Four wins in a row. Alexander Isak scoring goals. Florian Wirtz finding his rhythm. Bradley Barcola starting to deliver the moments we bought him for.
There’s plenty to enjoy about Liverpool at the moment, and I think we should enjoy it. We’ve spent enough time worrying about this team, particularly after everything that happened last season.
Andoni Iraola is getting results, the defensive structure has improved, and those expensive attacking players are beginning to look like genuine match winners.
However, when I look at the numbers, I see several areas that still need attention. Liverpool are eighth in the Premier League for expected goals, 19th for big chances created and 11th for touches in the opposition box.
Those figures matter. They tell us there’s considerable room for improvement, even during this encouraging run.
Alexander Isak’s Numbers Show Liverpool Where Their Attack Must Improve
I’ve been banging this drum for a while now. Get Alexander Isak three shots a game, predominantly inside the penalty area, and Liverpool will benefit.
Against Brighton, he had exactly three shots. One on target, one blocked and another over the bar. He also scored with a lovely instinctive finish after excellent work from Barcola.
Look at the progression in his Premier League numbers.
Last season, Isak averaged 0.38 goals per 90 minutes. This season, that figure has climbed to 0.95. His expected goals have increased from 0.33 to 0.67, while shots have risen from 2.2 to 3.2.
Perhaps the most encouraging statistic is his opposition box touches, increasing from 3.8 to 5.7 per 90.
He’s already scored six league goals, with only Erling Haaland ahead of him at the time of our discussion. Nineteen of his 20 shots this season have come from inside the penalty area.
That’s where we want him.
Iraola has already spoken about Isak’s movement and the need for him to help the team create opportunities. I agree with that assessment.
There were moments against Brighton when his positioning made it difficult for teammates to find him, particularly during counterattacks.
We can improve that movement. We can improve the service. And if we’re getting Isak into positions where he can take even more shots inside the box, the possibilities are enormous.
The Brighton shooting statistics demonstrate why this matters.
Cody Gakpo took six shots, producing 0.38 xG. Isak took three, producing 0.36 xG.
That’s virtually identical expected goals from half the attempts.
Gakpo has contributed five assists this season, and I’ve praised the improvements in his game. His delivery and ability to create for others have been valuable.
Yet against Brighton, too many attacking moves ended with the wrong decision. We repeatedly broke into promising positions without finding the right final action.
Isak needs more opportunities. Barcola needs opportunities too. Liverpool must become smarter about where their shots are coming from.
Florian Wirtz’s Improvement Raises Questions About Szoboszlai
One of the most fascinating developments recently has been Florian Wirtz’s improvement while Dominik Szoboszlai has been largely absent.
Across the four matches we’ve been discussing, Szoboszlai has played approximately half an hour. During that period, Wirtz has started looking increasingly influential.
The statistical comparison is particularly interesting.
With Szoboszlai in the team, Wirtz averaged 2.1 chances created and 2.1 shots per 90 minutes. Without him in the starting XI, those numbers have risen to 4.6 chances created and 3.5 shots.
His touches have increased from 68 to 80 per 90, with passes attempted rising from 49 to 57.
It’s a small sample, and we have to acknowledge that. Nevertheless, the improvement deserves examination.
Wirtz has increasingly become the creative hub. He’s getting into positions where he can influence games, attempting more passes and creating opportunities.
We’ve talked repeatedly about balance in this Liverpool midfield.
Alexis Mac Allister is my first name on the team sheet. Wirtz is my number ten. That leaves one midfield position to consider.
Trey Nyoni has given Liverpool something interesting alongside Mac Allister. His willingness to tackle, compete and put his body on the line was evident again against Brighton.
Szoboszlai remains a very good footballer. His physical capacity, running power and ability to score goals are obvious qualities.
But the question is whether Liverpool’s strongest individual players necessarily produce their strongest collective midfield.
There’s also the right wing situation.
Liverpool have scored or created eight of their 11 Premier League goals through moves originating on the right, representing 72.7%.
Barcola, Victor Muñoz, Rio Ngumoha and Gakpo have all contributed from that side in different ways.
I previously understood the argument for Szoboszlai playing on the right. Looking at the options now, I struggle to see that happening.
He remains an important rotation option in midfield and someone who could replace Wirtz at number ten when required.
Whether he automatically returns to Liverpool’s strongest starting XI is a legitimate question.
Alexis Mac Allister’s Contract Situation Demands Attention
Mac Allister has been outstanding this season. For me, he’s Liverpool’s best midfielder, and his performances have been absolutely brilliant.
Yet we’re still discussing whether Liverpool will offer him a new contract.
Ben Jacobs has reported that Liverpool have no plans to offer a renewal. David Lynch has expressed doubts about whether committing to another lengthy contract would be sensible, particularly given Mac Allister’s age and the potential for physical decline.
Lewis Steele has also indicated there are currently no firm plans, while acknowledging that a different contract structure might be possible.
I don’t like hearing any of that.
Mac Allister’s current form makes the discussion uncomfortable, but we’ve seen Liverpool make difficult contractual decisions before.
We also spent the summer hearing that midfield recruitment would depend on departures, and Liverpool ultimately entered the season without the additional midfielder many of us wanted.
That experience matters when assessing what journalists are reporting now.
We can disagree with Liverpool’s approach. We can argue that Mac Allister deserves a renewal. What we cannot do is dismiss the possibility that the club will decide against offering one.
January Transfers Could Determine Liverpool’s Title Ambitions
Liverpool’s midfield shortlist is becoming clearer, even if the timing of any potential deal remains uncertain.
Lamine Camara, Alex Scott, Sergi Altimira and Manu Koné are among the names being discussed. Felix Nmecha has also featured in the conversation.
What interests me most is the type of midfielder Liverpool want.
Camara offers an all action profile, someone who can cover ground and disrupt opponents across midfield. I’ve compared that style to N’Golo Kanté.
Altimira offers something different. He’s closer to the traditional holding midfielder, a physical number six who can break up play and contribute in possession.
That’s the type of profile Steven Gerrard discussed when he spoke about Liverpool needing a strong midfield presence, someone capable of protecting the middle of the pitch in the manner of Fabinho.
I particularly like Altimira’s profile.
However, the biggest concern is the uncertainty surrounding January.
David Lynch isn’t expecting a midfield signing. Lewis Steele has suggested Liverpool’s shortlist could be aimed at the summer. Ben Jacobs has also indicated that Liverpool have less urgency about strengthening in January.
Three journalists providing similar indications should make us pay attention.
Liverpool face Arsenal next, and Lewis Steele made an interesting point when we discussed that fixture. Beat Arsenal and Liverpool must begin entering the title conversation.
If we’re within touching distance of the Premier League summit at New Year, surely that’s the moment to strengthen?
Imagine bringing in Camara or Altimira in January when Liverpool are three points from the top.
That could provide an enormous boost.
I like the players being linked. I like the profiles. I particularly like the idea of adding a physically imposing midfielder who can help Liverpool compete for the biggest prizes.
What I don’t like is the suggestion that we might wait until summer.
There’s a lot to be excited about with Liverpool right now. Isak is scoring, Wirtz is improving, Iraola is finding solutions and the team has won four consecutive matches.
But this season can still move in either direction.
Liverpool need to improve their attacking decisions, establish the right midfield balance and consider whether January recruitment could turn encouraging progress into a genuine title challenge.
We’ve seen what these players can produce. Now it’s about making sure Liverpool give themselves the best possible opportunity to sustain it.