Liverpool fans this season must be used to the scenario of dramatic victories decided by goals in the last minute. In many matches, it was even a late goal, right before the final whistle.
Arne Slot's team has made this an unbelievable habit, with every match since the beginning of the season decided by a late goal, including 4 goals after the 90th minute. On social media, The Kop fans called the phenomenon Slot time Liverpools signature moment under Arne Slot, similar to what people called Fergie Time of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
According to statistics, in at least the past 15 years, no team in the top 5 European national championships has repeated their streak of 4 consecutive wins in the domestic league with late goals like Liverpool have.
Even more impressive, the victory over Atletico Madrid also made the Anfield team the first club since the 2012 2013 season with 6 matches in all competitions ending with goals from the 80th minute onwards in October.
Unprecedented series of matches in Premier League history
Statistics show that, except for the win over Everton, Liverpool have scored the decisive goal in every official match since the beginning of the season:
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth (Chiesa 88", Salah 90+4)
Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool (Ngumoha 90+10)
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal (Szoboszlai 83)
Burnley 0-1 Liverpool (Salah pen 90+3)
Liverpool 3-2 Atletico (Van Dijk 90+2)
Liverpool 2-1 Southampton (Hugo Ekitike, 85')
That means Liverpool's average scoring moment this season is the 90+1 minute. In the previous season, this number only stopped in the 70th minute for The Kop to win by a minimum margin.
The question is whether this series of late victories is just a coincidence or has become a new DNA of Liverpool under Arne Slot?
Some experts say that relying too much on late goals is difficult to maintain throughout the season. However, from another perspective, this could be the signature style that Arne Slot brings. That is courage, courage and the ability to explode at the right time.
What is the secret from Arne Slot?
Arne Slot has frankly admitted that spirit and fitness are two core factors. He said after the win over Atletico: There will be games where we have led 2-0 from the 6th minute, without needing to score in the last minute. However, there were also matches where we had to fight until the last second. The important thing is that Liverpool always maintain an attacking spirit and have enough physical strength to do that.
This is not just a waste of words. According to statistics, Arne Slot is currently in the coaching group with the highest late win rate in Premier League history (24.1% of wins after the 80th minute). By comparison, even time machine Sir Alex Ferguson has never helped Man United create a streak of 3 consecutive wins thanks to late goals.
Another reason is that Arne Slot took a risk to earn points for Liverpool. Against Burnley, he ended the match with a squad of 5 strikers, including Salah, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Frimpong and Gakpo. Behind them are two capable full-backs, Robertson and Bradley. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai alone carried the midfield while Gravenberch was even pulled down to play as a center back alongside Van Dijk.
Diverse scenarios
Liverpool can't beat late with a single formula. Against Bournemouth and Atletico, The Kop dominated, took the lead and then conceded a silly goal, before pressuring and ending the match. Against Newcastle, Arne Slot's team even lost the advantage, playing worse in the second half but still had the decisive punch in the 90+10 minute thanks to Ngumoha.
Against Arsenal and Burnley, Liverpool faced a solid defense but thanks to set pieces and courage, they still broke the opponent in the last minute. This proves that Slot's Liverpool are not dependent on luck, they have many options to turn the game around.
The role of veterans
Although the average age of the Liverpool squad is only 26.2, the late goals left a strong impression on the older pillars. Mohamed Salah has been involved in three goals (2 goals, 1 assist). Meanwhile, Szoboszlai, Chiesa, Van Dijk, Endo and Ngumoha also left their mark.
If Ngumoha (17 years old) is not included, the average age of players who contributed to late goals is 30.4. That shows that the experience and bravery of the veterans are the foundation for Liverpool to keep the faith until the last minute.
