New research has emerged which means Premier League goalkeepers can now be ranked from best to worst on their ability to produce a save in 1v1 scenarios. Did you know 33% of all goals scored are from 1v1 situations? When a striker is running in on goal, or has an uncontested opportunity to shoot from close range, the odds tend to be stacked in the attacker’s favour.
After all, the goalposts on a football pitch are 7.32 metres wide and the average Premier League goalkeeper is 1.9 metres tall. That is a distinct advantage for the attacker and it means that on the occasion a commentator brings out the classic line – ‘The keeper had absolutely no chance with that!’ – he’s right, he most likely didn’t. Therefore finding an exceptional shot-stopper is a big prize for a football club, especially one that excels in 1v1 situations. But which club has the best keeper?
Well, according to new research, it is Liverpool who can boast about having the best of the best. A goalkeeping analyst set out recently to unlock the riddle and calculated the results using the formula: (total 1v1 saves – expected 1v1 saves) the figure produced would be their score.
Alisson is way out in front with a figure of +6.96 even after facing more 1v1’s than any other goalkeeper in the league – that certainly says a lot about Liverpool’s backline, but the stats prove they have the stopper to play in that manner and get success. Jose Sa and Robert Sanchez are other notable inclusions high up the list. Both have built-up quite the reputation for themselves at Wolves and Brighton respectively this season.
There is also fresh ammunition to fuel the England goalkeeper debate as Aaron Ramsdale comes in at an impressive number five, whilst current England number one Jordan Pickford finds himself dead last.