http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/how-glen-took-the-fight-to-reading There is only one stat that really matters in football - the final score. But here at Liverpoolfc.com we know supporters love to delve through the facts and figures after each game, so we're allowing you to do just that with the help of Opta. And to make things a little clearer, we have broken down the statistics from the Reds' 1-0 win over Reading into sections which outline how both sides fared in terms of possession, how they rated defensively and going forward. Attacking Full-back Glen Johnson was awarded Liverpoolfc.com journalists' man of the match on Saturday in recognition of a display that showed his quality at both ends of the park. Solid at the back, he was at times the home side's most dangerous attacking outlet and the facts reflect his offensive approach to the game. Firstly, he saw more of the ball than any other Liverpool player, taking 92 touches. This bucks the trend for much of this season of Steven Gerrard (75 touches) and Joe Allen (71 touches) dominating the ball in the middle of the park for the Reds. Johnson peppered Alex McCarthy's goal with six efforts. Two of those were on target and one struck the post. Luis Suarez had more shots on goal than any other Liverpool player (10) but only one of his attempts was on target. Raheem Sterling struck in the 29th minute but he fired at goal five times in all. At the other end, the visiting forward-line failed to record a shot between them as Pavel Pogrebnyak, Adam Le Fondre and Jason Roberts were subdued by the Reds' defence. Instead, Reading's attacking threat was spearheaded by Garath McCleary in the midfield, who took three shots. Passing Saturday was the seventh time in the eight Barclays Premier League games this year that Joe Allen has recorded a pass completion rate of over 90 per cent. The 22-year-old found a Liverpool player with 95.2 per cent of his attempts. Such efficiency has only been bettered against Norwich at Carrow Road (95.8 per cent) and at West Brom on the opening day of the season (95.3 per cent). The only time his distribution accuracy has fallen below this marker was against Manchester United in September when the Wales international scored 87.8 per cent. He is the fourth-highest ranked player on the list of total passes made in the Premier League this season with 593 (Mikel Arteta leads the way with 764). Of the six midfielders fielded for various spells throughout the 90 minutes by Brian McDermott, Mikele Leigertwood was the most heavily involved. He took more touches than Allen, foiled the home side's advances with six interceptions and made seven tackles in the centre of the park. Gerrard created five shot assists for his teammates and fired six crosses into danger areas for red shirts to attack. In front of him, Nuri Sahin was similarly creative, playing five crosses and carving three chances. Defence Liverpool's defence shared the workload between them. Martin Skrtel cleared the ball 11 times and made three interceptions. Daniel Agger intercepted play five times and played the ball to safety on five occasions. Andre Wisdom cleared the ball nine times. Johnson was as diligent defensively as he was going forward. He blocked three Reading efforts, made four clearances, won 100 per cent of his aerial duels and intercepted twice. For the visitors, Shaun Cummings attempted five tackles but won just two of them as he fought to keep the dangerous Sterling at bay.
sometimes yes, but sometimes his decision in the choice of the shot ( chip, laces, curling, slot, etc) if just woeful. Example you are damn near in the 6, and you want to chip the keeper? Just place it, toe poke it in.
My god…. I have only gone and figured it out!!! He just needs to try a Meg-Shot every time if he tries to put it through the keepers legs, he will score hundred’s!
Joe Allens pass completion is top notch, if he keeps that up then he will be a big player for us this season.
I think he has a huge impact. When the game is slow or teams get back and defend he moves the ball quickly and therefore moves the defenders in front of him which is what creates the the holes in defences. Watch where he passes the ball and how quickly he moves it in the next game, he's a really clever player and is thinking ahead all the time.
Will be interesting to see what happens when Lucas gets back. Lucas, Allen, Sahin, Shelvey, Gerrard, Hendo, Suso all fighting for the 3 spots.
I agree long term he will be the sharp tip of our Midfield three, with Allen joining up play and Lucas being the BOSS looking after the Defence
What about Sahin? I had seen some articles about Sahin possibly joining at the end? No sure how true but would be really good to have.
