In modern football, there are many novelties that bring out the details of the game even to the smallest details. Thanks to advances in technology, the various contributions and performances of players are not only limited to scoring goals or clean sheets per match.
There are various other “derivative product” contributions, which serve as a benchmark for a player’s performance. In the attack aspect, for example, there is a record of “goal involvement”, which generally records the number of goal contributions and assists a player makes.
Later, this statistical record produced another derivative product in the form of pre-assists, or the last pass before assists and key passes. Even though it hasn’t been recorded like goals and assists, it doesn’t feel like it will take much longer for statistical records to become more complex.
This possibility is quite open, because digital technology (including statistics) is developing very quickly, especially in the last few years.
From these various derivative contributions, statistical records of the ratio of goal involvements per match emerge. As a result, a player’s performance can be seen more fully, and even appreciated if it produces positive notes.
For example, thanks to his pair of goals against Bournemouth last weekend, Darwin Nunez received appreciation from his club, for becoming the first player on the team, who was able to record a total of 10 goals and 10 assists in the 2023-2024 season.
This statistical record was even posted on Liverpool’s social media accounts, immediately after the match against the Cherries ended.
Despite the Uruguay striker’s frequent failure to maximize opportunities, his goal and assist record actually shows how far he has developed in England.
As is known, last season Nunez was widely criticized because he was only able to score 14 goals and 5 assists from 42 appearances. Apart from the problem of less than smooth adaptation, this performance is considered lacking, because his position is a center forward.
However, in the 2023-2024 season, this former Benfica player was polished by coach Juergen Klopp, playing several times as a left wing striker. As a result, a total of 20 goal involvements from 30 matches came with the Reds.
This performance is directly proportional to the performance of the former Penarol player in the Uruguay national team in the same period, especially since being coached by Marcelo Bielsa. Under the direction of the senior coach from Argentina, Nunez was even able to score 5 goals and 2 assists in just 6 matches, including when La Celeste faced Brazil and Argentina.
This change in position and improvement in performance was a surprise, because it showed the player’s potential. By utilizing the player’s speed and work ethic, Klopp was able to make Nunez develop.
From previously only serving as a pure number 9 player, this Uruguayan national team player was able to be transformed into a fast winger who could also be a “false nine” or “target man”. Truly a typical forward player for Juergen Klopp’s team: fast, able to contribute to the team, and able to play according to the team’s tactical plan.
As a result, the positive impacts presented by players born in 1999 are more diverse. If he is sluggish, he can still provide assists or break through the opponent’s defense with his speed.
Of course, this is nothing compared to players like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe, who are statistically much better. However, this is enough to illustrate how broad the dimensions of player performance assessment are, especially in modern football.
Interestingly, from the existence of statistical records of goal involvement ratios, we are invited to see that, behind existing technological advances, modern football brings with it complexity in small details, which can create a big impact, especially if they can be consistently paid close attention.
ASL
