Liverpool’s new edge. The defensive edge
Perhaps the most iconic moment in the 2013/14 Premier League season was that slip from Steven Gerrard. Liverpool hosted Chelsea on the 27th of April 2014 five points ahead of Chelsea and four points ahead of Manchester City who had an extra game in hand. Three games separated Liverpool from the much anticipated title. Gerrard slipped, Demba Ba scored and Mourinho’s men weren’t in his words ‘the clowns in the circus’. City won the extra game, and Liverpool headed to South London to face Crystal Palace needing goals to improve their goal difference. Brendan Rodgers’ team avalanched through the Palace defence missing chance after chance and with the score at 3–0, it was only a question of how many. In the last ten minutes however, Liverpool’s defence broke down and Palace came back from the dead to drew 3–3. Suarez wept as the title challenge was technically over. Liverpool’s dream of a first title since 1991 was coming to an end.
Liverpool’s impressive offensive performance saw Luis Suarez crowned the PFA player of the year and top goal scorer with 31 goals. Daniel Sturridge came second behind him in the scoring charts with 21 goals as the SAS wrecked havoc through the Premier League defences. Their defence being the 8th best defence didn’t help though, shipping 50 goals in 38 games and the three conceded in the last 10 minutes at Selhurst Park were the last nail in the coffin.
Fast Forward to 2017 and Klopp’s heavy metal football have concurred the league. The front trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino provided weekly enthralling entertainment. The pace, movement, and execution of the attacks were breath-taking. Aided by their ability to regain the ball on transitions, Liverpool thrived in chaos. Similar to the 2013/14 season, their defence hindered them again. Dodgy goalkeeping, defensive mistakes and frequent changing of the back-line all contributed to their defensive lapses.
Improvements to the defensive line were obligatory. 70 million pounds were dished out to sign Virgil van Dijk in January, an addition that massively improved the team as they conceded only fourteen goals after January. Nearly half of the goals conceded before January.
The goalkeeping issue kept haunting Liverpool throughout the 2017/18 season. Whether it was Mignolet or Karius, the sense of confidence that the keeper provides to his back-line was non existent. From the Xhaka goal in the 3–3 draw with Arsenal to Karius’ nightmare in Kyiv, both keepers were responsible for disappointing results throughout the season. Liverpool were in search for a keeper, and they found their holy grail in Alisson Becker, the shot-stopper whose amazing saves at Roma captured the eyes of major European clubs. His consistent saves instilled confidence in the Liverpool defence, that save in the Merseyside derby that denied Everton from taking the lead is a prime example. Not only the crucial saves, but the anticipation of long balls behind the Liverpool defence. David Luiz’s ball to Willian in the game at Stamford bridge put him in a 1 v 1 situation, but Alisson’s anticipation of the ball meant that he was in a position that made the 1 v 1 easier for him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez shape the newly formed defensive back-line alongside Van Dijk. Both English youngsters provide solidness and compactness. The former has impressed offensively in terms of creativity, wing play and free kicks. His wonder free kick against Watford showcases his high technical ability, but defensively he has also impressed. Giving left wingers a tough time near the touchline and tucking in the penalty box to cover for opposition cutbacks from the other side. Gomez’s positioning on the other hand has been monumental, reacting to balls behind him brilliantly, and complementing Van Dijk who is arguably the best defender in the league. Van Dijk whose performances have been monstrous maintained the levels he showed last season. Neutralizing Arsenal’s attacks in the trip to the Emirates, and dominating the opposition aerially whoever he was. On the left side, Andy Robertson cemented his place in the starting eleven this season. Providing width from the left side, and a low fizzing cross which is slowly turning into a trademark goal with Salah on the end of that cross. Perhaps the early trip to Selhurst Park was the stepping stone for this Liverpool defence, Alisson’s saves and Van Dijk’s resilience resulted in the game ending in a 2–0 win for Liverpool. The second goal and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card stemming originally from a Van Dijk heading clearance.
The personnel have improved Liverpool’s defence. The major change though was in the style of play. The space behind the full backs was a major issue for Klopp last season with Henderson slow to react in defensive transitions. This season Klopp’s 4–3–3 adapted to minor tweaks. As the full backs advanced when in possession the near sided midfielder dropped to cover the space. James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum completed the back four whenever the full backs were in advanced positions. As Klopp moved away towards the 4–2–3–1 and 4–4–2 system it was the wingers who covered for the full backs as moving one of the midfielders to do that role would vacate space in midfield. Also, the move away from the 4–3–3 keeps Liverpool in a more compact system as it’s harder to break the two lines of four.
All of the above along with Liverpool’s counter-pressing transformed them from an entertaining side into an effective side. The result was 6 goals conceded in 16 league games thus far, not conceding more than a goal a game. The best defence in the league, and first place after City stumbled when they visited Chelsea on Saturday.
Liverpool’s defensive transformation is giving them a new edge. The edge needed to compete with City for a long awaited title, but first they entertain Napoli seeking progression to the Round of 16. A goal and a clean sheet is all what is needed, can Klopp’s side prove their defensive solidity ?
