Liverpool recorded 52 touches inside Arsenal’s penalty area but created only one Opta-defined big chance, according to Andrew Beasley’s analysis in The Guardian. The figures frame a broader problem with breaking down deep defences beyond the 0–1 defeat at Anfield.
Access without comparable chance quality
At the time of the analysis, the Premier League average was one big chance for every 10.3 penalty-area touches. Liverpool were reaching dangerous territory without turning that access into equally strong shooting opportunities.
Their league total was 12 big chances, with only Coventry lower on 11. Everton striker Thierno Barry had 15 individually and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland had 14. These are Opta chance classifications, not goals or expected-goals totals.
The competitive context also differed. Liverpool had produced 12 big chances in three Champions League games, while facing more persistent low blocks domestically. They had conceded first in five of eight league matches, giving opponents fewer reasons to open their defensive shape.
Wirtz and the next attacking action
Florian Wirtz had not created a league big chance in the season covered by the report. His involvement in final-third circulation therefore had yet to translate into the penetration the author argues Liverpool need.
Another issue was what followed high regains. Only 16.7% of Liverpool’s recoveries in the final 40 yards produced shots, compared with a league average of 18.4%.
The useful indicators in subsequent matches are therefore how many big chances emerge from box access, and how often high recoveries lead to attempts. Those measures offer a more specific test of Andoni Iraola’s attacking adjustments than possession or territory alone.