Are these the problems that Liverpool need to address?

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By raw metrics; courtesy of Whoscored.com, the Reds should really be doing better, as their 16.3 shots per game is more or less tied for second in the league with Spurs, and just 0.7 shots fewer than leaders Man City, with their shots on target numbers (4.7 per game) also in the 4 – 6th range. The 54.6% possession number is also good for a solid 4-6th place, as Chelsea and Spurs are on 54.7, and 54.8 respectively. Surprisingly, Liverpool actually lead the top flight in shots from open play with 12.6!

Passing success is just below 79 percent, for a more middling 10th place, perhaps indicative of some trouble brewing, but it’s not as if Everton and Manchester United fans (3rd and 4th in successful pass percentage) are going to be telling their grandchildren about the glory days of the 2015/16 season.

The defensive side also looks good on the surface with 9.9 shots allowed, therefore being the third stingiest in the league behind the two Manchester teams. So at a first glance, Liverpool rank like a team that is challenging for the top four spots. As that is clearly not the case, let us dig deeper and find out why.