Premier League: Four Teams That Exceeded Expectations
1. Liverpool
The accolades and superlatives to describe the Reds season so far are so well-documented that it almost seems redundant. It is no surprise that they land at the top of the list of clubs that have exceeded expectations.
A more in-depth look into their statistics provides a better understanding of why they are sitting way above the rest. Per FBref.com, Jurgen Klopp’s charges are second in the league in the following offensive categories:
- Expected goals plus expected assists per 90 minutes;
- Expected non-penalty goals plus expected assists per 90 minutes;
- Expected goals;
- Expected assists per 90 minutes;
- Non-penalty expected goals per shot;
- Shots on target per 90 minutes;
- Shots on target percentage;
- Shots on target;
- Progressive passes;
- Completed live passes; and
- Completed passes
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In the majority of these categories, the best club is Manchester City. However, the secret formula that sets Liverpool apart offensively is two categories where they are best in the league.
The Reds are the best in the Premier League in progressive distance. The accumulated length of their passes towards the opponent’s goal, and passes over 40 yards along the width of the pitch, known as swing passes, according to FBref.com.
Long transitional passes towards the goal are the main ingredients of their offensive game.
Liverpool is at the top of the Premier League in clean sheets, goals conceded, tackles in the attacking third, and the percentage of obtaining the ball when applying defensive pressure, per FBref.com.
A reliable offense backed up by an even more vigorous defense has combined to lead to the Reds being third in offensive goal conversion rate and fifth in opposition goal conversion rate in The Top Flight.
Liverpool will not sell Keita in the summer. dark. Next
Most importantly, Liverpool’s actual points above expected points rate of 22.19 is the best in the Premier League and almost nine points higher than the second-best team in that category. The Reds may not be the best at everything, but they are the best at what matters the most.