David Segar

Ahead of tonight's League Cup game between Liverpool and Chelsea, I spoke with @jord_coll to discuss the loveable loan man that is Ronald Araujo.

RT @OptaAnalyst: Ronald Araujo has transformed Liverpool's defence💪 @DavidSegar_ joins @jord_coll for a deep dive into this data, looking at how he's impressed so far this season📈 🔗

You shouldn't fall in love with a loan player, but then Ronald Araujo decided to tackle an opponent with his head and Liverpool fans were hooked. Araujo has been much more than head tackles, though. His form has really filled a gap in the Reds' defence.

RT @OptaAnalyst: It has been a very impressive start for Ronald Araújo at Liverpool, and the Uruguayan seems right at home in the Premier League. @DavidSegar_ has looked at what has made Araújo so endearing to the Kop. #LFC

RT @OptaAnalyst: If Aston Villa beat Viking tonight, they'll be the second fastest team to reach 20 European Cup/UEFA Champions League victories (in their 30th game), only behind Real Madrid (won 20 of first 29). After a summer of upheaval, Unai Emery has got his Villa team clicking once again. In this form, they'll be confident of securing another win. @DavidSegar_ looks at how Emery's turned their poor early-season form around ahead of tonight's clash. 🔗

RT @DavidSegar_: Alexander Isak is not quite up to his best Newcastle form yet, but his elite finishing is proving very handy for Liverpool at the moment, especially in tricky away games. Me for @OptaAnalyst on the scoring Swede.

RT @OptaAnalyst: Alexander Isak's goal at Brentford on Saturday was the third consecutive Premier League away game in which he scored the winner. @DavidSegar_ has taken a look at Isak's growing importance for Liverpool. #LFC

RT @michael_reid11: Alexander Isak is only the second player in the 21st century to score the winner in 3 consecutive Premier League away games for Liverpool, after Roberto Firmino from Dec 2019 to Jan 2020. #LFC

Florian Wirtz created nine open-play chances today. The first player to create as many as nine in a Premier League game since Sadio Mané for Liverpool against Burnley in January 2021 (9) and first in an away match since Samir Nasri for Man City against Spurs in August 2011 (10).

Should obviously change in the second half given the extra man but that only two of Liverpool's seven shots in that first half were in the penalty area is a concern. Only Villa and Coventry have had fewer big chances in the Premier League this season.

Would also help if Barcola could score one-v-ones but ifs and buts and all that.

Brighton have made an excellent start to the season, and begin their Conference League campaign tonight. Ahead of that game, I've looked at the impressive form of certified Premier League unc, Pascal Groß.

I for one am shocked that a team who changed both centre-backs at the same time mid-game suddenly looked so open. Regardless, an excellent night for Barcola, Nyoni and Koumas. Wirtz with some nice moments too. A much needed big win.

Lewis Koumas clearly learning plenty from Wales boss Craig Bellamy, like how to get caught offside 48 times a game.

Get in! Jokes aside, he's really deserved that.

I was prepared to defend the quality of LASK considering what they did vs Celtic but then Jeremie Frimpong scored a header.

RT @OptaJoe: 19 - Liverpool have recorded the most shots by an away team on record in the first half of a UEFA Champions League away match (since 2003-04). Volume.

RT @OptaAnalyst: Brighton have made an excellent start to the season, and Pascal Groß has been at the centre of it. @DavidSegar_ looks at just how good the 35-year-old has been.

RT @OptaAnalyst: It has been an up-and-down start to the season for Liverpool, but one huge positive has been the early form of new arrival Jérémy Jacquet. @DavidSegar_ asks: just how good has the French defender been?