The Europa League is Alfredo Morelos' playground and how his stats compare domestically

Steven Gerrard’s comments after yet another Alfredo Morelos masterclass in the Europa League win against Royal Antwerp last season hinted his talisman revels being centre stage on such a high-profile platform.

The Colombian thrives on this tournament, so much so, it only took him two-and-a-half seasons to surpass Ally McCoist's record as Rangers' top European marksman.

His Europa League record is mightily impressive. 24 goals in 47 matches is not to be sniffed at and they are, more often than not, important goals too.

The likes of Rapid Vienna, Legia Warsaw, Porto, Feyenoord, Benfica, Lech Poznan and Royal Antwerp are just some of the names put to the sword by the 25-year-old in recent seasons.

Alashkert are the latest team added to the list after Morelos' Ibrox strike proved to be the decisive winner over their two-legged playoff.

Last season, Morelos netted five goals and contributed four assists with an xG of 4.59. The previous campaign was more fruitful with 14 goals and 4 assists - even more impressive given his xG was just 8.88.

In Gerrard’s first term he would net four times including a solitary assist with an xG of 5.26.

His numbers are undoubtedly impressive, particularly in season 2019-20 when he continually produced on the big stage.

After contributing a goal and assisting with four others during the 5-2 win over Royal Antwerp at Ibrox last season, Gerrard gushed over his star man.

“I thought [Alfredo’s] performance was sublime, for sure.” He said

“He had a bit of everything and if you think about what a number nine needs to give in this system and this formation, he gave everything that we asked of him.

“He is really settled off the pitch at the moment with his family, he is really happy and coming into work with a smile on his face. Tonight we certainly got the best out of him and if he can keep performing like that from now until the end of the season, it is going to be a huge season for the club.”

Of course, it would turn out to be a huge season for the club domestically as they secured 55 in record time.

In terms of Morelos’ league form, however, the numbers don’t equate to those being achieved in the Europa League.

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Last season he netted 12 times in the Scottish Premiership, contributing three assists with an xG of 13.67. The 2019-20 campaign would see Morelos net 12 goals again, posting just one assist with an xG of 12.82. While in Gerrard’s first season at the helm, the Colombian netted 18 goals, contributing three assists and posting an xG of 16.26.

As we can see, Morelos’ numbers have gradually decreased domestically.

Why is that?

Well, there are a number of different factors to consider.

Firstly, as we all know, teams in Scotland, outwith Celtic, will generally look to stifle Rangers and line up in a low block. This is in stark contrast to how sides approach Europa League ties with many opening up and looking to impose themselves on the Light Blues.

More importantly, however, is the ever-changing role Morelos is being asked to adopt in this Rangers side.

After netting against Dundee United back in February, Gerrard said: "When you are talking about a talent like Alfredo, people automatically just judge him on goals.

"But as his manager who works with him every day, I think he has evolved in the time he has been here.

"We have tried to support him and guide him, because people forget how old he was when we arrived and how old he is now. He is still at a stage in his career where he can get better, physically, mentally, tactically and technically.

"There are still big compartments of his game that he can improve. That’s the exciting thing.

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"But there is no doubt he has evolved. He has improved his link-up play, improved tactically without the ball in terms of what the team needs and demands from him.

"He’s been an absolute pleasure to work with – the majority of the time. We all know the journey we have been on with Alfredo, that goes without saying.

"But one thing you can’t do is just judge him on goals because he has an awful lot more in his locker than just being a goalscorer."

Gerrard’s words allude to the different role Morelos is being asked to perform, particularly domestically.

Gone are the days when Rangers were solely reliant on Morelos to bang them in, he’s now an important cog in the machine with more emphasis placed on goals coming from different areas of the pitch.

This was evident last season when the likes of James Tavernier pitched in with a ridiculous 19 goals (including eight from open play), Kemar Roofe found the net 18 times, Ryan Kent scored 13 while Connor Goldson, Ianis Hagi, Joe Aribo netted eight times with Scott Arfield and Jermain Defoe bagging seven apiece.

To date, this season Morelos has scored just once in four Premiership encounters but his stats match up generally with his numbers posted last season so it wouldn’t necessarily be an issue that should cause alarm.

On Thursday night, however, when Lyon come to town, the 50,000 crammed into Ibrox will see, first hand, a player who lives and breathes for this competition.

The Europa League is his playground.

Whoever lines up at the back for the French side will know they’re in for a physical battle like no other and will have to be at their very best to stop the little Colombian from adding to his ever-increasing European goal haul.