ACCORDING to a couple of high profile managers this week, Liverpool FC's Luis Suarez is a workaholic who craves hard graft, Andy Carroll is another kind of holic who simply craves the hard stuff.
That’s the perception. But what’s the reality?
Using statistical input from the remarkably precise EA Sports Player Performance Index . . . somewhat surprising.
Suarez tracks back, chases lost causes, closes down defenders and sweats blood in the pursuit of Anfield excellence. Such is his dedication he has run a lung-bursting 109.6 metres every minute of every match so far this season.
Carroll, on the other hand, lumbers around, loiters for crosses, occasionally breaks into a sweat. Oh, and covers 108 metres every minute of a match.
That’s right. Given his long legs, just one stride less than his non-stop teammate, or a difference so slight as to be barely noticeable.
Clearly Carroll has a little previous to be taken into account, but since moving to Liverpool the most outrageous off-field antics he’s been involved in was attending a Boyzone concert – and failing to buy his boss a pint.
On the pitch, Carroll has actually managed more attempts on goal than Suarez and managed more on target.
The campaign may still be in its infancy and the stats open to early season interpretation, and Suarez has scored more goals, but people seem to be underestimating Carroll’s contributions.
Not inside Anfield, of course.
Kenny Dalglish dismissed Fabio Capello’s press conference comments this week – and suggested the journalists pushing the England coach for a soundbite were more mischievous than the Italian had meant to be.
He has a point.
So, too, does the EA Sports Performance Index.
Stewart Downing has been the most eye-catching Anfield arrival so far this season. But he hasn’t been the most effective.
The highest placed Liverpool player on the Index is Charlie Adam.
And Jordan Henderson is next.
The Index analyses players’ performances and gives points for positive influences on a match – such as shots, tackles, clearances, saves etc. – and takes points away for negative actions, such as shots off-target, yellow and red cards.
Adam currently lies 11th in the overall Premier League table – and in terms of midfielders, only Ashley Young, David Silva and Anderson have proved more productive this season.
The Scot has scored one goal, created two more, hit the target with 62.5% of all his shots and has won 83.3% of all the tackles he has entered in to this season, as well as making three clearances.
He has also covered more distance than any other Liverpool player in each of his three games. Against Bolton, Adam covered an incredible 13,515m – almost eight-and-a-half miles – including a massive 7042m in the first-half alone!
There are lies, damned lies – and statistics. But the biggest lies being perpetrated so far this season seem to surround the Liverpool number nine.
