Playing for 90
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Can Liverpool win the Premier League title next year?

By Keith Lisenbee

Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on June 24, 2020. (Photo by PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on June 24, 2020. (Photo by PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Liverpool
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Liverpool’s offense is one of the best in the Top Flight, but they are unlikely to maintain their current performance level.

The Reds are second-best in the Premier League in goals and expected goals. They also have the second-highest non-penalty expected goals plus expected assists per 90 minutes (npxG+xA/90).

The front three of Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah are a dynamic and productive force. The trio has combined for 40 goals and 21 assists. Each player has a npxG+xA/90 of 0.62 or higher.

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Salah and Mané average over three shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (SCA/90). Two of Klopp’s recent offensive tactical innovations, long balls and using full-backs more effectively on the attack, has led to devastatingly effective results. Trent Alexander-Arnold is fourth-best in the league in goal creating actions per 90 minutes (GCA/90) and ninth in SCA/90.

Liverpool has an offensive goal conversion rate of +5.75, third-best in the division. Among the top five clubs on the table, only Leicester has a higher rating. Manchester City (-2.22), Chelsea (-6.44), and Manchester United (-5.68) all have struggled with converting their goal opportunities.

As great as the LFC front-line trio are, it is unlikely they will maintain their level of productivity and clinical finishing.

Unless Pep Guardiola turns into José Mourinho, City is going to continue to have the best offense in the league. If they improve their clinical finishing, then they will be even more dangerous. I would not put it past them to get another forward or midfielder to add more depth.

Chelsea, one of the worst at converting their chances, have both a nucleus of talented young and established in-coming forwards, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, that will undoubtedly improve their productivity.

Manchester United will also improve their goal-scoring prowess next year. Bruno Fernandes has energized the attack by creatively feeding Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial the ball in better scoring positions.

If Paul Pogba stays and they add another winger or striker, then United will be even more potent.

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