Michael Kayode’s mad touch map and remarkable stats highlight where Liverpool are so weak
Michael Kayode is fast becoming Brentford’s long throw king but the stats behind his performances prove the Premier League’s top sides should be keeping a close eye on him.
Kayode moved to the Bees on loan from Fiorentina at the beginning of this year, establishing himself in Thomas Frank’s starting lineup towards the end of last season.
Over the summer Brentford made the 21-year-old’s switch permanent, signing him on a five-year deal for a fee of around £15million.
Keith Andrews subsequently replaced Frank at the Gtech Community Stadium, but the change in manager has not slowed Kayode’s progress, arguably even accelerating his development.
Michael Kayode tears Liverpool apart
Brentford’s 3-2 win over Liverpool on Saturday (25 October) evening was indicative of the state that Arne Slot’s team are in, struggling to piece their expensive squad into a cohesive unit.
However, the performance of Andrews’ side, and particularly Kayode, cannot be overlooked.
The Italian wing-back showed bravery, energy, and decisiveness, all qualities which Liverpool are lacking at this moment in time, and put in a man-of-the-match display that would have surely caught the attention of the very best sides in the Premier League.
Kayode vs Liverpool:
- 5/5 duels won
- 2/2 take-ons completed
- 7 recoveries
- 3 clearances
- 2 chances created
- 2 fouls won
- 1 shot
Kayode is becoming well-known across English football for his incredible long throw, and once again the highly effective tactic paid off against Liverpool.
In the fifth minute, the 21-year-old launched a throw into the area causing chaos among the Liverpool backline, which ended with Dango Ouattara smashing home the opener from close range.
The long throw is just one piece of Kayode’s armoury though, and his vast set of attributes were on full display at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.
Kayode completed seven recoveries across the 90 minutes, and was forced to show the defensive side to his game during the first half, as Liverpool piled on the pressure after falling behind.
The wing-back dealt especially well with Cody Gakpo, who has impressed in recent weeks, limiting the Reds forward to just a single shot, which sailed over the crossbar.
When given the opportunity to show his attacking abilities though, Kayode took full advantage.
Keith Andrews gives Michael Kayode the freedom to thrive
One big change since Frank was replaced by Andrews in East London is Brentford’s formation, as they now often play with five at the back, rather than just four.
Kayode has been the biggest beneficiary of this tactical tweak, as it has given him the licence to go forward, especially against the bigger teams when he would’ve been expected to play a more defensive role under Frank.
One of the striking things about Kayode’s display against Liverpool was his willingness to drive inside, despite playing as a right-wing back.
As exhibited by his remarkable heat map, courtesy of Football Insider’s data partnership with Opta, Kayode’s athleticism and enthusiasm highlighted the weaknesses in Liverpool’s defence and Ryan Gravenberch-less midfield.
The Brentford star took advantage of the space in the Reds’ midfield, carrying the ball with exceptional pace and power, to good effect.
This comes as no surprise though, as he has been doing it all season and is among the best right-backs in the Premier League for successful take-ons, recording 1.7 per 90.
Kayode also showed intelligent decision-making against Liverpool, opting to pass quickly when the opportunity to drive forward didn’t immediately present itself.
While he is still certainly a raw talent and with lots of room for improvement, the former Fiorentina man has the skills to develop into a top Premier League wing-back. Kayode’s long throw has caught everyone’s attention, but it will be his ability with the ball at his feet that will keep him in people’s minds.