After Liverpool scored their opening goal against Crystal Palace, the commentary team rattled out the latest statistical update on Liverpools unbeaten run when leading at half-time (or so I presume, as the match was not televised on U.K. television).For those that are not aware, the Reds are unbeaten in their last 94 matches in which they have led at half-time, winning 84 of those (89 per cent).Its an interesting statistic and understanding why Liverpool are so good at defending a lead or extending one is interesting too, as it fundamentally underpins so much of Liverpool's game-to-game tactics and wider strategy for game management.The fundamental issue at stake here is game state, which is the scoreline and the effect it has on how much risk each team is willing to stake, to change or maintain that scoreline.The principle is simple, but the implications have determined a favourable result for Liverpool's in nearly 100 games. When scores are tied, the game state isnt advantageous to either team, whereas when one team is leading they have the advantage in that they are able to dictate the game, and importantly, the trailing team has less say in how the game plays out.When Liverpool take the lead they take the game state advantage. It means Liverpool can take on less risk, because if the game stays the same, Liverpool win. Hence, the opposition team has to take the risk: this means committing players forward, moving up the field and engaging in build-up in their own defensive third in order to create possession structures in the middle and final third. For Liverpool, this is ideal for a number of reasons.Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesThe first is that the defence is extraordinarily comfortable at defending. With Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and one of either Joe Gomez or Joël Matip at the back, its near impossible to get the better of them; add to this that they are supported not just by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson but also by all six players ahead of them who form a central block, preventing the opposition from progressing centrally. Because of this personnel the team is strong at defending set-pieces and are brilliant as both individuals and a unit at defending. Often this means opposition teams are restricted to harmless longshots, which Alisson saves easily.The second aspect is linked to the defence and it is that Liverpool are a brilliant team at controlling both the ball and the space on the field. When game state is even, the Reds do not usually give up good chances and dictate where the ball goes, keeping it out of dangerous areas when in opposition hands. With the game state advantage, the team is even better at doing this.Liverpool are also widely regarded as the best team in the world at both pressing and in transition. As opposition teams chase a game they usually try to pass up the field. Each of these passing chains is an opportunity to press and win the ball in dangerous areas and blast teams away, turning a 1-0 advantage very quickly into a two or three-goal lead, which weve seen over the entirety of Klopps time as manager. Usually after taking a two or three-goal lead in a flurry, the team eases the frequency with which they press and settle into a defensive shape, ready to counter. Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesThe moments for defensive-to-offensive transition grow when defending too. With the team in a settled defensive shape the Reds take on less risk, but are ready to spring at a moments notice and swarm forward, catching a team before they have an opportunity to settle into their defensive shape.Perhaps the most obvious aspect of the game state advantage's importance for Klopp's Liverpool is that the Reds are lethal in transition, and when taking the lead the opportunities to counterattack are more regular and carry more opportunity to score because of the risk that the losing team takes. This plays directly into Liverpools hands especially because of the players the Reds have. Mohamed Salah is the most lethal inside forward in the world and excels at dribbling, finishing and one-one-ones, as do his forward partners Sadio Mané and Diogo Jota. Their electric pace, amazing control and finishing make Liverpool the best counterattacking side in the world, while Roberto Firminos deeper false nine play only gets more out of his wide partners who have more opportunities to come inside. Add into this the creativity and passing range of all of Liverpools deeper players, including Alisson, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, and it becomes apparent why chasing a game against Liverpool is so challenging.Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated ArticlesWhen a team leaves pockets of space against Liverpool, it is usually enough for the Reds to take the lead, but when they leave vast expanses of space, its an invitation for the creative players to tee off and chip, lob, curl and hit all other manner of passes onto the green grass for the forwards to run onto.The game state even gives Liverpool a physical advantage too. When in a settled defensive shape and deciding to reduce the volume of pressing, as usually happens a little while after scoring the players can conserve their legs and remain fresh. Over a season, being able to score an early goal and then sit off for 60 minutes or so makes an enormous difference to the players, who will complete fewer sprints, cover lower distances and be able to come off earlier in a game, keeping the squad fitter and with a better chance of picking up fewer injuries. In Liverpool's title-winning 2019/20 campaign, early goals usually from set-pieces were the key to Liverpool being able to cruise through games in a brutally efficient manner by taking the game state advantage. This season, with the Reds being back to their prolific best from set-pieces, Jürgen Klopp will be aiming for more of the same.Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles