Liverpool have become a more defensive-minded team this season, insists club legend Jamie Carragher
The former defender believes the presence of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson has changed the nature of Jurgen Klopp's side
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Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool have transformed into a more defensive-minded team under Jurgen Klopp this season, thanks to the presence of Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson.
The devastating attack that powered Liverpool’s charge to the Champions League final last season has regressed a little with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all struggling for goals at various times, but their back line has conceded just five goals in 13 Premier League matches.
Van Dijk has lived up to his eye-watering £75 million price tag since arriving from Southampton in January, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Joe Gomez, while Alisson has proved a huge upgrade from Simon Mignolet and the much-maligned Loris Karius in goal.
Carragher believes Liverpool are now a team closer in style to the best sides he played in during his career, with their success no longer dependent on outscoring the opposition.
“It's interesting because the narrative all season has been about when Liverpool are going to start playing like last season,” the former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit said on ‘Monday Night Football’. “However, it may get to the stage where we ask are Liverpool maybe slightly different this season.
“Don't forget there's no Philippe Coutinho. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brought great drive and pace from midfield. The front three were away at the World Cup also. You've now got Virgil van Dijk and a goalkeeper.
“Is it a little bit more like the Liverpool teams I played in? Last season I said this team plays football that our teams never played. But it's actually now going back a little bit to maybe [Rafa] Benitez and [Gerard] Houllier's sort of time.
“They probably do play a little bit more football than we did but they can actually rely on the defence to win them a game.”
Liverpool lie second in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Manchester City, having won 10 and drawn three of their opening 13 matches this season. They have scored 14 goals fewer than City, but have kept eight clean sheets.
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