Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have become one of the most effective offensive units in world football.

The Reds are extremely difficult to prevent, with various channels of attack that opposing teams struggle to manage at once.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated in January: “They can put teams under pressure, play them long balls, second balls, corners. They put everything at you and you’ve got to concentrate at the back.”

The Manchester United boss hinted at Liverpool’s variation on the attacking side of the game, and Pep Guardiola has suggested similar this season.

The Man City boss said: “They are strong in set-pieces, when you sit back and defend in the box, they open up with Robertson and Alexander-Arnold with crosses, the arrive with Wijnaldum, the second balls, it’s almost impossible to live with the second balls.

“When you get back, when you attack, every mistake you can do, the biggest quality from Jurgen in all his career is with transition.”

Obviously, from the perspective of an opponent, Liverpool are a tricky opponent to defeat with Jose Mourinho labelling the Anfield outfit as ‘the complete puzzle’ while on punditry duty for Sky Sports earlier in the campaign.

One of the most underappreciated traits of Liverpool’s attack is the team’s ability to threaten in behind.

Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are faster than most once combined with Roberto Firmino’s inclination to drift into midfield, the trio present a difficult dynamic to opponents.

Liverpool’s tendency to pose a threat in behind is unrivalled in the Premier League this season, as captured below by passes per through pass.

Klopp’s men average a through pass roughly every 36 passes, which is more often than any other side, with City posting one every 53 passes.

Watford place at the opposite end of the scale, hitting a through pass every 75 passes which may stem from the lack of pace held by Troy Deeney and his offensive teammates, although Ismaila Sarr doesn’t quite fit that bill as Liverpool know only too well.

The Reds are ultimately able to drag defences forwards and backwards with greater effectiveness than any other outfit, and with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold positioned on either flank, the team are capable at stretching opponents from side to side, too.

There are a number of reasons behind Liverpool’s recent success under Klopp, but one of the most undeniable yet underestimated is the team’s ability to remain unpredictable by threatening across the board, but particularly in behind.