Following Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain, manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment in the team's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Despite creating 1.92 Expected Goals, the Reds were unable to find the back of the net, a trend that has persisted throughout the season. Slot noted that this was just one of many instances where Liverpool has underperformed in terms of converting chances into goals. The team's xG conversion rate in the Champions League has been particularly poor, with Liverpool scoring 24 goals from 27.8xG, the largest underperformance among quarter-finalists.
However, the picture is slightly different in the Premier League, where Liverpool's goals total is only 0.65 below their xG total. While this is still a concern, it is not as dire as their Champions League performance.
The team has missed 59 of 86 clear-cut openings in the top flight, with players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk struggling to convert big chances. Injuries have also played a significant role in Liverpool's struggles, with key players like Alexander Isak, Curtis Jones, and Florian Wirtz missing significant time. The team's plan to field a new-look attack featuring Isak, Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike has been hindered by injuries, with Slot noting that they have only played together for 88 minutes all season. The manager also expressed frustration with the officials, citing several instances where decisions have gone against his team.
The overturning of a penalty awarded to Alexis Mac Allister on Tuesday was just the latest example, with Slot referencing similar incidents against Brentford and Leeds. Despite the challenges, Slot remains optimistic about the team's future, citing the quality of young players like Ryan Gravenberch, Ekitike, and Wirtz. However, the pressure is on to secure a top-five finish in the league and qualify for the Champions League next season.
With six games remaining, Liverpool needs to capitalize on their potential and produce results to ensure a successful campaign.