Sir Jim Ratcliffe praises Liverpool's data-driven success

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, recently praised Liverpool's strategic approach to data in football. He pointed to their former director of research, Michael Edwards, and manager Jürgen Klopp as key figures in their success. Ratcliffe called Edwards a "genius" who helped Liverpool use data effectively to build a strong team from 2015 to 2018. This team went on to win major trophies, including the Champions League and the Premier League. Ratcliffe criticized Manchester United for missing the data revolution seen in clubs like Liverpool, Brighton, and Brentford. He noted that while Liverpool had a skilled team analyzing player data, United currently lacks that capability. He emphasized the importance of combining data analysis with traditional scouting. He mentioned that United's current methods are not sufficient, relying too much on one person's observations rather than computer analytics. As United faces challenges, Ratcliffe highlighted the need for better recruitment and a stable management team. He believes proper data analysis and talent scouting are crucial for the club’s success moving forward.