sport news Liverpool's attacking misery against their top six rivals is laid bare by ... trends now
If Liverpool are to miss out on the Premier League title this season, then it could be blamed on their misery in front of goal against their top-six rivals.
The Reds had 28 shots on goal at Manchester United on Sunday - the highest number the Red Devils have faced at Old Trafford on record - after previously having 34 attempts when the two sides played at Anfield in December.
Yet despite having a massive 62 chances across the two matches, they only netted two goals, as Sunday's 2-2 draw followed their goalless clash at Anfield.
It is not just Manchester United where they have lacked in front of goal however, as in the eight games they have played against sides currently in the top-six, they have had 141 shots and scored just 12 goals.
In those eight games they have taken eight points, compared to Man City who have 13 from nine games against top-six opponents and Arsenal's 12 from seven. It is those games that could cost Jurgen Klopp a swansong title.
Liverpool failed to make their chances count against Manchester United for the second time in the Premier League this season, as Sunday's 2-2 draw followed a goalless clash at Anfield
Jurgen Klopp's side are getting more shots than Man City or Arsenal when it comes to games against the top-six sides, yet are scoring fewer goals
Liverpool had 62 chances alone against Man United this season, only netting twice in the two league games
On Sunday, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai all squandered chances which could have kept the Reds at the top of the standings - rather than behind Arsenal on goal difference.
Klopp refused to be critical of his side's attackers, insisting they were the reason that they have 71 points this season.
Yet, a harsher judgement could argue that it's the same players as to why the Reds only have 71 points and not more.
Their two games against Manchester United should have seen them take an extra four point by converting two draws into victories, while they also failed to make their chances count in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City last month.
Against City, the Reds had 19 efforts on goal compared to City's 10, and a victory against the reigning champions would have been a huge step to Klopp potentially picking up his second title as Liverpool manager.
Liverpool's attack has been on song when it comes to playing sides outside of the top six, averaging 2.7 goals per game, with an average of 21.2 shots.
There is a significant drop-off though when it comes to matches against top-six opposition.
Their average of
