How to Win the Premier League

A modern football classic, How to Win the Premier League by Ian Graham provides an insider’s look into the data revolution that has transformed the beautiful game. Delving deep into the world of football statistics and analytics, this book offers a fascinating account of how data has become a crucial element in the operations of top football clubs, including Liverpool FC during one of their most successful eras. Ian Graham, as Liverpool FC's Director of Research from 2012 to 2023, presents an absorbing narrative of how data-informed decisions can lead to unprecedented success on the pitch.

Between the years 2012 and 2023, Liverpool FC experienced their greatest period of triumph since the 1980s, culminating in the long-awaited Premier League victory in 2020. This historic achievement came after a heart-wrenching 30-year wait. The author’s first-hand experience offers readers unparalleled insights into the data strategies that were instrumental in this success. From the pivotal appointment of Jurgen Klopp as manager in 2015 to the transformative signing of Mohamed Salah in 2017, Graham shares the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped these significant decisions.

The book doesn't just recount historical events; it also presents groundbreaking insights into modern football. Readers will learn about the surprising revelations of playing a season behind closed doors and its impact on home team advantage. Moreover, Graham unpacks complex topics such as the true identity of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and how data can uncover unexpected truths within the game. In an industry increasingly dominated by elite clubs, How to Win the Premier League charts a compelling path forward, showing how a data-savvy competitor can always find an edge.

This engaging narrative is brought to life with endorsements from football luminaries and experts. Daniel Finkelstein hails it as “the best book on football I have ever read,” while Sir Kenny Dalglish describes it as “fascinating and educational.” According to Sam Wallace, the chief football writer at the Telegraph, the book “deserves a place among the great modern books on football.”

Rory Smith, the author of Expected Goals and Chief Soccer Correspondent for the New York Times, praises the book as “a fascinating, witty and remarkably insightful account of Liverpool's reinvention and a clear-eyed, detailed explanation of the inner workings of modern football. Nobody is better qualified to tell either of those stories than Ian Graham, who stands as one of the most (quietly) significant figures in the recent history of the club and the sport.”

Christoph Biermann, author of Football Hackers, notes that “never before has the data revolution in football been described so well from the inside.” Ryan O'Hanlon, author of Net Gains and staff writer at ESPN, adds that How to Win the Premier League offers readers three books' worth of insights: it tackles inefficiencies in European football, showcases the transformative power of data in achieving team success, and provides an in-depth understanding of how football actually works.

For football enthusiasts, data aficionados, and anyone interested in the science behind success in the world’s most popular sport, How to Win the Premier League is an essential read. Packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and cutting-edge analysis, Ian Graham’s book will change the way you perceive football forever.