Who had the worse “injury-hit” Premier League season: Manchester City or Liverpool?

This is the third blog in a three-part series examining Liverpool’s injuries this season. The first investigated the direct impact of injuries on Liverpool’s squad; the second analysed the repercussions for Liverpool’s attack; and the third is a comparative piece looking into whether Liverpool’s injuries are (not as bad as / equal to / worse

Weekly Update of England’s Coronavirus Figures: 1st-7th March

This piece is part of a series of weekly blog posts that aim to summarise England’s progress throughout lockdown, showing (1) how far we have come; and (2) how far we could go if we maintain our current rates of decline. It provides an updated summary detailing the weekly change in: Positive cases (by specimen

What has happened to Liverpool’s attack?

One reason to explain Liverpool’s significant drop-off in points this season is the lack of goals scored by Jurgen Klopp’s side. During the first 27 matches of the 2019-20 Premier League season, the Reds found the net 64 times. This year, they have managed it on just 47 occasions – a decrease of 26.6%. You

Weekly Update of England’s Coronavirus Figures: 22nd-28th February

This piece is part of a series of weekly blog posts that aim to summarise England’s progress throughout lockdown, showing (1) how far we have come; and (2) how far we could go if we maintain our current rates of decline. It provides an updated summary detailing the weekly change in: Positive cases (by specimen

Are injuries really to blame for Liverpool’s drop-off in points this season?

With 33 fewer points than they had after 25 league matches last season, it is an undisputable fact that Liverpool has experienced a significant drop-off in form in the Premier League this year. One reason often used to explain this disparity is the impact of injuries on the Liverpool squad. The Reds lost talisman Virgil

Weekly Update of England’s Coronavirus Figures: 15th-21st February

This piece is part of a series of weekly blog posts that aim to summarise England’s progress throughout lockdown, showing (1) how far we have come; and (2) how far we could go if we maintain our current rates of decline. It provides an updated summary detailing the weekly change in: Positive cases (by specimen

Understanding the role of seasonality in England’s lockdown exit strategy

Even though the impact of vaccinations on transmission, serious illness and death has rightfully grabbed the headlines, there is another element central to England’s lockdown exit strategy. You often hear people talk about it and it does have significance for resource allocation and setting for public health policy, but it remains a poorly understood concept.

Constrained by commercial interests, the UEFA knockout rounds have become a bit of a nightmare

Holding a continental competition in the middle of a global pandemic was always going to be difficult. Yet, with eight matches already moved to neutral venues for the first knockout rounds of both the Champions League and Europa League – and more expected to come in the coming weeks – UEFA’s solution has only served

Weekly Update of England’s Coronavirus Figures: 8th-14th February

This piece is part of a series of weekly blog posts that aim to summarise England’s progress throughout lockdown, showing (1) how far we have come; and (2) how far we could go if we maintain our current rates of decline. It provides an updated summary detailing the weekly change in: Positive cases (by specimen

Understanding the trade-off between factors affecting rate changes in the coronavirus data

February feels like an important month for Boris Johnson and his government. On 22nd of this month, England’s exit strategy from its third national lockdown will be presented to the public. This exit has only been made possible by the tremendous public efforts to bring coronavirus infections, hospitalisations and deaths down from their seemingly insurmountable