First Half Frustration, Second Half Brilliance: Liverpool’s Key Stats | OneFootball

Southampton at Anfield: A Game of Two Halves for Liverpool

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Southampton was a textbook case of a game split into two distinct halves. As Dr Phil Barter and Dave Davis analysed on Stat Me Up for Anfield Index, the match showcased Liverpool’s struggle in the first half and their eventual dominance in the second. While the scoreline suggested a comfortable win, the underlying stats and tactical shifts paint a more nuanced picture.

First Half: Sluggish, Disjointed, and Lacking Edge

Liverpool’s opening 45 minutes were, by all accounts, frustrating. “A terrible first half, bar a Curtis [Jones] chance,” Davis observed, as the Reds struggled to string passes together. Dr Barter backed this up with the numbers: “Twelve to four in shot count, on target three to two – we still had four big chances in the first half.” Despite these opportunities, Liverpool lacked sharpness.

The inefficiency in front of goal was summed up by Curtis Jones’ early miss. “That CJ chance in the first five minutes… It’s literally just got to hit the target,” Barter noted. “It’s a 20% chance. If that goes in, the game is completely different.”

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool dominated possession but lacked penetration. Field tilt – a metric that measures territorial dominance – stood at 85-15 in Liverpool’s favour, but it didn’t translate into a breakthrough. “The process might have been there in the first half,” Barter admitted, “but the final little bit wasn’t working very well.”

Southampton, to their credit, capitalised on Liverpool’s disorganisation. Their goal, as Davis put it, was reminiscent of previous defensive mishaps: “Last season, Arsenal… that kind of thing where Ali and Virgil decide between them who’s going to get out. I’ve seen that show before.”

Second Half: Ruthless, Efficient, and in Control

Arne Slot’s response at half-time was immediate and decisive. “Slot goes through them at half-time, makes three changes as your key stat,” Davis pointed out. “And then, obviously, it’s complete night and day.”

While possession levels didn’t shift dramatically, Liverpool’s effectiveness skyrocketed. “Four more shots, four more big chances, and this time, we didn’t let them have one,” Barter explained. Liverpool scored three times and shut Southampton out in the second half, despite only creating 0.79 expected goals (XG), a lower figure than the first half.

The positional adjustments made a difference. “We had width and players in and around zone 14 making links,” Barter highlighted. “That was the change for the second half.” Liverpool’s pressing was also more focused. “In the first half, apart from Trent, there weren’t really a lot of defensive actions in their half,” Barter noted. “Second half, we were on them, targeting their six and centre-halves.”

Harvey Elliott also made an impact. “Harvey created more threat than Dom [Szoboszlai],” Barter stated, emphasising his attacking influence.

Liverpool’s Title Charge Continues

Ultimately, the difference between the first and second half came down to efficiency, execution, and tactical shifts. “It ended up where we wanted to, but you’re right, it kind of flickered between,” Barter summarised. “We do our usual on-ball, off-ball, and then look for some players.”

As Liverpool continue their relentless push for the title, this match served as a reminder that even when they aren’t at their best, they have the resilience and quality to turn things around.