In the fifth part of Adrian Clarke's look at the Premier League's brightest combinations of 2016/17, he talks about the supreme understanding between Liverpool’s front three.
From the moment Jurgen Klopp unleashed his fresh three-man attack against Arsenal on the opening weekend this season, Liverpool have thrilled us with a brand of high-octane, adventurous football.
Producing 10 assists and 16 goals between them, the impact Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane have had as a trio has arguably been the most thrilling aspect of 2016/17.
As a collective they click quite beautifully. Contrary to common belief, these three do not simply roam where they wish.
By and large Klopp asks Coutinho to operate from the left, Mane the right, and Firmino down the centre.
The key to their success is an acute awareness of when to choose the right moments to make an unpredictable run, with and without the ball.
This is not off the cuff. Putting pictures in his players’ heads is something Klopp will have spent hours drilling into them on the training ground.
When a Liverpool forward takes possession of the ball, those around him will move quickly to offer support, giving the man in possession options to the side and in front.
The presence of Mane, who likes to stretch defenders in behind, has helped greatly in this regard.
While all three are skillful and relatively quick, the ferocious energy of their movement is what makes them so devilish to handle.
Almost every run they make is purposeful, and that tempo ensures that gaps are created.
When you study which Premier League players sprint most often (see table below), all of Liverpool’s forward line, including Adam Lallana, are among the leading lights.
With runners coming at them at speed and from varying angles, it is no wonder opponents have found them such a nightmare to contain.
Most sprints per 90
| Player | Mins played | Sprints | Sprints per 90 |
| Firmino | 890 | 778 | 78.67 |
| Lallana | 771 | 647 | 75.53 |
| Watmore | 774 | 634 | 73.72 |
| Mane | 868 | 703 | 72.89 |
| Alli | 803 | 622 | 69.71 |
| Sterling | 854 | 656 | 69.13 |
| Sigurdsson | 898 | 680 | 68.15 |
| Hazard | 918 | 687 | 67.35 |
| Walcott | 864 | 630 | 65.63 |
| Costa | 967 | 704 | 65.52 |
| Puncheon | 781 | 567 | 65.34 |
| Coutinho | 843 | 611 | 65.23 |
In terms of end product, Coutinho’s partnerships with Mane and Firmino are among the Premier League’s most prolific for chance creation.
Most combined chances created
| Player 1 | Player 2 | Combined chances created |
| Coutinho | Mane | 14 |
| Coutinho | Firmino | 13 |
| Benteke | Puncheon | 13 |
| Pogba | Ibrahimovic | 13 |
As if to confirm there is no single pairing that shines brightest among the three, it is the Firmino-Mane partnership that has delivered the most assists, with a total of three.
While these in-form stars all stay fit and full of confidence, Liverpool will be in a great position to score plenty of goals.
They form a unit that penetrates defences with speed and efficiency. In their last three PL encounters, for example, the three have shared 23, 24 and 22 touches inside the opposition box.
For as long as this synergy stays at such a high level, Klopp has no need at all to tinker with his attacking formula. Momentum is theirs.
Tomorrow Adrian Clarke gives his take on the pairing reviving West Ham's fortunes.
See: Clarke on Chelsea's Kante and Matic
See: Clarke on Arsenal's Ozil and Sanchez
