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Professional soccer

Liverpool's Centre Forwards Struggle to Make an Impact in Reds' Attack

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Liverpool's inconsistent form at the Champions League has raised questions about their centre forwards' ability to score goals. Despite Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez each scoring once this season, only two of the 22 goals scored by the Reds have come from players who started down the middle of the attack. The Uruguayan Nunez, in particular, has struggled to adapt to Liverpool's new playing style and was substituted before the hour on Wednesday for Diogo.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Reds' manager, Jurgen Klopp, has stated that the team needs to find different ways to position their centre forwards, as they are not the same player.
  • Liverpool's wingers have been the key to the team's goal-scoring success, with most goals coming from this position.
  • The Italian international Federico Chiesa is likely to miss out on the starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace due to injury.
  • The Hollander international Ryan Gravenberch has been praised for his strong start to the campaign, playing twice as many full games than the previous two seasons combined.
  • Slot believes that Gravenberch is approaching a new test of his Liverpool career and will need to keep up his high standards.

Statistics:

  • Liverpool has scored 22 goals in nine games this season.
  • Only two of these goals have come from players who started down the middle of the attack.
  • Diogo Jota has scored twice this season, but only one of those goals was scored while playing as the number nine.
  • Darwin Nunez has scored once this season.
  • Ryan Gravenberch has played twice as many full games this season than in the previous two seasons combined.

Sources:

  • Arne Slot believes Liverpool are not doing enough to make the most of their centre forwards. ( Pg. 1, Post )
  • Slot laid down a challenge to Liverpool's in-form Ryan Gravenberch. (Pg. 1, Post)
  • "It's both," said the Reds boss. "It's the challenge we as a staff always have, to bring the best out of the individuals. (Pg. 1, Post)

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