23/4 Analysis
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Based on a discussion in the Erik Ten Hag thread I present in my view the biggest reason we've failed to perform consistently at a high level whilst other teams haven't suffered as much in the top 6.
Each side in the Top 6 (Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Spurs, Villa and United) have been broken down player by player into their % mins in the PL also with their (in my opinion) best XI and a brief comment as to how this looks in terms of key player losses and who has played in their stead. It also take a small look into the future in some cases with current injuries.
75% or above
50% to 74%
0% to 49%
* = GK or additional circumstance (e.g. Loan)
The only position up for debate here is Jones but as you can see Liverpool's overall availability taking into account rotations is healthy. The best players, Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson, Szobozslai and Trent all have played at least 3/4 of the PL season minutes to date with Robertson and Thiago arguably the only significant players absent through injury for a longer period. The rest of the squad has been used more in rotation as and when. Joe Gomez is the player who I wouldn't consider in the strongest XI but has played more minutes than Robertson. Injury wise Matip is ACL so out for the season, Szobozsali has a hamstring issue but could be back next week and Thiago is unlikely to return anytime soon but its not a 'big big injury', Trent has a knee issue unsure if he will or won't play on it and Salah has a thigh injury but could return this week.
Manchester City
Ederson 92%
Walker 92% Dias 76% Ake 66% Gvardiol 71%
Rodri 83%
De Brunye 11% Bernardo 73%
Foden 90% Haaland 72% Doku 52%
Now there could be arguments made for the inclusion of several players here such is the strength in depth of the Man City squad but even allowing for any change you'd choose to make the only long term injuries have been De Brunye (massive of course) and Stones. The rest have been used in rotation as you would expect with a squad as strong as City's. I'd say they are the 2nd least affected side by injuries in the top 6. The only positions I consider up for debate in this starting XI are Doku and Ake. Álvarez is actually the most played outfield player with 94% mins played and would be the one to replace De Brunye in the most played XI. Currently no players are significantly injured Kovacic has a knock, Gvardiol being assessed and Grealish a hip issue being assessed.
Arsenal
Raya 83%
White 84% Saliba 100% Gabriel 84% Zinchenko 66%
Rice 96%
Ødegaard 87% Havertz 67%
Saka 92% Jesus 51% Martinelli 72%
Arsenal's first choice XI feels a bit more clear cut but I would accept an argument for Partey over Havertz. Regardless you can see they've had their best XI available the majority of the season the only exception being Jesus who still have over 1/2 the available minutes for Arsenal. Partey and Timber stand out as longer injuries to squad players but beyond that they've not been hit too badly. Saliba 100% is mind boggling considering his role! Timber is expected back April, Zinchenko has a calf issue but could be back this week, Partey has a hamstring issue no idea when back, Vieira is back in the next few weeks and Jesus has a knee problem but could be back within days too.
Tottenham Hotspur
Vicario 100%
Porro 96% Romero 71% van de Ven 60% Udogie 82%
Sarr 59% Bissouma 58%
Kulusevski 86% Maddison 53% Son 80%
Richardson 59%
The Spurs midfield pairing is very much up for debate so argue amongst yourselves as to who you'd swap in but this myth of Spurs injuries have been as bad across the season just isn't statistically true. They have absolutely been impacted by losing Maddison but beyond that the loss isn't anywhere near our levels. They are I'd say the 2nd most affected by injuries out of the top 6. No major injuries to report currently but Lo Celso back this week, Solomon out for the foreseeable with knee issues and Sessegnon no idea.
Aston Villa
Martinez 96%
Konsa 93% Carlos 54% Torres 70%
Cash 69% Kamara 77% Luiz 91% Digne 71%
McGinn 95%
Diaby 68% Watkins 98%
Aston Villa are very hard to pin to a formation so I've tried my best to show what I believe is in Emery's mind the best mix of players in roughly the right places. So don't shoot me! The only notable lower % player is Carlos but with Konsa able to play RCB/CB and Cash they've rotated well. Diaby has been rotated with Bailey for their pacey outlet option so overall looking very healthy with key players like Martinez, Konsa, Luis, McGinn and Watkins all in the 90+% bracket. Mings is long term injured but not a player any Villa fan would consider in their best XI. They have more recently picked up injuries and I would expect them to struggle more now with Kamara and Cash out. Kamara is out long term knee, Buendia is in recovery (knee) our for the season likely, Mings similar, Konsa likely out for 3/4 weeks.
