WHY ARE LIVERPOOL STRUGGLING FOR PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS?

Liverpool have scored freely in cup competitions, but their Premier League attack has been harder to ignite.

Andoni Iraola’s side managed nine goals in their opening seven league matches, compared with 15 across four Champions League and Carabao Cup fixtures.

Defensive opponents leave less room

One possible explanation is how opponents approach Liverpool. Teams defending deep restrict the space available for quick attacks, forcing Iraola’s players to find openings through crowded defensive lines.

That presents a different challenge from more open European encounters.

Conceding first adds difficulty

Liverpool fell behind in four of those seven league games. Chasing an equaliser can become harder when opponents protect their advantage by sitting deeper.

Finishing is only part of the problem

Liverpool’s expected-goals figure stood at 10.9, slightly above their nine actual goals. That suggests missed chances have contributed, but do not fully explain the scoring gap.

Iraola has acknowledged the contrast, pointing towards differences in opponents rather than competitions alone.

With Brighton visiting Anfield and Arsenal next on the league schedule, Liverpool need to turn their attacking quality into more consistent chances and goals.