Liverpool’s wasted chances may have cost them the league title. The loss against Everton makes it look very dark for Liverpool’s chances.
Against the city rival, they had 13 shots and based on the number of chances, so-called xG, Expected goals based on goal chances.they should have scored 2.02, but it ended with zero goals.
This was no exception. One of those who have to endure harsh criticism is Mohamed Salah.
– I think the big question for the new manager who comes in is what the future holds for Salah, and it’s probably the first time we ask ourselves that question, says Liverpool legend and current football expert Jamie Carragher.
Salah has had a terrible form curve. Before Klopp’s announcement, he scored on 21.5 percent of his shots, after that he has been down to 8.6 percent.
– Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s most important goalscorer, but he has gone all the way up the ladder. He has looked like a shadow of his former self, especially since returning from injury (early March). He is a Liverpool legend, a superstar, but has been so far away, says the Sky Sports expert.
Liverpool have scored 75 league goals. According to figures from Understat, they should have scored 81.67 goals in the Premier League. In comparison, title competitor Arsenal has scored 7.98 goals more than expected. Manchester City is also above with 1.98 more than expected xG.
What makes it all even bleaker for Liverpool is that it has only gotten worse, and especially after Jürgen Klopp announced at the end of January that he is leaving at the end of the season. The results have been worse and Liverpool have wasted even more chances in front of goal.
– Certain players may have started to think about what their future also looks like, and they will start talking to other clubs. I’m not saying it’s Klopp’s fault he announced it. It may have been close to being leaked and maybe he had to say it, but the announcement has definitely had an effect on the players, says former Manchester United and Everton player Wayne Rooney on Sky Sports’ broadcast.
Mohamed Salah has 17 league goals, just three behind top scorers Erling Braut Haaland and Cole Palmer. But only two of Salah’s goals have been scored in the last seven games.
Understat has figures showing that Mohamed Salah has underperformed with 1.82 fewer goals than he should have scored and Luis Diaz 3.54. below on xG. It looks worst for Darwin Nunez. The striker has scored eleven goals in the league, but has underperformed with 7.8 xG.
– It has come to the point that it is not possible to defend him. You want him to do well, because there is so much to like about his effort. But after two years at the club, and this year as they have gone after the title, they need the striker to score away from home against Manchester United, Everton and Atalanta, says Carragher.
