Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp has been widely celebrated, but the role of data analytics in their triumphs often goes unnoticed. Ian Graham, Liverpool’s former director of research, played a crucial part in the club’s achievements during his tenure. Alongside his team of data analysts, Graham was instrumental in the appointment of Klopp and the signings of key players like Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, and Joel Matip.
Graham’s journey with Liverpool began in 2012 when he was appointed by Michael Edwards, who later became the club’s Chief Executive of Football. Interestingly, Edwards was initially skeptical of Graham’s data-led approach, despite his reputation as the “data guy” at Liverpool. However, Edwards quickly recognized the value of the data and embraced it as a benchmark for decision-making.
In his upcoming book, “How to Win the Premier League,” Graham emphasizes that success cannot be solely attributed to data analysis. He highlights the importance of having a great manager, sporting director, and scouting department to complement the data-driven approach. Graham believes that without these key components, the data is meaningless.
Graham’s early years at Liverpool were challenging due to a lack of alignment between the manager and the recruitment team. Brendan Rodgers, the club’s manager at the time, disregarded the input of data and analytics. Graham recalls instances where Rodgers insisted on signing players like Joe Allen and Fabio Borini, despite the analysts recommending Daniel Sturridge instead. Rodgers’ obsession with Christian Benteke, against Graham’s advice, further demonstrated the misalignment of styles within the team.
Diego Costa was one of the players Graham wished Liverpool had signed, but the opportunity slipped away. He believes that a forward line consisting of Luis Suarez and Costa would have been formidable. Graham also reveals a comical twist of fate, where Rodgers pushed for the signing of Thomas Ince, but due to changes in the deal, Liverpool ended up signing Philippe Coutinho instead. This unexpected turn of events proved to be a stroke of luck for the club.
When Klopp arrived at Liverpool, he was not initially enthusiastic about statistics. However, he recognized the efficiency of the data-driven approach and the promise of having the final say on player signings. Salah’s signing perfectly aligned the analysis and scouting, with Edwards and the chief scouts advocating strongly for his acquisition.
Despite Klopp’s lack of enthusiasm for statistics, Graham’s team provided valuable insights and recommendations to various departments within the club. Their analysis informed scouting decisions, post-match analysis, and sport science issues. Graham acknowledges that Klopp’s focus as a manager was on other aspects of the game, and he trusted the expertise of his staff in utilizing the data effectively.
Graham left Liverpool in 2023, along with Edwards and Julian Ward. This sparked concerns about the club’s commitment to a data-driven approach. However, Graham assures that his departure was a personal decision, and the remaining team members have taken on new roles within the club. FSG, Liverpool’s ownership group, has since reappointed Edwards and Ward, signaling their commitment to the data revolution.
While there were informal discussions about Graham’s return to Liverpool, he decided to pursue his analytics consultancy firm, Ludonautics. He wanted to explore new opportunities and work closely with clubs while avoiding the pressures and risks associated with day-to-day operations. Despite being approached by other Premier League clubs, Graham’s attachment to Liverpool made him uninterested in replicating his success elsewhere.
As Liverpool enters a new era under Edwards and the restructured leadership team, the hope is that they can build upon their previous achievements and continue to thrive in the Premier League. While data analytics played a significant role in Liverpool’s success, it was the collective efforts of a great manager, sporting director, and scouting department that ultimately led to their triumphs.