{
  "id": 2335904,
  "title": "Liverpool's numbers last season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/liverpools-numbers-last-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T08:13:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/liverpools-numbers-last-season-081349587.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool's disappointing 2024-25 season saw their underlying statistics justify their top-five finish, but new manager Andoni Iraola has much to improve upon. Instead of taking more shots, as the two Manchester clubs did, only 11 teams outperformed Liverpool in converting those chances. However, the main issue was not finishing but rather a lack of creativity, as 12 teams created easier scoring opportunities, which led Liverpool to rank sixth for expected goals. Despite conceding 53 goals, only three teams allowed fewer chances, and only the top two teams had a lower expected goals against figure. The only teams to concede a higher percentage of opponents' shots were relegated Wolves and Chelsea, while Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili both ranked among the worst shot-stoppers in preventing goals. This suggests that their performance may have been hampered by an unfavorable defensive environment.",
  "summary": "As disappointing as last season was for the 2024-25 champions, Liverpool's underlying numbers just about justified their top-five finish - but it is clear there is a lot for new manager Andoni Iraola to improve. While only the two Manchester clubs took more shots, 11 teams were better than Liverpool at converting them.",
  "key_points": [
    "Liverpool ranked sixth for expected goals, indicating a lack of creativity.",
    "Only 11 teams outperformed Liverpool in converting chances, despite their top-five finish.",
    "Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili ranked among the worst shot-stoppers."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}