Liverpool's Premier League Scoring Slump Clashes With Champions League Success
The Reds have netted 12 goals in Europe but only 11 in nine domestic matches, while Porto risks elimination with a loss to Napoli.
By Javier Sanders ·
Liverpool fans face a strange disconnect this week as their team prepares to play in Istanbul. The club has scored 12 goals in its first three Champions League matches this season. In the Premier League, Liverpool has managed just 11 goals in nine games. This stark difference defines the upcoming fixture list, which also features high-stakes clashes for teams at the bottom of the league table.
Andoni Iraola’s side appears to be struggling with shot quality domestically. Liverpool ranks 11th in the league for expected goals. The team takes nearly 40% of its shots from outside the box. It also leads Europe’s top five leagues for the proportion of blocked shots at 37.9%. The average shot value across these leagues is 0.111. Liverpool’s average is significantly lower. Key attackers including Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, and Cody Gakpo have two Premier League goals each from a combined 5.24 expected goals.
In Europe, the numbers look better but may not reflect sustainable form. Liverpool’s 12 goals came from 7.23 expected goals. A quarter of their shots are still being blocked. The last two European matches against LASK and Villarreal offered favorable conditions for scoring. Wednesday’s trip to Istanbul will test whether the team can maintain its attacking output against stronger opposition.
Porto faces a critical match against Napoli at home. The Portuguese club sits in 35th place in the league phase standings. Only Slovan Bratislava and the Portuguese league leaders have not yet recorded a point. A loss would likely end Porto’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round. Historical data suggests the qualification line will land near nine points. Porto currently has three points. Its remaining schedule includes difficult away trips to Feyenoord and Liverpool.
Manager Francesco Farioli acknowledged the challenge. "The demands and the details make all the difference," Farioli said. "I hope experience helps us be more effective than we have been." Porto’s issue is a lack of volume. The team has taken only 30 shots worth a combined 2.7 expected goals. Strikers Samu Aghehowa and Andre Silva have four shots between them. Midfielder Borja Sainz has not taken a single shot in the Champions League this season, despite averaging nearly 3.5 shots per game in domestic play.
Borussia Dortmund prepares to host Real Betis, a team with a perfect 100% record. Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy offers a specific threat to the Spanish side. The 30-year-old striker has scored in every Champions League match he has played against Spanish opponents. He recorded a hat trick against Barcelona in 2025. Guirassy has 23 goals in 31 Champions League appearances. His recent form includes a decisive goal in a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich.
Real Betis has allowed just over 2.5 expected goals in its three European matches. However, the team ranks 18th in La Liga for set piece goals conceded. Guirassy’s physical attributes make him dangerous in the box. He stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and is strong and mobile. His ability to win set pieces has previously resulted in penalties against Villarreal, Athletic Club, and Barcelona. This matchup tests Betis’s defensive structure against a striker who thrives in these situations.
