and seen most obviously in the attacking third – 32 presses this season compared to 47 in 2019/20.
Liverpool’s pressing falters
So why is this happening? One important note to keep in mind is that Liverpool haven’t forgotten how. Their success rate is actually higher than ever this season – 39%. It was at 32% in each of the two comparison campaigns.
We see two potential reasons for the drop-off, then. Firstly, Liverpool aren’t pushing teams back properly. Thiago’s injury has left them unable to move the ball through opposition pressing and push teams back to the edge of their box.
If they can’t do that, they can’t press high up the pitch. It’s as simple as that, really, and Liverpool must adjust if they’re going to get their territorial advantage back.
But there’s another obvious factor. Looking at pressing stats shows another big drop-off and it’s not from Liverpool. Their opponents are pressing roughly 25 fewer times per 90 minutes this season – there’s a league-wide drop.
We imagine that’s because of the World Cup. Teams need to factor in a mid-season tournament that will deplete energy and leave players exhausted in the second-half of the campaign. The only way to mitigate for that is by conserving energy before hand.
Thus the league as a whole isn’t quite as intense. That will inevitably hurt teams that rely on competing at that intensity – Liverpool being the prime example.
Unless the Reds learn to deal with that, they’re going to struggle for the reason of the season.
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