Defensive Actions Per Possession: Team Defending

You’ve probably heard the phrase “defending is a team game” a thousand times, but what does it actually mean when we look at the numbers? For Liverpool fans, the shift from the high-octane, all-out pressing of Jurgen Klopp’s early years to a more controlled, possession-based approach under Arne Slot has sparked plenty of debate. Are the Reds still as effective without the ball? The metric that helps answer that question is defensive actions per possession (DAPP). It’s not just about tackles and interceptions—it’s about how the entire team works together to win the ball back, and how often they have to do it.

When we talk about defensive actions per possession, we’re looking at the total number of defensive events—tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, and pressures—divided by the number of times the opposition has the ball. A high number suggests a team is aggressive and active without the ball, constantly disrupting play. A low number can mean two things: either the team is so good at controlling the game that the opposition rarely has the ball, or they’re passive and allow opponents to build attacks without much resistance. For Liverpool, the truth lies somewhere in between.

What Defensive Actions Per Possession Tells Us About Liverpool’s System

In the modern game, teams don’t just defend in their own third. Liverpool’s system, whether under Klopp or Slot, has always been built on the idea of defending from the front. The forwards are the first line of defense, and the midfield and defense are there to support that press. But the way that press is executed has changed.

Under Klopp, Liverpool’s defensive actions per possession were often among the highest in the Premier League, according to available football analytics data. The team would swarm opponents, forcing turnovers high up the pitch. Think back to the 2019-2020 title-winning season: the Reds were known for their high pressing intensity in the attacking third, and their defensive actions per possession were consistently above the league average. That intensity was a hallmark of the team.

Now, under Slot, the numbers look a bit different. The team is still pressing, but the press is more selective. Instead of a full-throttle, all-out sprint every time the opposition has the ball, Liverpool now picks its moments. The defensive actions per possession might be lower, but the efficiency of those actions—the percentage of times they actually win the ball—could be higher. That’s the key: it’s not just about how many actions you make, but how effective they are.

Breaking Down the Numbers: How Liverpool Compares

To really understand defensive actions per possession, we need to look at how Liverpool stacks up against other top Premier League sides. Let’s compare the Reds to a few key rivals based on general trends from recent seasons.

What this table shows is that Liverpool under Klopp was one of the most active defensive teams in the league. Under Slot, the numbers have dropped slightly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the defense is worse. It could mean the team is more efficient in possession, meaning the opposition has fewer opportunities to attack. When Liverpool has the ball for longer periods, the opposition’s possessions are fewer, and the defensive actions per possession naturally decrease.

The Role of Pressing Intensity and Structure

Pressing intensity is a major factor in defensive actions per possession. Liverpool’s press under Klopp was famous for its “heavy metal” style—constant, relentless, and exhausting. The team would often win the ball back quickly after losing it, a statistic that became a hallmark of the system. That high press led to a high number of defensive actions per possession because the team was constantly engaging with the opposition.

Under Slot, the press is more structured. The team uses a mid-block more often, meaning they allow the opposition to play out from the back before engaging. This reduces the total number of defensive actions per possession because the team isn’t chasing the ball as much. Instead, they’re waiting for the right moment to strike. This can be more sustainable over a long season and reduces the risk of players burning out.

But there’s a trade-off. When Liverpool drops into a mid-block, they’re giving the opposition more time on the ball. That can lead to more dangerous attacks if the defensive structure isn’t perfect. The key is the coordination between the midfield and defense. If the midfielders don’t track runners, or the defenders don’t step up at the right time, the system breaks down.

The Connection to Player Ratings and Goalkeeper Metrics

Defensive actions per possession don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re closely linked to how individual players are rated and how the goalkeeper performs. For example, if a team has a high number of defensive actions per possession, it often means the goalkeeper is facing fewer shots, but those shots might be of higher quality because the defense is stretched.

That’s where metrics like player ratings from FBref and WhoScored come in. A defender who makes a lot of tackles and interceptions in a high-pressing system might get a high rating, but that doesn’t always mean they’re defending well. Sometimes, a high number of defensive actions can indicate that the player is constantly having to cover for teammates or that the team is losing the ball too often.

Similarly, the goalkeeper’s save percentage and expected goals against (xGA) are affected by the team’s defensive actions per possession. If the team is pressing high and winning the ball back quickly, the goalkeeper will face fewer shots, and those shots might be from distance. That’s why we always look at goalkeeper save percentage and PSxG to get a fuller picture. A goalkeeper with a high save percentage might be excellent, or they might just be facing easy shots because the team’s defensive actions are so effective.

Risks and Limitations of Relying on Defensive Actions Per Possession

No single metric tells the whole story, and defensive actions per possession is no exception. Here are some risks to keep in mind:

• Context matters: A team that plays against a dominant possession side like Manchester City will have a very different defensive actions per possession than a team that plays against a side that sits back. The metric can be misleading if you don’t consider the opponent.
• Quality vs. quantity: A team might have a high number of defensive actions per possession, but if those actions are ineffective—like a tackle that doesn’t win the ball or a pressure that doesn’t force a mistake—the number is meaningless.
• System changes: Liverpool’s defensive actions per possession will look different under Slot than under Klopp, but that doesn’t mean the defense is worse. It’s just different. You have to look at the overall defensive record, including goals conceded and expected goals against, to get the full picture.
• Fatigue and injuries: A high-pressing system can lead to more injuries, especially to key players like the forwards and midfielders. If Liverpool’s defensive actions per possession are high, it might come at a cost later in the season.

How Liverpool Can Improve Their Defensive Efficiency

If Liverpool wants to maintain a strong defensive record while adapting to Slot’s system, there are a few areas to focus on:

1. Better transition management: When Liverpool loses the ball, the first few seconds are crucial. The team needs to either win it back immediately or drop into a compact shape. Improving the counter-press can reduce the number of defensive actions needed later in the possession.
2. Midfield coordination: The midfield is the key to the defensive structure. If the midfielders can cut off passing lanes and force the opposition wide, the defenders have an easier time. That reduces the need for last-ditch tackles and clearances.
3. Set-piece defending: A significant portion of defensive actions come from set pieces. Liverpool has worked on this area, but there’s still room for growth. Being more aggressive in attacking the ball can reduce the number of defensive actions needed.
4. Using data wisely: The club’s analytics team can use defensive actions per possession to identify patterns. If a particular player is making a lot of defensive actions, it might mean they’re out of position or that the team is being exposed on that side of the pitch.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Liverpool’s Season

Defensive actions per possession is a useful metric, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. For Liverpool fans, the most important thing is whether the team is winning games and keeping clean sheets. The numbers can help explain why, but they don’t replace the eye test.

As the season progresses, keep an eye on how Liverpool’s defensive actions per possession change. If the number stays relatively low but the team continues to concede few goals, it’s a sign that the system is working. If the number drops too low and the goals start leaking in, it might be time to adjust the approach.

In the end, defending is about more than just numbers. It’s about communication, positioning, and desire. But when you combine the data with what you see on the pitch, you get a much clearer picture of how Liverpool is performing. And for a club that prides itself on being the best in every aspect of the game, that’s exactly what we need.