I knew Liverpool didn't get their fair share of free-kicks before starting this, but I was surprised at them being adrift of City and Arsenal.
ALSO: It's a real pity that card data isn't widely available in terms of reason for the card. I think it would be fascinating. I did compile it for a season of the Premier League a couple of years ago but it was more trouble than it was worth.
Re Salah - there is an inherent bias in refereeing in England towards English players. Paul Tomkins checked the data ages ago, it showed they get more than their fair share of free-kicks.
Re foul totals, I’d have to look at the numbers again. I’m not sure Liverpool commit too many or if it’s that they don’t receive enough free-kicks to tip the balance their way.
Sure, the non-English players are treated differently as Paul’s data shows, but Mo is treated as if he is from another planet!
I think they have decided that when Mo is engaged in a physical battle, like the one last week with Kerkez, that he is fouling as much as being fouled. And I’m not sure that’s really true?
I’ve noticed, with the “eye investigations”, for AGES that it’s quite hard sometimes to criticize the referee, not because they have not been, well… erm… POO but because it’s often not big decisions that(mainly because they can be caveated more than other reasons) they get “wrong” that sway the game it’s the very VERY little things such as for example… they can shoulder barge us but we can’t shoulder barge them. Or, they can win a shoulder-to-shoulder against us but we can’t against them. These seem too petty to point out individually however over the course of the whole game, I’m sure that this scenario impacts the outcome of the game more than, say, one clean sweep of Salah’s legs going unnoticed.
I think this article somewhat validates my thinking on the subject, possibly.
And what an absolutely fascinating, well researched and written article it is!!!
By the way, thank you for my short free gp at this. I can only take full advantage of the offer to show my gratitude.
Thanks for getting involved in any capacity, I appreciate it!
I think you're right regarding little decisions going against Liverpool. As Paul Tomkins has noted a lot recently, the balance of fouls for and against is crazy considering the Reds' dominance of most matches.
I knew Liverpool didn't get their fair share of free-kicks before starting this, but I was surprised at them being adrift of City and Arsenal.
ALSO: It's a real pity that card data isn't widely available in terms of reason for the card. I think it would be fascinating. I did compile it for a season of the Premier League a couple of years ago but it was more trouble than it was worth.
I think we all know that Salah was not going to be the answer to your question.
I wonder why he is refereed so strangely?
Loved listening to a podcast with Rory Smith, NY Times/Athletic journo, and seeing his reaction to Salah being 255th in the league in being fouled.
As for all our fouls, despite being on top in matches….i kinda think we just foul a lot? Like 19-20 City, I guess?
Re Salah - there is an inherent bias in refereeing in England towards English players. Paul Tomkins checked the data ages ago, it showed they get more than their fair share of free-kicks.
Re foul totals, I’d have to look at the numbers again. I’m not sure Liverpool commit too many or if it’s that they don’t receive enough free-kicks to tip the balance their way.
Sure, the non-English players are treated differently as Paul’s data shows, but Mo is treated as if he is from another planet!
I think they have decided that when Mo is engaged in a physical battle, like the one last week with Kerkez, that he is fouling as much as being fouled. And I’m not sure that’s really true?
I’ve noticed, with the “eye investigations”, for AGES that it’s quite hard sometimes to criticize the referee, not because they have not been, well… erm… POO but because it’s often not big decisions that(mainly because they can be caveated more than other reasons) they get “wrong” that sway the game it’s the very VERY little things such as for example… they can shoulder barge us but we can’t shoulder barge them. Or, they can win a shoulder-to-shoulder against us but we can’t against them. These seem too petty to point out individually however over the course of the whole game, I’m sure that this scenario impacts the outcome of the game more than, say, one clean sweep of Salah’s legs going unnoticed.
I think this article somewhat validates my thinking on the subject, possibly.
And what an absolutely fascinating, well researched and written article it is!!!
By the way, thank you for my short free gp at this. I can only take full advantage of the offer to show my gratitude.
Dean
Thanks for getting involved in any capacity, I appreciate it!
I think you're right regarding little decisions going against Liverpool. As Paul Tomkins has noted a lot recently, the balance of fouls for and against is crazy considering the Reds' dominance of most matches.