Fairly straight-forward. As usual, click to expand images. A few random notes:
• Reasonable degree of variance from Liverpool's two main penalty takers: Kuyt and Gerrard. Kuyt went to the keeper's left four times (one saved), to the keeper's right twice, and down the middle once – with six of seven strikes along the ground. Gerrard went to the keeper's left three times, to the keeper's right twice, and down the middle once (which he blasted over).
• Liverpool haven't had the best of luck when it hasn't been one of the two main penalty takers. Ngog buried his against Steaua low to the keeper's right, but Cole saw his tame, waist-high effort saved and Suarez blasted well, well over.
• Odd to see that Lucas is joint-top for penalties won over the last three seasons, tied with N'Gog and Suarez. But he never gets into the box. Also noteworthy that Suarez has won Liverpool's last three spot kicks. In case you hadn't realized, he's quite good at football.
• Strikers accounted for eight of Liverpool's 17 penalties over this time frame (N'Gog, Suarez 3; Torres 2). Midfielders won six (Lucas 3; Gerrard, Maxi, Spearing 1) and defenders won three (Johnson 2, Kyrgiakos 1).
• The last time Liverpool missed consecutive penalties was in 2006-07: Bellamy and Gerrard both had spot kicks saved in November and December 2006, against Birmingham (Carling Cup) and Fulham respectively. Incidentally, Gerrard blasted home the rebound from his, and Liverpool won both games regardless. That was the only time Liverpool missed consecutive penalties under Benitez.
• Liverpool only won four penalties in 2009-10, compared to 11 in 2010-11 and two through nine games in 2011-12. That's an impossibly low number, especially when compared to Benitez's other seasons: Liverpool won 10 in 2008-09, eight in 2007-08, eight in 2006-07, 10 in 2005-06, and seven in 2004-05. A long out-of-date observation, but luck truly was against that season's side.
5 comments :
Thanks for the post, Nate. What say you re: Kuty continuing as the pk taker?
To put it diplomatically, I'd say Liverpool are spoiled for choice. Both Gerrard and Kuyt are excellent penalty takers. As is Charlie Adam; I'm still surprised Suarez took the spot kick against Sunderland ahead of Adam. Hard to argue with Dalglish picking any one of those three.
Im glad gerrard is back if only for this reason
Kuyt always goes the same way and doesnt put enough power
Charlie adam has the skill and confidence to take a good one but then again you could've said the same about suarez
fernando torres has taken penalties for liverpool?when?
@Anonymous
Torres never took penalties for Liverpool. Gerrard, Kuyt, Ngog, Cole, and Suarez have taken penalties since the beginning of '09-10. That's the first graphic.
The second graphic, which I think you're referring to, shows where Torres won penalties. Two: at United and vs West Ham last season.
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