Former Liverpool midfielder Craig Bellamy has revealed that he has been hugely impressed with the Reds’ defence so far this season, and especially with Virgil van Dijk.
Jurgen Klopp’s vaunted attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have failed to fire on all cylinders this term, but Bellamy believes the quality of Liverpool’s defence has negated that fact.
“I am more impressed with how solid they are because Liverpool have not been solid,” he told Sky Sports. “That front three will score goals, it is too long a season and they have too much quality not to. But my concern was always defensively and in transition, when they lose the ball they were always vulnerable.
“But with Virgil van Dijk being there now, they have just shorn it up. Maybe they got a touch lucky with Man City missing that penalty, but I have seen enough from the Chelsea and City games that defensively they can see out games now even if they are not playing well,” he finished.
OPINION
Bellamy’s opinion is probably a popular one because the Reds defence has been terrific this campaign. There’s been such an improvement in the Liverpool backline since Van Dijk arrived in January and that’s continued into this season. Joe Gomez has had a fabulous start this time around, while Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are pillars of consistency in the full back positions. As Bellamy says they got a bit lucky against City on Sunday when Riyad Mahrez skied the penalty that Leroy Sane had won from Van Dijk, but one poor piece of play from their defensive leader doesn’t mean this is a bad defence. On the contrary, they have evolved into one of the stronger units in the Premier League. In fact, they have outshone the team’s electric front three this season, who have been poor by their high standards thus far. The challenge will now be for them to continue their excellent form over the course of the campaign.
