Sunderland Exposes Liverpool’s Weakness to Long Passes; Leeds Next to Capitalize

After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Liverpool’s vulnerabilities were exposed, particularly their struggle against long passes. Mohamed Salah’s exclusion from the starting lineup stirred conversations, but the focus swiftly shifted to their tactical deficiencies. The game at Anfield revealed crucial trends that might impact their upcoming matches.

Liverpool’s Long Pass Vulnerability

Throughout the season, Liverpool has faced an alarming challenge against opponents favoring long balls. In the recent game, Sunderland utilized 73 long passes, marking one of the highest totals in a Premier League match this season. This strategic approach has proven effective, allowing Sunderland to secure a valuable point.

• In their matches, Liverpool has seen only one win when opponents executed 70 or more long passes.
• Teams like Crystal Palace and Manchester United have successfully capitalized on this weakness.
• Under coach Arne Slot, Liverpool’s win rate plummets dramatically when opponents utilize long passes.

Statistics Behind the Struggles

The statistics reveal a stark disparity in Liverpool’s performance based on opponents’ playing styles. When more than 20% of passes are long, Liverpool has only won 30.8% of the time. This is a sharp drop from a 71.8% win rate in matches where opponents did not adopt this tactic.

Specific performances further underscore this trend. Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, made 31 long passes, significantly contributing to their offensive strategy. The high volume of long balls played led directly to Sunderland’s first goal and overall effectiveness against Liverpool’s defensive line.

Leeds United: The Next Challenge

Liverpool’s upcoming match against Leeds United might present a similar threat. Leeds, managed by Daniel Farke, recently transitioned to a 3-4-2-1 formation. This change has revitalized their attack, allowing them to effectively pair two powerful strikers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

• Leeds demonstrated their capability to exploit long balls during their recent game against Chelsea, where they won 3-1.
• The team appears poised to challenge Liverpool’s backline similarly to Sunderland.

What This Means for Liverpool

As Liverpool approaches its next match, the pressing need for tactical adjustments becomes evident. Their struggles against long passes are likely to be scrutinized again. If they cannot devise a strategy to counter this weakness, teams like Leeds will surely aim to capitalize on it.

Liverpool’s tactical challenges highlight a pivotal moment in their season, demanding urgent attention from the coaching staff. The ability to adapt to opponents’ strategies will determine their success in future fixtures.