Liverpool have been confirmed as the Premier League’s fastest team following their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Matchday 10.
Statsports data shows the squad averaged a top speed of 33.45 km/h, reflecting manager Andoni Iraola's tactical changes this season.
- Defensive Utility: Virgil van Dijk’s inclusion in the team’s top-six speed chart shows he remains a capable athlete despite the squad’s tactical transition under Andoni Iraola.
The transition under Iraola has addressed a persistent criticism from the previous campaign, where the side often appeared one-paced in possession. Bradley Barcola set the pace for the squad, recording a top speed of 35.7 km/h during his involvement in the goal scored by Florian Wirtz.
The statistical breakdown reveals a diverse range of contributors to this high-speed profile. Jeremy Jacquet followed Barcola with a top speed of 33.9 km/h, while Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz also featured prominently in the rankings. Dominik Szoboszlai clocked 32.7 km/h before his injury, and Virgil van Dijk reached 31.9 km/h, showing the defensive line's recovery speed.
| Player | Top Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|
| Bradley Barcola | 35.7 |
| Jeremy Jacquet | 33.9 |
| Cody Gakpo | 33.4 |
| Victor Munoz | 33.1 |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | 32.7 |
| Virgil van Dijk | 31.9 |
While these metrics provide a snapshot of physical output, Statsports said that game states and specific tactical demands influence these figures weekly. Iraola’s philosophy relies heavily on winning the ball high up the pitch and transitioning with speed, a departure from the “shuffling” defensive structure favored in previous eras.
“Under Jurgen, we pressed a lot with shuffling across, we tried to box them in one side, but football has changed,” Virgil van Dijk told Liverpool.com regarding the transition in management.
Beyond the pitch, the squad has focused on reinforcing the club’s identity during this period of transformation. Van Dijk recently organized a visit for the players to the LFC Museum at Anfield, as reported by Liverpool FC. The event included a viewing of exhibitions dedicated to the club’s history and a tribute to former manager Jurgen Klopp, featuring personal items such as his iconic glasses and farewell shirt.
Van Dijk acknowledged the ongoing adaptation, noting, “You have to find the right balance because I feel that we can still play through the press, but we can also go direct and at home sometimes you have to.” The ability to switch between controlled buildup and direct, high-speed attacks is the hallmark of the current rebuild.
The club’s performance at Selhurst Park serves as an insight into the speed of the current squad as Andoni Iraola continues his work at the helm.
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