Manchester United
Onana 100%
Dalot 89% Varane 42% Martinez 26% Shaw 43%
Casemiro 42% Mainoo 36%
Garnacho 66% Bruno 96% Rashford 76%
Højlund 64%
Now we can debate Dalot vs AWB, I've gone Dalot because he's had the most minutes and so as not to be accused of trying to hide high % playing 'starters', and I've opted Varane over Maguire but I'd argue Varane is better and it's only a 5% difference in minutes share.
When you consider Mainoo's minutes would likely have gone to Mount while injured we've been really royally fecked over by injuries. Look at us compared to the top 6 sides.
Dealing with some level of injury is absolutely to be expected but 5 of what many would consider our best XI haven't played more than 57% of our PL matches so far this season. Our best CB has missed 3/4 of the season so far and looks to be missing even more. And we've been without our best midfield pairing for 64% of the season. Now add in Champions League, League Cup and FA cup fixtures and you can see why we might have found it difficult.
The impact injuries have had on our defence is unprecedented we have one player (Dalot) who has been able to play 50%+ of our games.
In midfield due to injuries and fitness we've had to rely on McTominay for 56% of our game time but with the squad back and fit you can see his role is reduced to clutch player (impact sub).
Our record since having most players back has been 4 wins in 4. But we have Martinez out until April earliest, Martial out till April, Malacia expected back end of Feb/Early march, Shaw hopefully back this weekend. Mount also back hopefully next week. Wan Bissaka out for the foreseeable.
Thoughts?
Each side in the Top 6 (Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Spurs, Villa and United) have been broken down player by player into their % mins in the PL also with their (in my opinion) best XI and a brief comment as to how this looks in terms of key player losses and who has played in their stead. It also take a small look into the future in some cases with current injuries.
75% or above
50% to 74%
0% to 49%
* = GK or additional circumstance (e.g. Loan)
Liverpool
Alisson 88%
Trent 75% Van Dijk 89% Konate 53% Robertson 40%
Mac Allister 68%
Jones 43% Szobozslai 77%
Salah 81% ____________ Díaz 69%
Núñez 66%
Alisson 88%
Trent 75% Van Dijk 89% Konate 53% Robertson 40%
Mac Allister 68%
Jones 43% Szobozslai 77%
Salah 81% ____________ Díaz 69%
Núñez 66%
The only position up for debate here is Jones but as you can see Liverpool's overall availability taking into account rotations is healthy. The best players, Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson, Szobozslai and Trent all have played at least 3/4 of the PL season minutes to date with Robertson and Thiago arguably the only significant players absent through injury for a longer period. The rest of the squad has been used more in rotation as and when. Joe Gomez is the player who I wouldn't consider in the strongest XI but has played more minutes than Robertson. Injury wise Matip is ACL so out for the season, Szobozsali has a hamstring issue but could be back next week and Thiago is unlikely to return anytime soon but its not a 'big big injury', Trent has a knee issue unsure if he will or won't play on it and Salah has a thigh injury but could return this week.
