Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Liverpool game. Liverpool were the better team but the 4-0 scoreline flattered them. The first half was devoid of any real chances although there were multiple times that they were threatening positions for both teams. One for AFCB was when Sinisterra fed Kluivert whose ball went straight across the 6-yard box with neither Christie or Solanke getting a touch. At half time the xG was AFCB 0.10 Liverpool 0.11. Liverpool scored quickly in the second half, a long ball found them 4 on 3, with Hill out of position, and they worked the ball well to give Nunez a clear chance which he put inside Neto’s left-hand post (rated 37%). The league leaders were controlling the game and had a clutch of minor chances, we had one through Kluivert, before Jota made it 2-0 in the 69th minute. Zabarnyi and Nunez tussled for the ball with neither making contact and Gakpo picking up the loose ball. He fed Jota who crashed it in off the near post. (rated 1 in 9). Jota’s second goal, 9 minutes later was much more fortunate. A poor attempt at a shot, spun back to him to rifle it into the far post (1 in 8). When events like this happen, you know it won’t be your day. Aaron’s going off late in the game didn’t help although this when we had our best chances. Brooks was played through by Christie and faced with Alisson put it wide (2 in 5). Moore also had a chance from distance with Alisson in No Man’s Land but shot wide (1 in 7). But Liverpool scored late in the game when Gomez found Nunez who did a sliding volley, which also went in off Neto’s far post (rated 1 in 2, which feels high given the striker needed to stretch). 4-0 to Liverpool although the final xG was AFCB 0.83, Liverpool 1.53, although Opta had it closer at AFCB 1.37, Liverpool 1.57.
Man of the match against Liverpool
Hill
Tavernier
Christie
Sinisterra
Someone else
The formation shows that Aarons (37) played nearly as high as Sinisterra (17) with a bank of four in midfield with Aarons, Sinisterra, Cook (4) and Christie (10). Kluivert (19) was high with he and Tavernier (16) providing support to Solanke (9). The first sub was like for like at left back (although Kelly (5) played higher than Hill (23), Scott (14) came on for Sinisterra with Kluivert moving more to the left. In the 69th minute, Brooks (7) came on for Kluivert, with Tavernier moving to the left. In the final change, Moore replaced Solanke (presumably not wanting to risk an injury as the game was gone at 3-0 and Philip (29) came on for Cook.
Christie had the most touches with 73 followed by Tavernier with 68. Tavernier had the most touches in the opposition half (50) and in the final third with 42. This is second this season only to his own record of 50 at Spurs.
We had 31 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Solanke having 9, Tavernier 7 and Kluivert 6.
Christie attempted 47 passes. Christie attempted most in the opposition’s half (25) followed by Tavernier with 24, with Tavernier attempting most in the final third with 19. We averaged 72% completion, with only Cook, Mepham and Solanke being over 80% or over, from the starting eleven.
AFCB attempted 18 crosses, being successful with 3, 2 from Brooks and 1 from Tavernier. Against a Van Dijk and Konate, the fact we succeeded less than normal was not unexpected.
Our players tried to take on a man 34 times being successful 17 times. Brooks was successful 3 times from 4 and Sinisterra 3 times from 5.
We created 9 chances (2 big, provided by Brooks and Christie). Liverpool created 13 chances with three big.
We had 11 attempts (two big for Brooks and Moore) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target once. Liverpool had 14 attempts, three big, and hit the target 7 times. Kluivert had 3 shots (our highest number).
AFCB won 9 of 30 aerials duals. Hill won 2 from 3
We won 27 out of 35 tackles. Tavernier won 7 from 7 and Hill and Scott both won 3 from 3.
Hill made the most defensive actions with 16 despite playing less than an hour. Christie made most interceptions and joint most recoveries with Tavernier, Hill made most clearances and Hill, Mepham and Zabarnyi made one block each.
According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to chances or goals.
The foul count was AFCB 9, Liverpool 12. Cook and Mepham made the most fouls (2) and Aarons was fouled the most (3).
The Opta expected goals had Brooks (0.51) as most likely to score for AFCB with Moore (0.41) next. For assists, Christie (0.26) and Tavernier (0.16) were our only players above 0.10.
