Damning stat now shows that Everton should be above Liverpool in the Premier League

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Everton have not had the best start to the season, as Sean Dyche’s side find themselves in 16th place, but perhaps they should be a lot higher.

Everton’s struggles in front of goal have been well documented, with the Toffees actually creating more expected goals (xG) than Manchester City this season, but scoring just nine times in eight games.

Ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Saturday, it has now been revealed that underlying statistics relating to xG shows that Everton should be in fifth place, with Liverpool, who are currently fourth, in sixth.

Everton ranked above Liverpool

A report from the Opta Analyst has placed Everton above their local rivals when measuring expected goals for and against.

Everton have been labelled as the biggest underperformers in the league through this metric: they should have scored a lot more based on the chances they created, and they should have even conceded slightly less.

The data indicates that Everton should have 14 points from a possible 21, with only seven to their name so far, and should have scored 15 times instead of nine.

With Everton 11 places lower than the data suggests they should be, they are by far the league’s biggest underperformers, and this may both be a good and bad thing.

Positive signs?

These statistics usually indicate performance levels, and it shows that to an extent, Everton have been unlucky in terms of results and output compared to the quality of their displays.

However, whilst Everton have created the second-most big chances in the league, only behind Newcastle with 28, they have missed the most and have had the most players miss big chances (12).

This shows that their current performances, and possibly tactics, are seeing players who are not typical goalscorers finding themselves on the end of chances, and their inability to convert chances will damage them if it is not resolved soon.

If Everton can find their scoring touch, then their performances may eventually breed results. If they do not improve their finishing, then there could be more trouble ahead.