Alisson 88%
Kelleher 13%*
Adrian 0%*
TAA 75%
Bradley 7%
Van Dijk 89%
Konate 53%
Joe Gomez 54%
Matip 36%
Quansah 16%
Robertson 40%
Tsimikas 31%
Mac Allister 68%
Endo 38%
Bajcetic 0%
Szoboszlai 77%
Jones 43%
Thiago 0%
Gravenberch 38%
Salah 81%
Diaz 69%
Jota 47%
Gakpo 43%
Elliot 26%
Doak 1%
Núñez 66%
Kelleher 13%*
Adrian 0%*
TAA 75%
Bradley 7%
Van Dijk 89%
Konate 53%
Joe Gomez 54%
Matip 36%
Quansah 16%
Robertson 40%
Tsimikas 31%
Mac Allister 68%
Endo 38%
Bajcetic 0%
Szoboszlai 77%
Jones 43%
Thiago 0%
Gravenberch 38%
Salah 81%
Diaz 69%
Jota 47%
Gakpo 43%
Elliot 26%
Doak 1%
Núñez 66%
Manchester City
Ederson 92%
Walker 92% Dias 76% Ake 66% Gvardiol 71%
Rodri 83%
De Brunye 11% Bernardo 73%
Foden 90% Haaland 72% Doku 52%
Now there could be arguments made for the inclusion of several players here such is the strength in depth of the Man City squad but even allowing for any change you'd choose to make the only long term injuries have been De Brunye (massive of course) and Stones. The rest have been used in rotation as you would expect with a squad as strong as City's. I'd say they are the 2nd least affected side by injuries in the top 6. The only positions I consider up for debate in this starting XI are Doku and Ake. Álvarez is actually the most played outfield player with 94% mins played and would be the one to replace De Brunye in the most played XI. Currently no players are significantly injured Kovacic has a knock, Gvardiol being assessed and Grealish a hip issue being assessed.
Ederson 92%
Ortega 8%*
Carson 0%*
Walker 92%
Lewis 22%
Dias 76%
Aké 66%
Stones 29%
Akanji 64%
Gvardiol 71%
Gomez 1%
Rodri 83%
Kovacic 42%
Nunes 30%
De Brunye 11%
Bernardo Silva 73%
Foden 90%
Doku 52%
Grealish 34%
Bobb 6%
Haaland 72%
Álvarez 94%
Ortega 8%*
Carson 0%*
Walker 92%
Lewis 22%
Dias 76%
Aké 66%
Stones 29%
Akanji 64%
Gvardiol 71%
Gomez 1%
Rodri 83%
Kovacic 42%
Nunes 30%
De Brunye 11%
Bernardo Silva 73%
Foden 90%
Doku 52%
Grealish 34%
Bobb 6%
Haaland 72%
Álvarez 94%
Arsenal
Raya 83%
White 84% Saliba 100% Gabriel 84% Zinchenko 66%
Rice 96%
Ødegaard 87% Havertz 67%
Saka 92% Jesus 51% Martinelli 72%
Raya 83%
Ramsdale 21%
Hein 0%*
White 84%
Tomiyasu 29%
Soares 1%
Saliba 100%
Gabriel 84%
Timber 2%
Kiwor 20%
Zinchenko 66%
Rice 96%
Partey 12%
Jorginho 23%
Elneny 1%
Ødegaard 87%
Havertz 67%
Vieira 11%
Smith Rowe 10%
Martinelli 72%
Trossard 38%
Saka 92%
Nelson 6%
Jesus 51%
Nketiah 47%
Ramsdale 21%
Hein 0%*
White 84%
Tomiyasu 29%
Soares 1%
Saliba 100%
Gabriel 84%
Timber 2%
Kiwor 20%
Zinchenko 66%
Rice 96%
Partey 12%
Jorginho 23%
Elneny 1%
Ødegaard 87%
Havertz 67%
Vieira 11%
Smith Rowe 10%
Martinelli 72%
Trossard 38%
Saka 92%
Nelson 6%
Jesus 51%
Nketiah 47%
Tottenham Hotspur
Vicario 100%
Porro 96% Romero 71% van de Ven 60% Udogie 82%
Sarr 59% Bissouma 58%
Kulusevski 86% Maddison 53% Son 80%
Richardson 59%
Forster 0%*
Austin 0%*
Whiteman 0%*
Porro 96%
Royal 36%
Romero 71%
van de Ven 60%
Dragusin 2*
Dier* 11%
Udogie 82%
Davies 42%
Sessengnon 0%
Sarr 59%
Bissouma 58%
Bentacur 19%
Højbjerg 45%
Skipp 26%
Maddison 53%
Lo Celso 19%
Son 80%
Kulusevski 86%
Johnson 61%
Solomon 9%
Gil 9%
