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Winning the ball back in the opponent's third of the pitch. Teams that recover possession high up get immediate attacking opportunities. It's a key stat for measuring pressing effectiveness. High recoveries often lead to shots within a few seconds because the defense is scrambled. Coaches target a certain number per game as a measure of whether the press is working.
Liverpool's high recoveries during their title-winning season were off the charts. They'd win the ball in the final third multiple times per game, often converting those turnovers into chances within seconds.
Robbie
Jan 26, 2026
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