The Mail on Sunday

Colossus Van Dijk not only reason for Fortress Anfield

- By Joe Bernstein and James Sharpe

TAKE an imposing main stand, add a couple of world-class players and mix with a dose of pragmatism. It’s the perfect recipe for Fortress Anfield where Liverpool look as impregnabl­e as under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

The statistics are remarkable. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 27 Premier League home games. They have conceded only one goal in 11 matches, and Callum Paterson’s strike came in Cardiff’s 4-1 loss.

Mention the fortress word to Jurgen Klopp as he awaits Everton’s arrival for today’s derby and he quickly interjects: ‘Yes, and it should stay like this.’

On a more serious note, he believes the impressive run is due to more than one single factor. The £135million investment on defensive colossus Virgil van Dijk and Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson has been accompanie­d by a more streetwise approach from Klopp, whose team was seen as too gung-ho when he first arrived.

‘It’s both,’ he said. ‘We had to work on tactics. It was all about being as stable as possible in games. Last year, we were strong in moments when we could play like we wanted.

‘But in situations where we couldn’t play our way, we lost concentrat­ion and gave games away. We wanted to be more composed and more compact.’

Younger players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez have emerged as genuine first-teamers. The guidance of Van Dijk, who scored on his debut against Everton in the FA Cup in January, and Alisson, signed from Roma in the summer, has also been invaluable.

For Van Dijk, that goal against Everton remains an important memory. ‘It is still one of the best moments of my career,’ said the 27-year-old. ‘I made my debut for such a big club. It was a massive week for me anyway so to make my debut and score the winner was fantastic.

‘Being a footballer you know all about the derbies. I was prepared. To see it actually happen and to score the winner and the reaction after that was amazing.’

For Klopp, it was initial repayment for a £75m transfer fee paid to Southampto­n. ‘From the first second, Van Dijk has been brilliant,’ said Klopp. ‘I knew long before he signed that he would be outstandin­g as a player. The mix of both playing and leadership makes him outstandin­g. That is how it is with quality players.’

Alisson has also been a stabilisin­g factor. Klopp said: ‘He comes from the south of Brazil, the colder part and it makes him pretty much European. He is very calm, very good.’

The third ingredient to Liverpool’s home resilience is the redevelope­d Anfield itself. Klopp added: ‘It’s very difficult for other teams to play in our stadium.’

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