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There are still things for Andoni Iraola to fix, especially the duel numbers and the chances conceded, but after the flat Fulham draw this felt like a much more encouraging night. My latest piece for It Was Always...Liverpool 👇

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For me, this was less about complete control and more about energy, resilience, rotation working properly and Liverpool taking their moments.

🔴 Liverpool still scored three excellent goals 🔴 23 tackles, 14 interceptions and 31 clearances from the Reds 🔴 Lewis Koumas impressed 🔴 Rio Ngumoha grew into the game 🔴 Mamardashvili made five saves 🔴 Szoboszlai finished it with an absolute rocket

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 16/09/2026

Liverpool are through in the Carabao Cup after a 3-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield, but this was a much more interesting game than the scoreline suggests. 🔴 Liverpool made 10 changes 🔴 Spurs had 56% possession 🔴 Spurs won the xG battle 2.33 to 1.53

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Find the right players. Find value. Give Andoni Iraola players he can improve. Spend big when it makes sense, but also find the next Robertson before everyone else does. My latest piece for It Was Always...Liverpool 👇 www.itwasalwaysliverpool.com/p/richard-h...

itwasalwaysliverpool.com

Richard Hughes Leaves Liverpool With A Mixed Legacy And A Big Question Over What Comes Next

There were positives during Richard Hughes’ time at Liverpool, but the club’s recruitment has lost some of the clarity and cleverness it once had. The next sporting director has to bring that back.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 16/09/2026

But there were also too many public transfer sagas, too many deals that felt reactive, and a growing sense that Liverpool had lost some of the clarity that once made their recruitment so strong. For me, the next sporting director has to bring that identity back.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 16/09/2026

Richard Hughes has left Liverpool for Al Hilal, but how should we really judge his time at Anfield? There were big positives, including Arne Slot arriving and winning the Premier League in his first season, plus some huge signings.

Liverpool 0-0 Fulham: A Dull Anfield Draw Leaves Iraola With Questions to Answer

There’s also a look ahead to tonight’s Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham, where a major rotation feels inevitable. Read my latest piece for It Was Always...Liverpool 👇 www.itwasalwaysliverpool.com/p/liverpool...

itwasalwaysliverpool.com

Liverpool’s goalless draw with Fulham was not a disaster, but it was undeniably disappointing.

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I’ve taken a deeper look at the tactical issues, the lack of sharpness after Atlético Madrid, Liverpool’s problems getting Alexander Isak involved, and why Andoni Iraola still has work to do with the attacking structure at Anfield.

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🔴 1.28 xG to 0.70 🔴 124 sprints to 102 Yet Fulham had more touches inside the Liverpool box, and that probably sums up the problem better than anything else. Plenty of the ball, plenty of territory, nowhere near enough real threat.

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A frustrating afternoon at Anfield. Liverpool had 56% possession, 14 shots, 1.28 xG and created four big chances against Fulham, but somehow it still ended 0-0. The numbers tell an interesting story though. 🔴 239 passes in the Fulham half 🔴 14 shots to 10 🔴 4 big chances to 1

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I’ve taken a deeper look at the tactical changes, the chance creation, the pressing issues and how Liverpool managed the game after coming from behind to take all three Champions League points. 📊 Plenty of FotMob data included. Read my latest piece for It Was Always...Liverpool 👇

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Atlético had 55% possession, but so much of it came in their own half. Liverpool completed 218 passes in Atlético territory compared with just 165 at the other end. That tells you far more about the game than the possession figure alone.

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They did exactly that. 🔴 14 shots to 9 🔴 1.62 xG to 0.91 🔴 4 big chances to 1 🔴 33 touches in the opposition box to 18 🔴 12 of Liverpool’s 14 shots came from inside the penalty area

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 09/09/2026

Liverpool went behind against Atlético Madrid, but what followed was probably the most encouraging part of the night. They adjusted. Andoni Iraola’s original pressing plan was causing problems, Atlético were finding spaces, and Liverpool had to solve it while the game was happening.

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Liverpool FC shirt sponsors certainly have a habit of sticking around! Crown Paints and Candy to Carlsberg and Standard Chartered, some of the most iconic shirts in football history and the famous names wearing them A look back at Liverpool’s shirt sponsorship history 👇 #lfc youtu.be/wqb5PRsNAtc

youtu.be

Liverpool FC: How Shirt Sponsors Defined Our Greatest Eras

YouTube video by Anfield Index Extra

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 07/09/2026

Liverpool won 2-0 at Ipswich, but the numbers tell a much more interesting story than the scoreline alone. Isak’s finishing, Iraola’s pressing structure, aerial dominance and second-half game management all stood out. My latest for It Was Always... Liverpool 👇

Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 26/07/2026

Josh Acheampong, Guela Doue and Ismaelo Ganiou all fit the profile, but who would be the smartest signing for the Reds? We take a closer look at three exciting options, plus several honourable mentions who could solve Liverpool’s defensive dilemma. Read the full article below 👇

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 26/07/2026

Liverpool need defensive reinforcements, and Andoni Iraola has already hinted at the type of player he wants. A versatile defender capable of covering both right back and centre back could be the next arrival at Anfield.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 26/07/2026

It's been a little while since I sat down and wrote something, but with Liverpool's first preseason match under Andoni Iraola, it felt like the right time to get back at it. Plenty of encouraging signs, some excellent goals, and one injury concern that will have Reds watching nervously.

Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 22/06/2026

Liverpool's academy recruitment has delivered some remarkable talents over the years. Could Xavier Parker be the next one? The 16-year-old Manchester City midfielder is attracting serious interest from the Reds, and after digging into the numbers and analysing his game, it's easy to see why.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 12/06/2026

Three red cards in the opening game had many wondering if FIFA officials were preparing for a World Cup crackdown. Then South Korea v Czech Republic came along and produced just one yellow card in the 96th minute.

Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 10/06/2026

No more strolling off the pitch. No more endless delays at goal kicks. More VAR intervention. Potential red cards for new offences. The 2026 World Cup won't just be bigger, it could fundamentally change how football is played and officiated.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 27/05/2026

My latest for It Was Always...Liverpool looks at the numbers behind the 1-1 draw with Brentford, why Arne Slot’s side mentally collapsed after scoring, and whether Champions League qualification says more about the poor standard of the Premier League than Liverpool themselves.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 27/05/2026

Liverpool’s season ended exactly how it deserved to, flat, fragile and full of warning signs.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 25/05/2026

From European glory in Prague to Championship football in just three years. West Ham’s relegation feels less like a shock and more like the inevitable outcome of years of drift, poor recruitment and executive failure.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 18/05/2026

Liverpool had 55% possession, 443 passes, 32 touches in the Villa box and 9 corners. Aston Villa still looked the more dangerous side all afternoon. This wasn’t just another defeat. It felt like another warning sign. My latest for It Was Always...Liverpool 🔴 👇

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 11/05/2026

I’ve broken down the numbers, the tactical issues and the growing questions around this Liverpool side in my latest piece for It Was Always...Liverpool. Stats, structure, pressure and why too many teams are now feeling comfortable at Anfield.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 11/05/2026

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, but the scoreline barely tells the story. Chelsea controlled too much of the game at Anfield, Liverpool looked tactically confused at times, and the reaction to Arne Slot’s substitutions said plenty about the mood inside the ground.

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Greig Hopcroft @thehopcrofts.co.uk · 28/04/2026

Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1, but the scoreline only tells half the story. The result was strong, the performance less convincing. My latest for It Was Always...Liverpool looks at the numbers behind the win, the tactical issues that remain, and why Arne Slot still has questions to answer.