Richarlison 59%
Véliz 2%
Werner* 14% (approx of season) 88% (since loan)
Austin 0%*
Whiteman 0%*
Porro 96%
Royal 36%
Romero 71%
van de Ven 60%
Dragusin 2*
Dier* 11%
Udogie 82%
Davies 42%
Sessengnon 0%
Sarr 59%
Bissouma 58%
Bentacur 19%
Højbjerg 45%
Skipp 26%
Maddison 53%
Lo Celso 19%
Son 80%
Kulusevski 86%
Johnson 61%
Solomon 9%
Gil 9%
Richarlison 59%
Véliz 2%
Werner* 14% (approx of season) 88% (since loan)
Aston Villa
Martinez 96%
Konsa 93% Carlos 54% Torres 70%
Cash 69% Kamara 77% Luiz 91% Digne 71%
McGinn 95%
Diaby 68% Watkins 98%
Martinez 96%
Olsen* 4%
Gauci* 0%
Konsa 93%
Cash 69%
Kesler Hayden 0%
Torres 70%
Carlos 54%
Mings 1%
Lenglet 32%
Chambers 0%
Hause 0%
Digne 71%
Moreno 29%
Kamara 77%
Luiz 91%
McGinn 95%
Ramsey 30%
Tielemans 34%
Iroggebunam 1%
Diaby 68%
Bailey 50%
Zainolo 26%
Buendia 0%
Rogers 5%
Watkins 98%
Durán 8%
Olsen* 4%
Gauci* 0%
Konsa 93%
Cash 69%
Kesler Hayden 0%
Torres 70%
Carlos 54%
Mings 1%
Lenglet 32%
Chambers 0%
Hause 0%
Digne 71%
Moreno 29%
Kamara 77%
Luiz 91%
McGinn 95%
Ramsey 30%
Tielemans 34%
Iroggebunam 1%
Diaby 68%
Bailey 50%
Zainolo 26%
Buendia 0%
Rogers 5%
Watkins 98%
Durán 8%
Manchester United
Onana 100%
Dalot 89% Varane 42% Martinez 26% Shaw 43%
Casemiro 42% Mainoo 36%
Garnacho 66% Bruno 96% Rashford 76%
Højlund 64%
When you consider Mainoo's minutes would likely have gone to Mount while injured we've been really royally fecked over by injuries. Look at us compared to the top 6 sides.
Dealing with some level of injury is absolutely to be expected but 5 of what many would consider our best XI haven't played more than 57% of our PL matches so far this season. Our best CB has missed 3/4 of the season so far and looks to be missing even more. And we've been without our best midfield pairing for 64% of the season. Now add in Champions League, League Cup and FA cup fixtures and you can see why we might have found it difficult.
The impact injuries have had on our defence is unprecedented we have one player (Dalot) who has been able to play 50%+ of our games.
In midfield due to injuries and fitness we've had to rely on McTominay for 56% of our game time but with the squad back and fit you can see his role is reduced to clutch player (impact sub).
Our record since having most players back has been 4 wins in 4. But we have Martinez out until April earliest, Martial out till April, Malacia expected back end of Feb/Early march, Shaw hopefully back this weekend. Mount also back hopefully next week. Wan Bissaka out for the foreseeable.
Onana 100%
Bayindir 0%*
Heaton 0%*
AWB 41%
Dalot 89%
Martinez 26%
Maguire 47%
Varane 42%
Lindelof 44%
Evans 41%
Kambwala 12%
Shaw 43%
Malacia 0%
Casemiro 42%
Amrabat 32%
Mainoo 36%
McTominay 56%
Eriksen 39%
Fernandes 96%
Mount 19%
Rashford 76%
Garnacho 66%
Antony 43%
Diallo 2%
Højlund 64%
Martial 21%
Bayindir 0%*
Heaton 0%*
AWB 41%
Dalot 89%
Martinez 26%
Maguire 47%
Varane 42%
Lindelof 44%
Evans 41%
Kambwala 12%
Shaw 43%
Malacia 0%
Casemiro 42%
Amrabat 32%
Mainoo 36%
McTominay 56%
Eriksen 39%
Fernandes 96%
Mount 19%
Rashford 76%
Garnacho 66%
Antony 43%
Diallo 2%
Højlund 64%
Martial 21%
Thoughts?