Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Sdwbvf]

On expected points us Newcastle and Norwich went down. And we underperformed expected points as well.

[mike]

I think xG is a good way of identifying where you were lucky/unlucky in a match. Like all statistics, it has a place and also has limitations. Regardless of that, I'm not sure whether Dean Smith is a good manager or not. hope that helps the debate.

[N'ZMAV]

I like the stats of the most goals win

[Allan C]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Along with a team of fabulous hard working footballers which I think is more to the point

[RamboandBruno]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Along with a team of fabulous hard working footballers which I think is more to the point

That will never catch on!

[Sdwbvf]

And the statisticians provide the data to inform the coaching which is what the players are working hard on.

[Drummond]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

What's odd about them?

[WilliamStanding]

They are even beginning to believe their own hype.

[john e]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Along with a team of fabulous hard working footballers which I think is more to the point

And a manager who’s probably the best in the business right now

[Brend'Watkins]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Along with a team of fabulous hard working footballers which I think is more to the point

And a manager who’s probably the best in the business right now

Hans-Dieter Flick might have something to say about that.

[ChicagoLion]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Along with a team of fabulous hard working footballers which I think is more to the point

And a manager who’s probably the best in the business right now

Hans-Dieter Flick might have something to say about that.

Or as he likes to known when the wind is blowing, Herr Flick.

[Brazilian Villain]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

What's odd about them?

Well, for a start they're statisticians. As the old joke goes, actuaries are people who find studying accountancy too exciting.

[Dave P]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Apparently last season they managed to outperform their xGD by a net 15 goals and bag 25 extra points as a result.
https://understat.com/league/EPL

And we underperformed by 5 points

It looked like we under performed by 2.23 points.  The stats we we should have gone down.  The stats can kiss my arse.

[exigo]

Don't Liverpool have a team of 20 odd statisticians? It doesn't seem to have done them any harm.

Apparently last season they managed to outperform their xGD by a net 15 goals and bag 25 extra points as a result.
https://understat.com/league/EPL

And we underperformed by 5 points

It looked like we under performed by 2.23 points.  The stats we we should have gone down.  The stats can kiss my arse.

Even allowing the ghost goal at home to Sheff U, we'd have had plenty more points if VAR had given the handball away at Arsenal, if the ref had followed the rules and not blown before the equaliser at Palace etc etc.

[paul_e]

Back on point, if you use that site to look at our games there's a pretty clear change in expected goals conceded before and after quarantine but more importantly the drop in goals scored isn't supported by the stats:
first 28 games: actual=34 expected=34.81
last 10 games: actual=7 expected=10.28

So the extra defensive stability didn't massively reduce the number or quality of the chances we were creating so the idea that we gave up attacking intent for stability isn't really supported by the analysis the club is using. I suspect that's the point Smith was making to the players to try to encourage them to keep to the plan and trust that the goals would come. Given 5 of those 7 goals came in the last 4 matches he'll believe he's been proven correct.