Why Liverpool Need Bellamy, and Manchester United Need Evra
We preview Liverpool v Manchester United ahead of their match this Saturday in the FA Cup. The analysis highlights Craig Bellamy and his striking rivals, as well as comparing José Enrique and Patrice Evra.
BELLAMY DESERVES HIS CHANCE IN ABSENCE OF SUAREZ
Manchester United and Liverpool resume their fierce rivalry in the 4th Round of the FA Cup this weekend, with Castrol EDGE Performance data showing that Craig Bellamy deserves to continue leading the Liverpool attack following strong performance this season.
Bellamy’s appearances have been limited compared to goal-shy Dirk Kuyt and the Manchester United attacking duo of Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney. However, of the quartet Bellamy has the best chance conversion rate (29% for his 5 goals), pass completion (86%) and is the most creative, laying on a chance for a teammate once every 27 minutes, by far the highest rate.
In addition he sits only just behind Rooney with a goal every 128 minutes scored (compared with Rooney’s 126) and is second to Welbeck with a 59% shooting accuracy. Somewhat surprisingly Bellamy’s dribbling ability seems to have deserted him this season, with a 29% completion rate, whereas Rooney boasts an impressive 66%.
Robin van Persie vs Wayne Rooney in Premier League 2011-12
| Prem Lge 2011/12 | Craig Bellamy | Dirk Kuyt | Danny Welbeck | Wayne Rooney |
| Team | Liverpool | Manchester United | ||
| Appearances | 16 | 19 | 17 | 20 |
| Minutes On Pitch | 642 | 1,128 | 1,070 | 1,641 |
| Goal Attempts | ||||
| Goals | 5 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Mins per goal | 128 | - | 178 | 126 |
| Shots On Target | 10 | 7 | 17 | 38 |
| Shots Off Target | 7 | 12 | 10 | 30 |
| Total Shots | 17 | 19 | 27 | 68 |
| Shooting Accuracy | 59% | 37% | 63% | 56% |
| Chance Conversion | 29% | 0% | 22% | 19% |
| Blocked Shots | 5 | 10 | 11 | 22 |
| Passing | ||||
| Goal Assists | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Chances created (inc. Assists) | 24 | 21 | 15 | 31 |
| Mins per chance created | 27 | 54 | 71 | 53 |
| Total Passes | 299 | 575 | 368 | 1,002 |
| Pass Completion % | 86% | 77% | 83% | 81% |
| Dribbling | ||||
| Dribbles & Runs | 14 | 15 | 28 | 35 |
| Dribble Completion % | 29% | 47% | 46% | 66% |
ADVENTUROUS EVRA AND ENRIQUE LOCK HORNS
Two of the Premier League’s leading left-backs will be on show at Anfield, with Castrol EDGE Performance data revealing that José Enrique and Patrice Evra are performing to a similar level this season.
While Enrique has the edge with tackles won (80%), it is Evra who has a far superior clearance rate with 4.93 per 90 minutes compared to Enrique’s 0.95 (156 total versus 30), perhaps reflecting the pressure the United defence has come under this season.
However, Evra invites a degree of this pressure by conceding more than double the fouls of Enrique.
| Prem Lge 2011/12 | José Enrique | Patrice Evra |
| Team | Liverpool | Manchester United |
| Appearances | 22 | 21 |
| Minutes On Pitch | 1980 | 1826 |
| Tackles and Blocks | ||
| Total Tackles Made | 40 | 57 |
| Last Man Saving Tackles | 1 | 0 |
| Tackles Won % | 80% | 75% |
| Shots Blocked | 3 | 8 |
| Interceptions | 21 | 26 |
| Clearances | ||
| Total Clearances Made | 21 | 100 |
| Clearances per 90 mins | 0.95 | 4.93 |
| Headed Clearances | 9 | 56 |
| Distribution | ||
| Total Passes | 1142 | 885 |
| Passes per 90 mins | 51.91 | 43.62 |
| Pass Completion % | 80% | 86% |
| Discipline | ||
| Total Fouls Conceded | 9 | 20 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Going Forward | ||
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 1 | 3 |
| Shots off Target | 6 | 1 |
José Enrique’s key strength though is going forward, completing the most number of dribbles of any defender in the Premier League with 39 this season. Evra is second with 28, showing that both will be a key source of their team’s attacking ambitions this weekend.
| Prem Lge 11/12 – Defenders Only | Team | Dribbles Completed |
| José Enrique | Liverpool | 39 |
| Evra, Patrice | Man Utd | 28 |
| Assou-Ekotto, Benoit | Tottenham | 22 |
| Johnson, Glen | Liverpool | 21 |
| Baines, Leighton | Everton | 20 |
Topics: English Premier League, FA Cup, Features, Liverpool, Manchester United, Match Reports


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