Lewis Jones' Betting Notebook: Andoni Iraola's Liverpool are creating big problems, not big chances

Liverpool's attacking statistics are raising serious questions

There was an expectation that goals would never be a problem for Liverpool under Andoni Iraola. His football is supposed to be synonymous with entertainment, high pressing, transitions and chaotic games where chances arrive in abundance. The assumption was that watching Liverpool would be a thrill ride.

Instead, their attack has started the season with all the bite of a blunt knife.

Liverpool have scored just six non-penalty Premier League goals this season, the sixth-fewest in the division.

More concerning is their chance creation.

They have manufactured just nine Opta-defined big chances - that is the fewest of any team along with Aston Villa and Coventry.

Brighton, for context, have produced 27.

That is not a small discrepancy. It is a glaring warning sign for anyone backing Liverpool to contribute heavily to the goals markets. The fixture list has been kind to the Reds, too. Manchester City are the only team they've faced this season in the top-nine of the Premier League.

Wirtz the poster-boy for Liverpool's failings

Florian Wirtz, the £120million signing, has become the face of this attacking dysfunction. Jamie Carragher has questioned whether the German has delivered the match-winning performances expected of a player brought in to become a Premier League superstar.

"I struggle to think of one game where he's won Liverpool the game or he's been the man," Carragher said, lamenting the absence of the kind of decisive influence Kevin De Bruyne provided for Manchester City.

The numbers make uncomfortable reading.

Across 39 Premier League appearances since his move last summer, Wirtz has averaged 0.16 assists, 0.12 goals and 0.28 goal involvements per game. Among players with at least 20 appearances during that period, 88 have registered a better goal-involvement rate. His output matches Arsenal full-back Jurrien Timber.

That comparison tells its own story.

Wirtz was signed to be the creative heartbeat of this team. He's hampering their progress.

Bradley Barcola has also struggled to find his feet following his £120million move, although it is far too early to draw firm conclusions about his contribution.

The wider concern is that Liverpool's attacking problems appear collective. The movement, understanding and ruthlessness that should underpin an Iraola side have been conspicuously absent.

Sack Race Update: Carrick new favourite after Spurs draw

Betting opportunity to oppose Liverpool goals

Liverpool's reputation and the attacking promise associated with Iraola's football could keep goal lines higher than their current performances justify. Markets are often reluctant to abandon pre-season expectations quickly, creating an opportunity if the underlying numbers continue to disappoint.

Liverpool are 10/111.91 to score under 2.5 goals in Wednesday's Champions League trip to LASK. That looks an interesting price if their current struggles persist.

Liverpool may eventually click, but until the chemistry and chance creation improve, backing against a high Liverpool goal tally looks the smarter strategy.

Now you've read Lewis' Notebook read more tips here