Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG timeline for the Liverpool game. The xG only records observed attempts and so doesn’t take into account any controversial incidents that aren’t attempts, such as Senesi’s handball that could easily have seen him sent off early in the game. The game was frantic at the start and the performance will have pleased many AFCB fans. Both sides had good chances early on. In the 4th minute, Van Dyke had a header from a corner that went over (rated 1 in 8). Bournemouth attacked immediately and Truffert’s cross found Semenyo stretching and he couldn’t keep it down (1 in 4). In the 9th minute, a flicked header by Evanilson (1 in 10) was cleared from the goal and the onrushing AFCB men. The game then went quiet. Liverpool were dominant, but not having any clear chances, it was almost as though AFCB hadn’t read the script that we should be beaten easily. The next big chance fell to Tavernier. A good move down the right saw the ball cut back by Smith, Brooks jumped over it, which may have fooled Tavernier, whose shot from near the penalty spot was weak (1 in 4). Two minutes later, we were behind. A good run by Etikite lost Diakité and he picked up a return ball outside the error. He attempted to nutmeg Senesi, who blocked this, but the ball luckily fell to the Liverpool man, who did well to control it and coolly send Petrovic the wrong way (rated 55%). Liverpool had confidence now and had another good chance from an Etikite header (rated 1 in 3). Near the stroke of half-time, Liverpool had more good chances from Salah (1 in 8 and brilliantly blocked by Truffert) and Etikite (1 in 5), whilst Evanilson shot wide (1 in 8) and AFCB had a potential appeal not given. At the break, the xG was Liverpool 1.47, AFCB 0.87, demonstrating Liverpool’s clinical finishing.
Liverpool doubled their lead at the start of the second half with Gakpo cutting in from the left and beating men as he ran across the area, finding the bottom right corner (1 in 8). Although AFCB had shown enough to mean this game wasn’t over if we didn’t let in another quickly. The next 15 minutes were largely dull until in the 62nd minute, Wirtz dragged one just wide of the far post (1 in 7). Next minute, AFCB scored the classic counterattack goal. Adams played an expert pass through to Brooks on the wing, who picked out Semenyo with a superb cross, and it went past Allison, who got something on it, but couldn’t keep it out (rated 45%). 2-1 and game on. AFCB were building up a head of steam and Liverpool began to look rattled, with Evanilson flicking a header over and then 4 minutes later, we broke again. Traore won the ball on the edge of the area, flipped it to Semenyo who ran at the defence, who backed off, and backed off, and with the obvious ball out to the left where we had a man over, Semenyo used the defender as a shield and placed it in the bottom corner (1 in 5). 2-2. That was our last attempt as Liverpool turned up the pressure, although they failed to create any real chances until the 88th minute. Salah crossed through a crowd and Petrovic knocked it up into the six-yard box. Both Winterburn and Diakité went for it and neither cleared it fully and Chiesa finished well through the crowd (1 in 6). At least it wasn’t the dodgy penalty decision I’d been expecting. In the final minutes, it was sealed when Hill hadn’t counted on Salah being able to chase down a ball so quickly and the Egyptian managed to cut inside and place one into Petrovic’s left-hand side. (rated 1 in 9).
The final xG was Liverpool 2.21, AFCB 1.70, although Understat had it less close than OPTA at 2.33 and 1.57.
xG timeline.png
The team largely picked itself with the players that have left and the incomings hopefully arriving soon. The one surprise was that Diakité (18) started in front of Hill, having only had a few training sessions. Adams (12) was in a CDM position, allowing Truffert (3) and Smith (15) to push forward. Scott (8) and Tavernier (16) were equally advanced, with the wingers Semenyo (24) and Brooks (7) the most advanced. With limited options on the bench,h Iraola made later substitutions than normal. The first was Scott for Traore (25), the second at 2-2 was Winterburn (47) for Brooks (7), with, I think, Tavernier shifting to the left with Winterburn pressing. Having conceded to make it 3-2 then Iraola took off Adams and Smith, replacing them with a forward Kroupi (22) and someone with more aerial threat in Hill (23)
Av Pos.png
Looking back at the individual stats, it made me realise I hadn’t observed the game that well. Most touches were Tavernier, who I’d thought had been quiet; similarly, I didn’t expect Diakité to have attempted most passes. Here’s the full set.
Tavernier had the highest number of touches with 65. He had the most touches in the opponent’s half (36) and joint-most with Brooks in the final third with 27.
Touches.png
Diakité attempted most passes with 41, being successful with 30. Tavernier attempted most in the opposition’s half (19) and in the final third with 5. We averaged 70% completion with only Scott from the starting 11, having a value over 80%.
All passes.png
Pass Opp Half.png
Our players tried to take on a man 22 times, being successful 8 times. Semenyo and Tavernier both attempted it 5 times, with Tavernier being successful 3 times.
Take Ons.png
AFCB attempted 20 crosses, being successful with 5, two each from Brooks and Truffert and 1 from Senesi.
Crossing.png
AFCB players were tackled 19 times, and Semenyo was tackled 5 times.
Tackled.PNG
AFCB created 8 chances (3 big, created by Brooks, Smith and Truffert). Brooks created 3 chances with 5 others with 1 each. Liverpool created 15 chances, 3 big.
Chances Created.png
We had 10 attempts (3 big), noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 3 times. Liverpool had 19 attempts, 3 big, and hit the target 10 times. Evanilson and Semenyo both had 3 attempts. Semenyo had 2 big chances and Tavernier 1.
Attempts.png
AFCB had 28 touches in the opposition’s penalty area (8 from Tavernier). Liverpool had 36 touches in our penalty area.
Pen Area Touches.png
The Opta expected goals had Semenyo most likely to score (0.91) followed by Tavernier at 0.32 and Evanilson at 0.29. For assists, Brooks (0.19) was top, with only Truffert (0.13) of the others above 0.10.
xG and xA.png
AFCB won 18 of 47 aerial duals. Semenyo won most (5 out of 11 duels).
Aerial.PNG
AFCB won 17 of 20 tackles. Adams won 5 from 5.
Tackles.png
According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to a chance.
Tavernier made most defensive actions with 17. Adams made the most interceptions (4), Tavernier made the most recoveries (10). Senesi made the most clearances (11) and Adams and Truffert made one block each.
IRCB.png
The foul count was AFCB 10, Liverpool 6. Semenyo and Truffert made the most fouls (2). Scott was fouled twice.
Fouls.png
Your say…
Put in the mixer said…
I’d say Winterburn and Diakite going for the same ball and heading each other, then the ball falls to Chiesa was an error that led to a chance….Opta need to look at that one again! – To join the conversation, please click here.