Defensive Actions per 90 (DA/90)
A metric measuring the total number of defensive interventions—tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, and pressures—a player averages per 90 minutes of play. For Liverpool’s system under Arne Slot, DA/90 provides insight into how each outfield player contributes to the team’s defensive structure, from the high press to the last line of cover. Unlike raw defensive statistics, DA/90 standardises contributions across players with varying minutes, enabling fair comparisons between a 60-minute substitute and a regular starter.
Tackles per 90 (Tkl/90)
The number of attempted or successful tackles a player makes per 90 minutes. In Liverpool’s setup, tackles per 90 often reflect the aggressiveness of a player’s role—full-backs and midfielders typically register higher figures than centre-backs, who prioritise positioning over engagement. A high Tkl/90 may indicate a player’s willingness to engage in duels, but context matters: players in teams that dominate possession may have lower raw tackle counts but higher success rates.
Interceptions per 90 (Int/90)
The frequency with which a player reads the opposition’s passing lanes and cuts out the ball per 90 minutes. Interceptions are a hallmark of intelligent defensive positioning; Liverpool’s midfielders, particularly those in the double pivot, often register strong Int/90 figures by anticipating transitions. For defenders, interceptions per 90 can signal how well they step forward to break up play before it reaches the back line.
Clearances per 90 (Clr/90)
The number of times a player clears the ball from a dangerous area—typically from inside or near the penalty box—per 90 minutes. Centre-backs and goalkeepers dominate this metric, but full-backs may also record clearances when covering crosses. A high Clr/90 for a defender in a possession-dominant side like Liverpool might indicate defensive pressure rather than proactive play, while a low figure could reflect effective pressing that prevents chances from developing.
Blocks per 90 (Blk/90)
The count of blocked shots, crosses, or passes a player makes per 90 minutes. Blocks are a reactive defensive action, often associated with players who position themselves in shooting lanes or close down attackers quickly. In Liverpool’s system, central midfielders and centre-backs typically lead in blocks per 90, especially during sustained opposition pressure. A high Blk/90 can be a double-edged sword: it shows commitment to defensive duties but may also reflect a team under siege.
Pressures per 90 (Prss/90)
The number of times a player applies pressure to an opponent in possession—closing down, forcing a pass, or inducing an error—per 90 minutes. Pressures per 90 are central to Arne Slot’s tactical philosophy, which emphasises coordinated pressing triggers. Forwards and attacking midfielders often register the highest Prss/90 figures, as they initiate the press; defenders may have lower numbers but higher efficiency if their pressure leads directly to turnovers.
Successful Pressures per 90 (SuccPrss/90)
The subset of pressures that result in a turnover, a misplaced pass, or a forced error per 90 minutes. This metric refines raw pressure data by measuring effectiveness. A player with high Prss/90 but low SuccPrss/90 may be pressing without coordination, while one with a high success rate demonstrates tactical discipline. For Liverpool, players like Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez have historically shown strong SuccPrss/90 figures, though individual form and opponent quality affect the numbers.
Dribbled Past per 90 (Drb/90)
The number of times an opponent successfully dribbles past a player per 90 minutes. A low Drb/90 is desirable for defenders, indicating they maintain shape and avoid being beaten one-on-one. For Liverpool’s full-backs, particularly those who push high, Drb/90 can be a revealing metric: a high figure may suggest vulnerability in transition, while a low one reflects good recovery speed or defensive positioning.
Aerial Duels Won per 90 (AerW/90)
The number of aerial challenges a player wins per 90 minutes. Centre-backs and target forwards typically dominate this metric, but it also applies to midfielders who contest second balls. For Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk historically leads AerW/90 among defenders, while midfielders like Ryan Gravenberch may show lower figures but higher success rates due to selective engagement. Context matters: a player facing few aerial duels may have a high win percentage but limited impact.
Aerial Duels Lost per 90 (AerL/90)
The number of aerial challenges a player loses per 90 minutes. A high AerL/90 can indicate either a player’s willingness to compete even when not favoured or a weakness in the air. For Liverpool’s system, centre-backs who lose aerial duels may be exposed on set pieces, while full-barks with high AerL/90 might struggle against physical wingers. This metric is best interpreted alongside AerW/90 to assess overall aerial effectiveness.
Ball Recoveries per 90 (Rec/90)
The number of times a player regains possession for their team per 90 minutes, including through tackles, interceptions, and loose ball pickups. Ball recoveries per 90 are a comprehensive measure of defensive contribution, reflecting both proactive and reactive actions. Midfielders in Liverpool’s double pivot—such as Alexis Mac Allister or Wataru Endō—often register high Rec/90 figures, as they are tasked with breaking up play and recycling possession.
Possession Adjusted Defensive Actions (PADA/90)
A refined metric that adjusts defensive actions per 90 for the amount of time a team spends without the ball. Teams that dominate possession, like Liverpool under Slot, naturally have fewer defensive opportunities; PADA/90 normalises this by scaling actions to the minutes of opposition possession. A player with high PADA/90 is making a significant defensive impact despite limited defensive phases, while a low figure may indicate passive off-ball movement.
Defensive Duels per 90 (DD/90)
The number of one-on-one defensive contests a player engages in per 90 minutes, including tackles and physical battles for the ball. Defensive duels per 90 are a volume metric that reflects a player’s involvement in direct confrontations. For Liverpool’s full-barks and central midfielders, high DD/90 can signal aggressive defending, but also potential exposure on the counter. Success rate in these duels is a more telling indicator of quality.
