Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness says that Liverpool could have a back five for the next 10 years ahead of the Reds’ clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
Liverpool have had a brilliant season so far. Undefeated in 16 matches, Jurgen Klopp’s men have conceded the fewest goals in the league and have only conceded once at home.
Why is Liverpool’s defence so solid? Five things you need to know…
- Virgil van Dijk has won the most aerial battles (71) and made the most clearances (81) than any other Liverpool player.
- Comfortable at playing from the back, Van Dijk has also made the seventh most completed passes in the league (1,233).
- The Reds only spend 22% of time in their own half.
- They don’t give away many fouls. The second fewest in the league (17).
- On average the Reds score after 32 minutes allowing them to shut up shop early.
Souness says that the current Liverpool squad is the strongest he can remember and says their back five could be there for another decade.
“It’s the strongest squad I can remember,” Souness said (via the Independent.IE).
“And they’re playing it down. I’m mystified. I’d be shouting from the rooftops. I think they’ve got a real team there.
“I think Van Dijk is a superb player. And I’m a little bit surprised he ended up at Liverpool because when the transfer didn’t happen the first time, I thought that would alert the likes of Barcelona. He’s as good as anyone out there.
“If you look at Liverpool’s back five, they could be together for a decade. If you’re going to win trophies, you’ve got to be better defensively.”
Is this the best chance Liverpool have had to win the Premier League?
Liverpool have never won the Premier League and the last time they finished first in England’s top tier was back in 1989 when they won the First Division title.
The Reds have enjoyed plenty of glories in domestic tournaments and in Europe for the last 30 years and have come close to winning the league, finishing second three times.
The closest they came was during the 2013-14 season when Liverpool finished in second place, two points behind current champions Manchester City. Liverpool were in a commanding position with three games left to play, but Gerrard slipped, Demba Ba capitalised and the rest is history.
Like the 2013-14 season, they are neck-and-neck with Manchester City who show no signs of slowing down despite their blip against Chelsea last weekend. The Reds have a game in hand over City, but they face a tough game against Manchester United on Sunday despite their long-time rivals’ struggles this season.
The Reds definitely have the talent, the manager and the finances to finally pull it off this season, but they will have to be close to perfect to usurp City.
The post Liverpool have a back five for the next 10 years, believes Souness appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2A49pPX
No comments:
Post a Comment