Six games into the season and Liverpool are the only team with a 100% record with their football irresistible and their form undeniable once again. They remain the only perfect side so far. The Reds have already created a five-point gap in the Premier League ahead of equally impressive rivals Manchester City who they ran close in the title race last term. The excellent start has moved several bookmaker sites to install them as favourites for this season’s title.
They were excellent once again when they played against Chelsea in the first period but saw off several blue waves of attacks towards the end to hold on to their one-goal deficit that was halved by N’golo Kante’s solo effort in the second period.
When looking at the Liverpool team it is hard to imagine that such a “perfect” side could be more impressive than they already are. I mean, they’re Liverpool.
But what if it appears that they have been better than they should be? Probably that statement would perhaps bring about an inquest but the stats do prove why this style of football is not only pleasing to the eye but has become very effective(which has now become commonplace). Simply put, Jurgen Klopp’s men have overachieved a bit, at least for the most part of the season – offensively speaking.
Liverpool’s 17 goals from six games are enough to see them rank at second-highest in the League.
Their rating for expected goals (XG) which also ranks second is 11.77. This means that Liverpool are scoring more than they are statistically expected to by 5.23 goals (via understat). Only two other Premier League teams apart from Manchester City have scored more actual goals than Liverpool are expected to score. Looking at the statistics from this perspective goes to show you why they are top of the pile at the moment.
Their performances so far this season has statistically placed them at third on the table behind the two Manchester clubs. It gets ironic when you then realize United are actually nine points behind the Merseyside Club.
Going forward, they have 11 XPTS (points expectancy) but have amassed an impressive 18 points which once again shows them overachieving a bit (via understat).
Defensively, they ranked 16th for expected goals against (XGA) rating which means they gave away one of the fewest goal-scoring chances to their opposition. This ranking means they have the fourth-best defence in the league (at the moment). And without statistic, Liverpool’s five goals conceded in the Premier League means the European Champions alongside Leicester City have had the least goals conceded so far. This is more impressive when you consider they’ve faced Arsenal and Chelsea in the space of the first six games.
In all aspects, Liverpool have been better than they should actually be as they have exceeded almost every expected statistic so far this season.
The team’s desire to win their first title in the Premier League era is so strong this season that even as early as it is, the five-point gap they have created over Manchester City looks like one they are unlikely to relinquish anytime soon. How long they can keep the momentum remains to be seen but so far so good, they look like they’re not running out of out steam anytime soon.
