Klopp’s defence steels itself for sternest test in City showdown
Liverpool stats improve since arrival of Van Dijk Robertson ready to face ‘world-class’ opponents
Amid all the focus on the shoot-out between Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, the Champions League quarter-final is as likely to be decided by defensive sturdiness as attacking flamboyance.
Lavish praise has been showered over Liverpool and Manchester City’s strikeforces, but the expectation of a goal feast has as much to do with lingering suspicions about their ability to withstand pressure.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola can validly argue their defences have improved greatly over the past 12 months, yet both were exposed during recent encounters.
City have conceded just 21 goals in the Premier League, the signing of goalkeeper Ederson and return of captain Vincent Kompany an essential component of their title procession. They still conceded four at Anfield in January.
And although there has been a notable upturn in Liverpool’s backfour performances, the problems were evident earlier in the campaign when they conceded five at the Etihad, albeit when reduced to 10 men.
Greater Anfield security has followed the £75million signing of Virgil van Dijk, in conjunction with Loris Karius’s promotion as firstchoice goalkeeper. Since Karius replaced Simon Mignolet 13 Premier League games ago, it has taken, on average, 35 minutes longer to score against Klopp’s side. This is extended by three minutes when Van Dijk is playing. Karius has five clean sheets in his past six Champions League games, more than any goalkeeper in the competition.
His save percentage is 5 per cent higher than Mignolet’s, opponents achieve fewer shots per game since he and Van Dijk were paired, while Liverpool’s win rate has risen 16 per cent.
Van Dijk has visibly brought assuredness to Klopp’s back four, but while team-mates appreciate his contribution, full-back Andy Robertson believes singling out one or two individuals is simplistic.
“Of course it is easy when there is a personnel change to say it is on him or it is on him. But we feel as a team we are maturing every day,” said Robertson.
“I feel the more we play together, we are getting better. If you look at the defence compared to last season, there is Trent [Alexanderarnold] – who played just a couple of games before this season – Loris, who was second choice, and then Virgil and me, who are new signings, so it is a relatively new defensive structure.
“But as a team we feel we defend with 11 bodies. If we can do that as we have done in the last couple of games, we can keep them out.”
Liverpool’s cause tonight is helped by Sergio Aguero’s absence through injury, but Robertson acknowledged – perhaps with the exception of Barcelona – there was no greater defensive test than facing Guardiola’s side.
“You are playing against the best team in the league this season,” he said. “The people you are coming up against are world class and you need 100 per cent concentration.
“You need to look out for your opponent and who you are up against. As a team, but individually as well. We need to work together, work in twos and threes to get the ball back as quickly as we can. We need to double up on people and keep their top players quiet, and get our top players in the game.
“City’s movement is a joy to watch. As a defender, you need to