Liverpool are worst in the Premier League at one thing and Arne Slot knows it
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Arne Slot made a pointed comment after the Champions League defeat at Galatasaray that highlights a big reason for Liverpool's struggles this seasonAmid the understandable disgruntlement at VAR and a rallying call ahead of next week's second leg, there was a rather more pointed comment from Liverpool boss Arne Slot in the wake of the Champions League loss in Istanbul on Tuesday.And it highlighted what he regarded a key difference between his team and Galatasaray on the night."You have to give credit to the way when they get a chance they play it like it’s the last chance of their lives," said Slot. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageIt also explains that despite having won more league games than Chelsea going into the weekend's games and standing on the same points, their goal difference is far inferior to that of the moneybags London outfit - which, given the tight nature of the battle for the top four, could ultimately prove decisive.So, what is going on?At the start of the weekend, when it comes to attempted shots in the Premier League, only Manchester United have had more than Liverpool's 457 this season.
Brentford, Manchester United and City lead that metric.It's all the more frustrating given Liverpool's statistic for goals per shot of 0.34 is only just behind that of, tellingly, Arsenal on 0.36 and Manchester City on 0.35 - both having had more penalties awarded this season. Curiously, Sunday's opponents Tottenham Hotspur also have 0.35 goals per shot but are yet to be awarded a spot kick in the top flight this campaign.Only Arsenal have had more touches in the opposing box than Liverpool and no team has had more possession of the ball.
In all competitions, Liverpool's conversion rate of what statisticians deem 'big chances' is 32.6%, which is behind Chelsea's 45.8%, Manchester City on 37.9%, Arsenal 35.4% and Manchester United 33.3%.Perhaps issues with ruthlessness have been as much in the mind as in the ability to convert chances. And that can be seen by Liverpool being something of a soft touch for too many struggling teams this season.Galatasaray, their impressive home European record notwithstanding, entertained the Reds during the league stage in September with confidence rocked by a 5-1 thrashing at Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening matchday, but were able to eke out a 1-0 success.Manchester United hadn't won on their travels in the league in eight games before a 2-1 triumph at Anfield in October, and the following month Nottingham Forest were 3-0 victors at Liverpool haven't not had a single away top-flight win all season.Bournemouth had won one of 14 games before beating Slot's side 3-2 at home in January while last week Wolves had triumphed in only two Premier League games all season but saw off Liverpool 2-1.And, of course, the Reds' unwanted ability to give hope to opponents was maybe never more evident than at Tottenham before Christmas when, despite playing the majority of the game against 10 men and the finale having just nine in opposition, Slot's men still only just scraped home unconvincingly 2-1.That should act as a warning at Anfield on Sunday when Tottenham, having now lost six games in a row after their 5-2 Champions League thrashing at Atletico Madrid and missing at least 12 players, come to visit.With the return leg against Galatasaray to come three days later, now would be the perfect time for Liverpool to start showing their opponents no mercy.