Last season Liverpool were a fine attacking side but all that attacking prowess was squandered thanks to the team’s poor defence.
The manager though has made sure that the defensive problems are rectified and Liverpool look a much more complete side this campaign.
Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez have flourished as the centre-back pairing and with the full-back, Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson putting in fine shifts too.
But all that hype associated with the Liverpool defence fizzled out to quite an extent when they came face to face with Manchester City on Sunday.
Liverpool’s defensive line looked weary and dysfunctional as Dejan Lovren and Virgil Van Dijk struggled all night to cope up with the likes of Aguero and Sterling.
The selection of Dejan Lovren in the first team meant, young Joe Gomez had to leave his place in central defence and play as a right full-back.
And speaking about the youngster BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks made it clear that Joe Gomez was the only man who had a calm head on his shoulders while everyone around him was panicking.
Crooks said: “In a game at Anfield where very few people managed to keep their cool, Gomez did,
Joe Gomez looked "as safe as houses" for Liverpool. Who else made Garth Crooks' team of the week?
➡ https://t.co/IaJM3LQ3tX pic.twitter.com/l84QsdrzNr
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 8, 2018
“Virgil van Dyke uncharacteristically blew a gasket when he charged into Leroy Sane to give away a penalty. Dejan Lovren was also lucky not to have given away two penalties as Liverpool looked more jittery than I have seen them for some time.
“Gomez, meanwhile, looked as safe as houses. Whether this young man plays in the centre of defence or as a full-back he is an outstanding defender and one you can rely upon.”
After this match, Jurgen Klopp should have gotten a clear understanding that Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk are going to be his first choice central defensive pairing for some time now.
And this means that Dejan Lovren will have to wait it out and perform whenever called upon so that he can reclaim his position from Joe Gomez.
Read: Gary Neville mocks Liverpool inside their dressing room during the Man City game.
Read: Former Man City and Liverpool player reveals why Jorginho is a better player than Henderson.
Read: Pep Guardiola reveals if he knew ‘this’ stat about Riyad Mahrez he wouldn’t have allowed the summer signing to take the penalty.
Read: Friends and foes unite as Man City’s Riyad Mahrez pulls off a Sergio Ramos.
