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da jogodeouro： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Liverpool have started the season in fine form and that is in large part due to their ability to score goals in a variety of different ways.
The front three are known for providing the threat and it is true that they are amongst the most deadly trio in European football, with 13 goals and eight assists between them already this term, with the Reds scoring 17 in the Premier League so far.
Added to that, they have a midfield three who keep the ball effectively – with Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson boasting pass success rates of 87%, 91% and 75% respectively – allowing pressure to mount on the opposition due to the pace with which they come back for another attack.
The Arsenal match a few weeks ago was a great example of exactly that, with Gunners players pinned down inside their own half for large periods – as the match heat map shows – allowing Liverpool’s full-backs to exploit the wings, which they do to great effect – with a combined 29 assists last term.
However, another aspect of their game which makes them the best in the league is their record from set-pieces.
It may be quite surprising given the lack of height in the team, but the Reds have scored the most from set-pieces in the Premier League since the beginning of last season, with four goals in this campaign adding to the 20 they tallied in 2018/19.
Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip have headed in 10 between them in that period, but the innovation used has also got the best out of the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, as best evidenced against Chelsea last weekend.
In their Champions League run last year set-pieces were key in victories at the Allianz Arena and at home to Barcelona, so for all the work Jurgen Klopp does on the training pitch, his work from corners and free-kicks is arguably proving to be the most decisive.
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By comparison, Manchester City have scored ten fewer from set-pieces in the same period, with 11 in 2018/19 and three in this campaign, and though they possess a threat from open play such a difference could prove advantageous to Klopp’s side over the course of the season.
That is particularly true when their defensive record from set-pieces is compared. Liverpool conceded only eight last year and none so far in 2019/20, but the Citizens have let in 12 from set-pieces in that time, with goals for Norwich and Tottenham exposing a weakness from corners that ended up costing them points.
In a title race which will likely go down to the wire such fine margins are vital, and if the Reds can maintain their current effectiveness in attack then they may be able to edge in front of Man City.