Liverpool's unwanted record against Arsenal shows creativity problem under Andoni Iraola - Between the Lines

Liverpool set an unwanted record against Arsenal as they failed to register a shot on target for the first time in 442 Premier League home games, dating back to when records began in 2003.

The ignominious statistic was confirmed by Opta, who initially credited Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister with shots on target but later ruled them as a blocked shot and overhit pass.

Liverpool's finishing was wayward. They were also incorrectly denied a penalty. But a lack of creativity was the bigger issue. Their 17 shots were worth a meagre 1.05 expected goals. It was just the latest example of them struggling to create high-quality chances.

Szoboszlai and the shot location issue

Liverpool's total of 140 shots this season is the fifth-highest among Premier League sides. But they rank much lower for both goals scored and expected goals, in ninth and 11th respectively.

Their shot locations help to explain the disparity. Closer-range shots typically have a higher probability of going in. Liverpool, though, have taken a large chunk of their total from long distance.

The Reds have the fourth-highest percentage of shots from outside the box in the division at 39 per cent, behind only Manchester United, Hull and Newcastle, all of whom sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table nine games into the season.

By contrast, Liverpool's proportion of shots from inside the six-yard box is the sixth-lowest in the division, at eight per cent.

It is worth noting the two sides with the highest percentages of shots from inside the six-yard box are leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City on 17 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

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The problem is summed up by Dominik Szoboszlai, who has taken a higher percentage of his shots from outside the box than any other player in the Premier League this season, at 93 per cent.

Of his 14 shots, the only one taken from inside the box was the penalty he converted against Newcastle on the opening day. He has not found the net in the competition since.

Creativity lacking as Wirtz struggles

Iraola is not opposed to long-range shooting.

His Bournemouth side had more shots from outside the box than any other Premier League team last season.

In conversation with Sky Sports two years ago, he explained that he encouraged Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier and Lewis Cook to try their luck because of their long-range shooting ability.

Iraola likely feels he has players capable of similar at Liverpool, Szoboszlai being a prime example. But the shot location issue comes back to a lack of creativity too. Liverpool are struggling to get the ball to their forwards in more dangerous positions.

Their total of 30 first-half touches in the opposition box against Arsenal was a Premier League record. Mostly, though, they have found it difficult to get it there. Their 250 touches in the box this season put them eighth among Premier League sides.

They sit even lower for Opta-defined big chances created.

Amazingly, despite spending nearly £500m on their attack in the last two years, Liverpool have only created seven big chances in nine games so far, putting them second bottom among Premier League sides, between newly-promoted Coventry and Hull.

Unable to create high-quality chances, the emphasis on speculative efforts from distance has increased, giving them an average of 0.09 expected goals per shot, which is one of the lowest in the division.

Alexander Isak has overperformed in front of goal, scoring six Premier League goals from shots worth 4.35 expected goals thanks in part to his ability to convert more difficult chances.

But Florian Wirtz's creative output this season typifies Liverpool's quantity-versus-quality issue in terms of their creativity.

Despite ranking second in the league for chances created, with 22, Wirtz has yet to create a single Opta-defined big chance. For context, Pascal Gross, the only player ahead of him for chances created, with 24, has created seven big chances.

Wirtz, signed at considerable expense last year to assume playmaking responsibilities for Liverpool, also ranks way down in 37th in the Premier League for expected assists, on 1.08, highlighting, again, the limited quality of the chances he has created.

Low blocks impacting Liverpool

Liverpool clearly need more from their £116.5m playmaker. But other factors have contributed to their creativity issues too.

The Arsenal game was the fifth in the Premier League this season in which Liverpool have conceded the opening goal.

As a result, only five sides - Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Ipswich, Newcastle and Coventry - have spent a higher percentage of time trailing than Liverpool across the season's first nine games.

Game state is hugely important because it often dictates how a team is able to play. Iraola favours quick, vertical attacks but by conceding first in so many games, Liverpool have allowed their opponents to sit back in a compact shape and protect their lead.

The Arsenal game, when Kai Havertz put Mikel Arteta's side in front after 17 minutes, was the latest example. Liverpool have now spent a higher percentage of time building up against low blocks than any other Premier League side this season at 27 per cent.

It is naturally more difficult to create high-quality chances when opponents put bodies behind the ball and restrict the space available between the width of the posts, particularly when a team's approach is tailored towards transitions and counters.

As such, Liverpool have only won one of the five games in which they have conceded the opening goal this season, compared to all three of the ones in which they have scored first.

Starting stronger could help ease their creativity issues, forcing Liverpool's opponents to come out and leave gaps. What's certain is that Iraola needs solutions sooner rather than later.

Read last week's Between the Lines

Michael Carrick is the latest Man Utd manager to come under pressure but has poor recruitment left him with a mid-table team?

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Liverpool's unwanted record against Arsenal shows creativity problem under Andoni Iraola - Between the Lines