Šeško’s stats show ‘concerns’ for Liverpool, says Dr Phil Barter | OneFootball

Benjamin Šeško: Liverpool Interest Analysed Through Stats and Insights from Anfield Index Podcast

In a detailed breakdown on the Transfer Market Metrics podcast for Anfield Index, Dave Davis and Dr Phil Barter provided an in-depth profile of Benjamin Šeško, assessing whether he fits Liverpool’s system under Arne Slot. Their statistical dive revealed both promise and concerns about the young striker.

Sesko’s Stats: A Mixed Bag of Potential and Shortcomings

Dr Phil Barter wasted no time in highlighting Šeško’s statistical profile: “He has clocked a 2,000-minute season in Austria and a similar number in the Bundesliga. His minutes have gone up, which is good – increasing his load,” he noted. However, a deeper look at key metrics offered a more nuanced picture.

Šeško’s attacking returns are underwhelming relative to Liverpool’s standards. “Last season, he got 0.4 XG per game and an XA of 0.07 – a combined 0.52. He’s now at 0.4 XG and 1.3 non-penalty XG, but that’s down slightly,” said Barter, adding, “That’s the same ballpark as Bournemouth’s forwards and Simons at Leipzig.”

Concerns Over Fit in Liverpool’s Forward Line

Despite the raw numbers, Barter questioned how Šeško would translate into Liverpool’s high-intensity system. “Touches in the penalty box are a concern – he’s in the seventh percentile. That’s nowhere near what we require from our forwards,” he cautioned.

Photo: IMAGO

Barter also highlighted Šeško’s low involvement in attacking moves: “Progressive passes received are only 24%. Our forwards receive high and create from the final third. That’s not his game,” he observed.

Liverpool’s Interest: Is Šeško Another Nunez?

The comparison with Darwin Núñez was unavoidable. “This is Nunez Mark Two – you could end up signing him and have very similar problems,” Barter warned. “Šeško’s shot-creating actions are in the 15th percentile – nowhere near what we expect from a Liverpool forward.”

Barter’s scepticism extended to Šeško’s defensive contribution, which is often a key trait for Arne Slot’s system: “He’s not involved in terms of creation or stopping the opposition. No high amount of defensive actions either,” he noted.

The Price Tag and Liverpool’s Dilemma

Šeško’s cost could be a major sticking point. “He has a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Red Bull – £60 million could get him,” Barter revealed. However, he questioned the value: “If it’s £60 million, I’d be concerned. With a Bundesliga-to-Premier-League markdown of about 15%, his numbers drop even further.”

Final Verdict: A Risky Move for Liverpool

The verdict from Dr Phil Barter was clear: “It doesn’t look like the kind of forward we’d be profiling to move on from our current forwards,” he concluded.

Dave Davis summed up the intrigue: “There’s little bits that are intriguing – the pace, the stature – but as you said, the price marker is a concern.”