THE SHARPE END: Jurgen Klopp has pressing concerns at Liverpool, as Henderson and Fabinho run more
THE SHARPE END: Jurgen Klopp has pressing concerns at Liverpool despite Jordan Henderson running over seven MILES per game… while Leicester lack the late fight in games that could cost them in relegation battle
- Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have seen their pressing game fade away recently
- It has changed the way that the Reds play – and fans and the boss are well aware
- Also, which of the relegation sides are best suited to the survival challenge?
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Liverpool are not who they used to be. Fans know it. Even Jurgen Klopp knows it. They don’t even try to play like it.
The numbers show Liverpool press much less than they did in their glory days of recent past.
They complete fewer pressed sequences and allow opponents more passes before they try to win it back.
They have much less of the ball now too.
Jurgen Klopp is well aware that Liverpool’s pressing game has eradicated in recent times
Liverpool’s passing accuracy of 83.4 per cent is their lowest in a PL season since 16-17.
Only Leeds lose possession more times per game than Liverpool this season (150.25)
Liverpool’s midfield are having to work harder with ageing midfielders like Jordan Henderson and Fabinho running further.
No midfielder in the Premier League aged 32 or over runs as far per game this season than Henderson (min 1,000 mins played).
Jordan Henderson (left) and Fabinho have been running their socks off in Liverpool’s midfield
Who has got bite for relegation fight?
Bums are so squeaky down at the bottom of the Premier League that if you’ve got the lead late in the game, you need to keep it.
If you’re losing, you need to dig deep to take something — anything — from the game.
Those with the heart to grind out results stand the best chance of survival.
That’s not good if you’re a Leicester fan. From goals scored in the final 15 minutes of games they have gained the fewest points — none — and dropped the most.
Four dropped points have come in the last three games.
Leicester’s inability to see out results, and dropping late points, may prove costly in the end
