LONDON (REUTERS) - Liverpool's push for a first English title in 29 years faces another test when they host Arsenal on Saturday (Dec 29) but the evidence suggests their formidable defence could be their key to ending a frustrating wait for a championship in the Premier League era.
The roar that swept like wildfire around the ground when Manchester City's defeat to Leicester City was confirmed on Wednesday told its own story - Anfield really is beginning to believe.
For while Juergen Klopp's unbeaten Liverpool were easing to a 4-0 win over Newcastle United to bring the dream of that elusive 19th English title into sharper focus, champions City were suffering a second straight defeat in less than a week.
So, at halfway, the gap between Liverpool and City, who slipped to third spot, now stands at seven points - and a comparison between their defensive records offers one of the major reasons why.
For Liverpool, boosted by signings of exceptional centre back Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson, have conceded just seven goals in 19 matches this season, 16 less than at the same stage last term.
City, in contrast, have shipped 15 goals and will arrive at Southampton on Sunday without a clean sheet in their previous nine games in all competitions.
Liverpool's attacking prowess has been long admired but full back Trent Alexander-Arnold points to how it now goes hand in hand with defensive stability at Anfield, where they have won eight of their nine league games, conceding just two goals.
"We have shown we're tough to beat and not only that, we're tough to score past. Not many teams come here and can score past us," the 20-year-old told the club website.
"We have kept a lot of clean sheets, especially at home. It's something we pride ourselves on as defenders and throughout the whole team.
"That's the foundation we've got to lay, then provide the balls for the attackers to go and do what they do best, scoring us goals."
Fifth-placed Arsenal were the last team to nick a point from Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates last month, but Unai Emery's side have since lost their way, dropping seven points in their last three games on the road.
An error from Stephan Lichtsteiner cost Arsenal dearly as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.
Arsenal were without four centre back options at the Amex Stadium and Emery will hope Nacho Monreal and Shkodran Mustafi could return for the weekend's clash.
CITY DEFENSIVE WOES
After conceding five goals in back-to-back defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester, Man City manager Pep Guardiola is also concerned about his team's defensive discipline.
"We started the season with clean sheets, we conceded five goals in I don't know how many games. It was incredible how stable it was," Guardiola said.
"But right now we are conceding goals and it's one of the big issues. We have a specific quality of players.
"We have players to play with a ball and it's not a team built to just defend a lot of the time. But you have to make that effort to change that dynamic."
Tottenham Hotspur stepped up their title drive this week, scoring 11 goals while defeating Everton and Bournemouth to move into second place, and they could wrap up the year with a sixth straight league win when hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will look to continue his 100 per cent winning start as they take on Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Following a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town, United remain sixth, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who visit Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight Jahanbakhsh was soon causing the Oman defence problems down the right flank but it was from a more central position that he opened
Soccer-Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last
Negredo boostThe one surprise was that it was only Alvaro Negredo's fourth game for Manchester City. The Spanish striker has been excellent all season, quicker, stronger and sharper than Edin
Football: Five things we learnt from the Premier League
"We have to get back our winning mentality again. Playing for the national team is all about results and winning international matches. "I truly believe Kadir is the best person to push us to the next level, be it mentally or physically," he said. Raddy not the answer for ASEAN Football Championship challenge
Baihakki Khaizan: Alam Shah brings missing link to Singapore
In what is a major coup, Kerala Blasters have announced the signing of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown for the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL). The defender has made a
Wes Brown - Wikipedia
Old Trafford no longer a 'scary' place to go to, says Pep LONDON • Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester United have lost the fear factor and that his Manchester City side are not afraid to go to Old Trafford any more in recent years.
'It is not scary to go there' - Pep Guardiola says Man City
Furious Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea players lack motivation Description: Chelsea remain in fourth place but are only three points above Arsenal and Manchester United after goals by Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny condemned his side to defeat.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave the club if he wants to. Sarri wants Hazard to stay but does not think the club should stand in the Belgian's way if he would
Chelsea transfer news: Eden Hazard can leave Chelsea if he
Belgium have risen to the top of the FIFA World Ranking for the first time ever, knocking Argentina off the summit. Marc Wilmots' side moved into first place thanks to their 3-1 Euro 2016
England up to sixth in FIFA rankings after run to World Cup
Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year absence LONDON (AFP) - Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (April 27).
'Young, hungry' Norwich City back in Premier League after
In this episode, we rant about our 1 year anniversary, geek news, gay news, the Dark Knight Rises tragedy, sexy news, weird crime stories, voice mails from listeners, our site of the week, and
Puppet sex, porn songs, salty language: 'Avenue Q' is back
Pep Guardiola vows to fight fire with fire as he prepares Manchester City to play like Barcelona and starve Lionel Messi of the ball. Pep Guardiola returns to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona on
Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday as Juergen Klopp's side took the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final tie without killing
Liverpool vs. Porto score: Firmino, Keita give Reds
Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer to relegation Mauricio Pochettino launched a furious rant at referee Mike Dean after Tottenham's Premier League title challenge
Football: Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump
You'll Never Walk Alone is perhaps the most famous song in football, and is heard before kick-off at every Liverpool match at Anfield.. It has travelled around the world as the Reds have toured
Albirex continue to dominate but Warriors FC showed good signs of resurgence. Find out who made FOX Sports Asia's Singapore Premier League Team of the Week 05. 18 goals in five matches within a
Singapore Premier League Team of the Week 14: Albirex
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch premier league live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch champions league live streaming bola
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch champions league live streaming video
watch live streaming of premier league football
free watch champions league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
watch live soccer stream android
watch premier league games live stream
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch premier league live in stream
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming free online
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch champions league live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch premier league live stream reddit
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch soccer game live now
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch soccer games live stream free
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch premier league live streaming free
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
#kroenkeout #nationsleague #manchestercity #afcnews #satira #commento #Barca #transfernews #knuckleball #realmadrid #thebeatles #ballondor #petercrouch #football #bayern #myfootballuniverse #oasisofficial #barcelona #oasisandbeatles #livesports #coys #freekickerz #coyg #chocolatecoffee #messi #visubal #cristianoronaldo #freekick #footballdubai #uefanationsleague #england #meunier #frasitrap #golazo #panini #footballmemes #football #cr7 #ucl #thomasmeunier #vip #Suarez #mancity #trollfootball #liverpool #midnight #girlsniteout #nikesoccer #footballmeme #comico #acmilan #soccerbible #premierleague #sunderlandafc #goal #kopisusu #championsleague #soccer #manunited #coutinho #Sunday #paulmcartney #oasis #Vip45 #crossfit #liverpoolcity #comics #oasisengland #nutmeg #liverpoolfc #elcasico #winner #PartyTime #seriea #streamingbolaid #valcea #leicestercity #soccer #goodday #footballstreaming #tokyo #hotcoffee #hoffenhiem #zinedinezidane #championship #americanfootball #livestreaming #pagani #livestreams #manchestercity #liverpoolfans
No comments:
Post a Comment