Why are Liverpool struggling for Premier League goals?
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It is a small sample size and still so early in the Premier League season, but notable that in Liverpool's seven matches so far they have scored just nine goals. That is in stark contrast to high-flying Brighton, who have already scored 23 top-flight goals and visit Anfield on Sunday, where Liverpool are awaiting their first home win in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola.Across three Champions League games and a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham, Iraola's side have been the entertainers, scoring 15 goals.
"They are different kind of games and different kind of opposition, I think more than [the difference being] the competitions, it is who you have played against."Iraola's side are definitely defending better in the Premier League, with three clean sheets and eight goals conceded, compared to eight conceded in four games in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.But Liverpool have conceded first in four of those seven league games and naturally that makes it tougher to break teams down, particularly if the opposition set up into a low block.Iraola's indication that it is more to do with the style of the teams they're facing is interesting.In his first press conference as Liverpool boss, he was asked by BBC Sport about the importance of his core principles. Other teams do not give you that situation straightaway because they will try to control the game and play in your half."I am looking forward to spending as much time inside the opposition half - with the ball and without the ball - because I feel we are closer to scoring from that position."Liverpool have faced a low block in 28% of their games - more than any other Premier League side - while the 15% of their games facing a high block is the fewest.Clearly, a number teams prefer to set up against Liverpool with a low block and Iraola is realising the reality of it is slightly different - but now it is about breaking through and they have made an array of signings, with the intention of doing just that.
"You have more moments of technical brilliance in European football so the players they [Liverpool] have recruited don't have to adapt to that level but are probably around the elite of that level," a current analyst for a Champions League team says."That results in more chances and more goals but the Premier League is completely different. Before this weekend, eight teams - including newly promoted Ipswich and struggling Manchester United - have scored more than the Reds.In mitigation, it's worth noting that Arsenal have scored 11 Premier League goals this season and won the league in 2025-26 with an average of 1.87 goals per game.With Liverpool's next league games coming up against Brighton, who won’t be afraid to try and control the game, and the reigning champions in Arsenal, Iraola will be hoping that his attack can click and deliver a statement performance.