Defensive Duel Success Rate (DDSR%)
The percentage of defensive duels a player wins. A high DDSR% indicates reliable one-on-one defending, while a low rate suggests vulnerability. For centre-backs like Ibrahima Konaté, a strong DDSR% is expected given their physical profile; for full-barks, it can vary based on opponent quality. This metric is most useful when compared across a player’s minutes and opposition strength.
Progressive Passes Allowed per 90 (PPA/90)
The number of forward passes an opponent completes while a player is the nearest defender or in the defensive zone per 90 minutes. A low PPA/90 is desirable, indicating that a player restricts the opposition’s ability to advance the ball. For Liverpool’s defensive midfielders, this metric reflects their role in cutting off passing lanes; for centre-backs, it shows how well they prevent through balls.
Defensive Actions in Final Third per 90 (DAFT/90)
The number of defensive interventions—tackles, interceptions, clearances—a player makes in the opposition’s final third per 90 minutes. This metric measures a player’s contribution to the high press. Forwards and attacking midfielders in Liverpool’s system, such as Luis Díaz or Cody Gakpo, often lead DAFT/90 figures, as their pressing triggers force turnovers high up the pitch. A high DAFT/90 is strongly correlated with Slot’s tactical demands.
Defensive Actions in Own Box per 90 (DAOB/90)
The number of defensive interventions a player makes inside their own penalty area per 90 minutes. Centre-backs and defensive midfielders dominate this metric, especially during periods of sustained opposition pressure. A high DAOB/90 can indicate either a player’s last-ditch defending or a team’s inability to prevent chances. For Liverpool, a low DAOB/90 across the squad is often a sign of effective pressing that limits entries into the box.
Sliding Tackles per 90 (SlTkl/90)
The frequency of sliding challenges a player makes per 90 minutes. Sliding tackles are a high-risk, high-reward defensive action; a high SlTkl/90 may suggest a player is frequently out of position and forced to recover, or it could reflect a proactive style in certain situations. For Liverpool’s defenders, a low SlTkl/90 is generally preferable, indicating good positioning that reduces the need for last-ditch interventions.
Dribbling Challenges per 90 (DC/90)
The number of times a player is dribbled at by an opponent per 90 minutes. This metric measures a defender’s exposure to one-on-one situations. Full-barks and wide centre-backs typically have higher DC/90 figures, as they face wingers in isolation. A player with high DC/90 but low Drb/90 is effectively stopping dribbles; one with high DC/90 and high Drb/90 is being consistently beaten.
Pressing Efficiency Index (PEI)
A composite metric combining pressures per 90, successful pressures per 90, and defensive actions in the final third per 90, normalised against team averages. PEI provides a single number to evaluate a player’s pressing contribution relative to their role. In Liverpool’s squad, wingers and strikers typically have higher PEI values than defenders, but a high PEI from a midfielder or full-back signals exceptional tactical discipline.
Defensive Actions per Touch (DA/Tch)
The ratio of defensive actions to touches of the ball per 90 minutes. This metric contextualises defensive contribution within a player’s overall involvement. A high DA/Tch for a centre-back might indicate a busy defensive workload, while a low DA/Tch for a midfielder could suggest they are not engaging defensively enough. For Liverpool’s possession-heavy style, a moderate DA/Tch is often optimal, balancing defensive duties with ball progression.
Defensive Actions per 90 by Position (DA/90 Pos)
A normalised metric comparing a player’s DA/90 to the positional average for their role in Liverpool’s system. For example, a full-back with DA/90 Pos of 1.2 is contributing 20% more defensive actions than the average Liverpool full-back. This metric accounts for role differences, making it easier to compare a centre-back to a winger. Players with DA/90 Pos significantly below 1.0 may need tactical adjustment or may be prioritising attacking output.
Recovery Distance per 90 (RecDist/90)
The total distance a player covers while recovering possession or closing down after losing the ball, measured in metres per 90 minutes. Recovery distance is a proxy for work rate and defensive commitment. For Liverpool’s midfielders and forwards, high RecDist/90 is a hallmark of Slot’s pressing system; for defenders, it can indicate how much ground they cover to provide cover for attacking full-barks.
Defensive Actions per 90 vs Top Six Opponents (DA/90 Top6)
A filtered metric showing a player’s defensive actions per 90 in matches against the Premier League’s top six clubs. This isolates performance under higher intensity and against stronger opposition. For Liverpool players, DA/90 Top6 can reveal whether they rise to the occasion or struggle in big games. A player with significantly lower DA/90 Top6 than their season average may be less effective in high-pressure defensive scenarios.
What to Check When Using Defensive Actions per 90
- Sample size: Metrics based on fewer than 500 minutes may not be reliable for comparison.
- Opponent quality: Defensive actions often increase against weaker sides that attack less; normalise against opponent strength.
- Team possession: High-possession teams like Liverpool naturally have fewer defensive actions per 90; PADA/90 can adjust for this.
- Positional context: A winger’s DA/90 cannot be compared directly to a centre-back’s; use DA/90 Pos or positional averages.
- Injury history: Players returning from injury may show depressed defensive metrics due to reduced match sharpness.
- Tactical role: A player instructed to hold position rather than press will have different DA/90 expectations.
- Data source: Different providers (Opta, StatsBomb, Wyscout) may define actions slightly differently; always compare within the same dataset.
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