The What Could Have Been Liverpool XI: The Defence
There have been several players in Liverpool's recent past who have enjoyed the best football of their careers at Anfield and inscribed themselves into the club's history with memorable performances.
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres -- to name but three -- either spent all of their careers or, in Gerrard's case as good as, with the Reds or -- with Torres as an example -- enjoyed their career-best runs of form in a Liverpool shirt.
There have been …
Key Stats As Liverpool's Sticky Patch Continues Vs West Ham
Liverpool dropped points for the second time in a week – only the second time all season that they’ve dropped points twice in a row – as they drew 1-1 at the London Stadium against a spirited West Ham side. But what were the key stats as the Reds found themselves losing ground in what looks to be an increasingly tight title race?
Super Sadio Steals The Show (Again)
Sadio Mané found himself the man of the moment for Liverpool …
Naby Keita is key to Liverpool's evolution going forward
Livepool's midfield is holding us back. Our defence is looking as solid as it has done in years and we possess one of the most feared attacks in Europe but with a midfield that lacks any sort of dynamism or creativity, the Reds will struggle to evolve into genuine title challengers. It goes without saying that our front three lacks the scintillating fluidity it possessed at the back end of last season but is that any surprise when the team …
Key Stats From Liverpool 3-0 Saints - Easy Street
Liverpool sauntered back to the top of the Premier League after sleep-walking to a 3-0 win over Southampton at Anfield, making it six wins out of six without even breaking a sweat. But what were the key stats from the Reds’ stroll in the park against the Saints?
Set Pieces and Late Goals Fuel Liverpool’s Attack
It’s a slightly strange situation to be in, but once again it was set pieces and goals late in the half that were the …
Is Van Dijk's defence capable of underpinning a title challenge?
Liverpool’s £75m capture of Virgil van Dijk made him the most expensive defender in the world. Of course, eyebrows were raised left, right and centre given the size of such an investment; a good defender for Southampton but one worthy of such an outlay? Outsiders weren’t particularly convinced.
Fast forward to the present and the critics have gone eerily quiet as it appears one man can indeed fix a defence.
A third successive clean sheet of the season in the …
Is centre-back still a problem position for Liverpool?
Over the last few transfer windows, Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool have significantly strengthened in a number of positions: the front line, the midfield and the defence.
The costly addition of Virgil van Dijk in January was a much-needed remedy for the Reds’ leaky defence, and the big Dutchman has undoubtedly improved things at the back for Liverpool with performances looking almost instantly improved since his arrival.
Whether the sudden improvement is totally down to Van Dijk’s arrival is up for …
Overhauling Liverpool’s Historic Lack of Goals
Over the years and certainly in the Premier League era, Liverpool fans have become accustomed to defence first football. The Liverpool of the Premier League have played football that is predominately tight, cautious, balanced and astute. There's nothing wrong with that defence first mentality, but how many league titles did it result in? None.
Arguably Liverpool's most renowned managers since '00 are Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, as these two managed the club for a combined twelve years in the …
Have Liverpool Learned How To Close?
With an 83rd minute Suarez-esque strike that left Stoke’s centre-backs with heads in hands, Mo Salah broke through yet another barrier for Liverpool. This mark though might have gone unnoticed amongst the Egyptian’s long list of accolades.
More than one-third of the way into the season, the Reds have tallied 28 goals, third most in the league, but only this latest among them came in the last 10 minutes of any match. In comparison, former Red, Raheem Sterling already has …
Five Defenders to Fix Liverpool's Defence - #4 Jose Maria Gimenez
A pair of gilt-edged centre-halves at the base, ensuring a stable last line of defence. Liverpool has seemingly needed them for an eternity. No matter the populous' opinion of Joel Matip, who harbours some concerns for the long-term, Liverpool simply must sign a centre-half of the utmost quality if they have any hope of continuing to move in an upward trajectory under Jürgen Klopp.
Considering Liverpool looks set to lose midfielder Emre Can on a free transfer, come the end of …
Can Liverpool Resolve Their Defensive Frailties?
An issue that is apparent to every Liverpool fan, pundit and neutral is that they’re remarkably frail at the back. They ship goals and not just the odd couple either. In fact, this has been a concern for a while for most people, but Jurgen Klopp and the club are yet to properly address the defensive vulnerabilities that are seemingly so evident to everyone else. After conceding 42 over the course of last season and 12 so far this campaign, …