Liverpool have a defence worthy of a title challenge

As a younger Liverpool supporter compared to most, I have to think back to Rafael Benitez’s time at the club when it comes to discussing defensively sound Liverpool teams.

Defensively, Liverpool have just not been good enough for the majority of the last decade. The defence that stands out for all the wrong reasons when it comes to discussing Liverpool in recent years was the back four that Brendan Rodgers assembled in the title-challenging season of 2013-14.

Liverpool scored goals for a laugh that season, but conceded a total of 50 goals in the league. You will never win the league conceding that amount of goals, and with that being the case, Liverpool never claimed that maiden Premier League title they perhaps should of.

Now, that is slowly but surely changing with Jurgen Klopp putting together a defence that potentially could challenge for the Premier League title.

Klopp has got the club at a point where they can now attract the more talented players, which no doubt has helped transform the defence. In previous campaigns, Liverpool simply did not have an attractive nature like they used to, and you need an attractive nature if you want to bring in the best players.

The club also being financially stable has helped, which has allowed Klopp the opportunity to spend big on some individuals in key areas, and I think it would be fair to say that’s where the improvement has come from.

Let’s look at Virgil van Dijk. Many claimed we overspent when he was brought in for a fee of £75million, but for what we needed, those were nothing more than just uneducated comments.

The effect that Virgil Van Dijk has had on Liverpool's defence is mindblowing. pic.twitter.com/dz2IZBrmz0

— Anfield Press (@AnfieldPress) August 23, 2018

Since the Dutchman’s arrival in January this year, Liverpool look a completely different force down back. Statistically, Liverpool have not conceded a goal at Anfield in the Premier League since February and the Reds have not conceded a goal in either of their two games this season. Also, just have a quick glance at the above graphic if you’re not convinced yet.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

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Another area which has been exposed badly over the past few years is in goal. Liverpool have lacked a world-class goalkeeper since the departure of Pepe Reina. If there’s any supporters in the world that know how important the goalkeeping position is, just ask us Liverpool supporters.

Not to continue to go on about it, but Liverpool could have landed the Champions League trophy last season had we had a better ‘keeper in goal. The mistakes from Loris Karius will unfortunately never be forgotten, but with a new face in goal, supporters are starting to move on.

Bringing Alisson in, for what was at the time a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, has already proven to be a stroke of genius. He is everything we have wanted in a goalkeeper. He is assuring, confident and his distribution should not go unnoticed.

DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 04: Alisson Becker of Liverpool during the international friendly game between Liverpool and Napoli at Aviva Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Having had a limited pre-season with Liverpool due to the World Cup, he still looks as if he’s played with his current back four for a number of years.

The players brought in for big fees have been instrumental, but there have been a couple of really good finds as well.

Andy Robertson has really settled into life at Anfield well. He was quite an unknown quantity at first when he arrived from Hull City last season, but many now regard him as one of the best left-backs in the country.

The way he gets up and down the wing just shows his fitness and desire, but what occasionally gets lost in it all is his actual footballing ability. The Scot can seriously play.

On the other flank, Trent Alexander-Arnold looks like someone who has played at the top level for a number of years. Nathaniel Clyne, who I rate, has absolutely no chance of getting back in this side unless injury or suspension comes to Alexander-Arnold.

Lastly, Dejan Lovren will still very much consider himself part of Klopp’s back four. He was excellent towards the backend of last season for Liverpool, and then took that form into the World Cup. Although, Joe Gomez has been impressive in the first two games with Lovren currently being unavailable for selection.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United takes a shot and is blocked by Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on August 12, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

It is good there is competition for places, something that has not been present at Liverpool for a number of years.

The Reds no doubt need to keep van Dijk fit if they are to challenge, but the back four are now at a point where you can argue they are good enough to challenge for the title. Sure, a lot still needs to go right, but there is reason to be optimistic.

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Source: anfieldhq.com