Why it is not his fault that Liverpool are not scoring more goals

However, despite the negative light these stats could put on Downing I feel there is a much better explanation for his season statistics so far – it is more-than-likely that the very large 0’s next to Downing’s name are symptomatic of Liverpool’s impotency in front of goal. Because while it came as a great surprise to me that he had notched up zero assists, I have seen him set up dozens of chances for his team-mates but they won’t ever count and will be consigned to history, no matter how impressive his build-up play; it is only the end-product that is remembered.

If they had scored just 5% more of those 154 opportunities we’ve created Downing’s assist column would look far healthier. So while he drastically needs to improve his chances-into-goals ratio (much like the entire rest of the team, as I’ve pointed out twice recently) his assists statistics will start to improve naturally, once his team-mates starts putting away some of the excellent chances he has been creating for them week-on-week.

It is just a shame for Downing that his position sees him judged on goals created and – to a lesser extent – goals scored, as if it wasn’t for the whole squad’s profligacy in front of goal, his promising start to the season would have instead become an excellent start to his Liverpool career.

Article courtesy of David Tryer from Live4Liverpool

4 responses to “Why it is not his fault that Liverpool are not scoring more goals”

  1. ernst says:

    daglish is too sentimental in his team selection,and he js kiling the team.after wasting money on english overated players,he stil dont want acept his grosmisconduct and forge ahead.instead insist on plying them at the expence of our club.pls hav carrol,henderson and dowing that wort #75miln improve our team?daglish is short of footbal idea and should be sack.wht position is newcastle,and spurs?

    • Word says:

      Your comment is almost laughable. Although it does seem sentimental, we are 4 points from 3rd place. Sunderland, Norwich and Man U should have been victories and we are in 2nd place. Your comment sounds more end of the year wrap up. Gross misconduct is harsh as well. We got Swansea this weekend. I expect to be at 21 points. Season is awfully young.

  2. Word says:

    “Downing’s name are symptomatic of Liverpool’s impotency in front of goal. Because while it came as a great surprise to me that he had notched up zero assists, I have seen him set up dozens of chances for his team-mates but they won’t ever count and will be consigned to history, no matter how impressive his build-up play; it is only the end-product that is remembered.”

    Wrong! This doesn’t get consigned to history. To a fan, it could be consigned to history. To Commoli and Dalglish, this is what they remember and like about Downing. The crosses will connect, the goals will start going in. There is always a correction to stats. LFC has not even close to beginning their peak form as a team. 28 more games to go and everything is still in plain sight.

  3. kagutsuti says:

    I’ve read somewhere that Liverpool is the team who have the most attempts to goal, but we don’t have the most goals.
    So why?
    Probably because our strikers are talented but still too young and not enough experienced, I hope in january we’ll buy a great striker to help Carrol to progress, to help Suarez to score and to help Downing to give assist

    Come on REDS
    YNWA