Klopp masters balance between attack and defence

Virgil van Dijk (below) and Alisson have turned Liverpool from title hopefuls to genuine contenders and have improved the defence from joint-fourth best in the Premier League last season (an average of one goal conceded per game) to the clear best this season (0.37 per game).

The manic high press has been turned down – opposition teams are not being shut down so relentlessly.

Though this more measured strategy means Liverpool produce fewer scoring chances from turnovers, a reduction in attacking intensity makes them less vulnerable to swift counter-attacks. Jurgen Klopp has finetuned his team and got the balance right. United put in an average of 21 crosses per game – the fourth most in the league behind Huddersfield, Leicester and Everton – so opponents know that if they lose possession and get into a defensive shape quickly, they can easily block the path to goal and force play out wide.

When United have a chance to counter-attack, players do not get into positions quickly enough to enable vertical passing. This slows play down and allows the defending team to get back in shape to defend crosses – which Van Dijk and friends will not struggle to deal with.