Despite an unbeaten start which has seen them go six points clear at the top of the Premier League, Liverpool are yet to keep a clean sheet at Anfield this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have won all but one of their domestic fixtures this season but have kept just two clean sheets in the league thus far. This is a stark comparison to last year, when they kept an impressive 21 clean sheets in 38 Premier League games.
This seems strange when you consider that the Reds have kept faith in primarily the same back five that was so successful, with the exception of Alisson who missed a period earlier in the season due to injury. Joel Matip has also missed recent games due to injury and after his excellent start to the season, it seems as if Jurgen Klopp’s defensive line is struggling in the absence of the Cameroonian.
Here’s what Liverpool fans thought about the stat:
The midfield is the main problem! Fabhino is carrying the rest in this department
— Charles Zindoga (@svosve_26) November 7, 2019
Sloppy marking, most goals coming from set pieces or patches of play when defenders aren’t following their men
I hate to say it but Van Dijk is having an average season at best and think this could be one cause of it; seems to be a lack of control or leadership there
— chris kavanagh (@ChrisKavanagh97) November 7, 2019
And thats the worry, if we let city play us at their game, they’ll beat us. We’re leaking dodgy goals and relying on last minute goals to get points, this cant go on. Saying that, if we show no fear, and attack them for the whole game, I think we’ll beat them. We have to improve
— Steven Armstrong (@LFCMETALHEAD) November 7, 2019
We do seem vulnerable at the back. Maybe a bit casual at times. It needs to be addressed.
— Mohamed Simjee (@MohamedSimjee) November 7, 2019
High line with no tracking back.
— mm (@mohmanjdo) November 7, 2019
James its About time Liverpool had Clean Sheets I Don’t know when Last we had One we Keep on Conceding Stupid Goals every Game Unnecessary
— Justin Cole (@JustinCole46103) November 7, 2019
Liverpool fans clearly feel that although their defensive form is not as strong as last season, they are still picking up wins, so there isn’t much cause for concern yet.
What do we think?
It is surprising that last year’s PFA Player of the Year Virgil Van Dijk has generally been outperformed by Joel Matip so far this season, with the Dutchman averaging a 7.16 compared to Matip’s 7.34. When he returns Liverpool may be slightly more defensively sound, but the attacking nature of their full-backs will always leave them vulnerable to counter-attacking teams.
The Reds’ defence will have to be at their best if they want to keep a clean sheet against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Sunday, as they’ve already bagged 34 goals in 11 Premier League games.