COLOSSUS VAN DIJK NOT THE SOLE REASON FOR FORTRESS ANFIELD
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, when Callum Patterson scored in Cardiff’s 4-1 defeat in October.
Mention the word fortress 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 conceded. ‘We knew 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, much more compact. It is the only way to collect points consistently.
‘That is what we tried and that is the way it has worked out so far.’
Younger players such as Trent AlexanderArnold, 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 been invaluable.
‘From the first second, Van Dijk has been brilliant,’ said Klopp. ‘It is easier for a centre-half coming in, the adjustment to the rest of the team is not that massive. It is harder for a midfielder because you can’t see situations that clearly.
‘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, they give confidence to others.’
Alisson has also been a stabilising factor and his saves from Riyad Mahrez earned Liverpool a goalless draw against Manchester City in what could have a bearing on the title race.
‘He is probably less South American than some of you,’ quipped Klopp. ‘He comes from the south of Brazil, the colder part, the opposite part to Bobby (Roberto Firmino) and it makes him pretty much European. He is very calm, very good.’
There will not be much calm at Anfield today if Everton manage their first win at the ground in 19 long years.
Walter Smith was in charge back in 1999 when Kevin Campbell’s early goal saw them win 1-0 in a rip-snorting encounter where Steven Gerrard was one of three players to be sent off.