The case for the defence

[WhiskeyJar]

It's not just Liverpool's much-vaunted attack that has been impressive this season.

 

The Reds limited Bournemouth to just one shot on target at Anfield on Saturday as they claimed a 15th clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

 

To put that into perspective, only top-four rivals Manchester United have more shutouts in the top flight this term with 16.

 

In fact, over the season, Klopp's side have limited their opponents to just 94 shots on target - a miserly total beaten only by newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City (77).

 

Blimey when did that happen?

[sir roger]

We've never let many shots happen , they just all ended up in the net.

[aws]

We've never let many shots happen , they just all ended up in the net.

We were mostly ok until the ball got in the six yard box.

[Dr Nowt]

It's not just Liverpool's much-vaunted attack that has been impressive this season.

 

The Reds limited Bournemouth to just one shot on target at Anfield on Saturday as they claimed a 15th clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

 

To put that into perspective, only top-four rivals Manchester United have more shutouts in the top flight this term with 16.

 

In fact, over the season, Klopp's side have limited their opponents to just 94 shots on target - a miserly total beaten only by newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City (77).

 

Blimey when did that happen?

 

[Evelyn Tentions]

Not just VVD. Robbo has made a fucking giant improvement on the left (not just his defensive play - he's working well with Mo)

[Ne Moe Imya]

I actually think that as much as VVD (and Robertson) have improved us, the biggest difference is Karius.

 

I know, I know, but it's true! If we had the exact same setup in front of him but Mignolet were in goal, then Bolasie, Diame, and Arnautovic all score in the last few months (or at least 2 of the 3) and we're still talking about our defense as a big problem. 

 

The crazy thing is that those were all top saves, too - it's not like we would be blaming Mignolet for letting them in. We'd just be bemoaning our bad luck that Diame put it right in the corner or Arnautovic squeezed it in over Mignolet and wondering why van Dijk didn't solve all our problems.

[G Richards]

I’m looking forward to a whole season with this set up. We will finish with the most clean sheets. I suspect Man City will still score a few more goals, but it will be close.

 

VVD

Karius

Robertson

 

That’s the order I would put it in terms of contribution to the overall defensive improvement. But even then, we have to be aware that it’s a team thing. For example, I saw the stats on the amount of tackles Firmino puts in. Without that sort of industry up front the defence has to deal with much more, so even though it’s a bit blasé to say, it really is a team effort.

[JustTosh]

I’m looking forward to a whole season with this set up. We will finish with the most clean sheets. I suspect Man City will still score a few more goals, but it will be close.

 

VVD

Karius

Robertson

 

That’s the order I would put it in terms of contribution to the overall defensive improvement. But even then, we have to be aware that it’s a team thing. For example, I saw the stats on the amount of tackles Firmino puts in. Without that sort of industry up front the defence has to deal with much more, so even though it’s a bit blasé to say, it really is a team effort.

Don't forget Arnold has also improved a lot. He's a much more solid defender now than he was 6 months ago. So we have:

 

VVD

Karius

Robertson

Arnold

[Nasty Lizard]

I’m looking forward to a whole season with this set up. We will finish with the most clean sheets. I suspect Man City will still score a few more goals, but it will be close.

 

VVD

Karius

Robertson

 

That’s the order I would put it in terms of contribution to the overall defensive improvement. But even then, we have to be aware that it’s a team thing. For example, I saw the stats on the amount of tackles Firmino puts in. Without that sort of industry up front the defence has to deal with much more, so even though it’s a bit blasé to say, it really is a team effort.

 

Just wait til Naby is ratting about in midfield in front of that defence....

[mattyq]

I keep humming 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;

Don't know why

[stringvest]

I keep humming 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;

Don't know why

 

 

drugs.  They do work.  Fuck you Ashcroft.

[G Richards]

Don't forget Arnold has also improved a lot. He's a much more solid defender now than he was 6 months ago. So we have:

 

VVD

Karius

Robertson

Arnold

 

 

Absolutely! TAA is coming on leaps and bounds. Early on I'd have given the nod to Joe, but TAA has shown more, especially lately, and is starting to really look the part. 

[mattyq]

drugs.  They do work.  Fuck you Ashcroft.

Haha, chance would be a fine thing