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.
Silverware matters most to Emery as Arsenal aim to win for missing Mkhitaryan It remains to be seen if Mkhitaryan's absence will handicap Arsenal on the field at the Baku Olympic Stadium, as
Silverware matters most to Emery as Arsenal aim to win for
Football: Kane could be out for rest of the season, says
Kevin-Prince Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports Description: Born in Germany, the half-brother of Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng moved to Serie A last year after helping Eintracht Frankfurt win the German Cup.
Football: Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports
extratout.com/2019/01/21/football-boateng-set-for-shock-barcelona-move-reports/
MADRID (AFP) - Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng is on the verge of joining Barcelona in a shock loan move from Italian side Sassuolo, according to media reports in Spain on Monday.Catalan daily Sport reported that the leaders of La Liga had agre
Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports - ARYSports.tv
NEWCASTLE, England (REUTERS) - Newcastle United's 2-0 win over 10-man Huddersfield Town on Saturday (Feb 23) eased their Premier League safety fears and sent the Terriers hurtling ever faster
Soccer: Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the
Having made his debut in 2016, Hibernian striker Maclaren netted his first Socceroos goal thanks to a deft header. Rogic's left-wing cross had plenty of pace on it and Maclaren, with his back to goal, helped it on its way into the far corner beyond Rami Hamada. Shot-shy Palestine lack creative edge
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Palestine 0 Australia 3: Maclaren and
Category Music; Song Keep You in Mind; Artist Guordan Banks; Album Keep You in Mind; Licensed to YouTube by Kobalt (AWAL Digital Limited), Vydia (on behalf of Bank On It Entertainment, LLC); Sony
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting Madrid, Spain: Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a range of social issues, including racism. Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken.
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match. Paris Saint-Germain's Dani Alves, Neymar and Thiago Silva walk on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 13, 2018 on the
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - L'Equipe
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar on Sunday left the door open for a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The world's most expensive footballer is currently recovering from a foot injury which he suffered on January 23 and has been linked with a return to La Liga ever since joining PSG from
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid - rappler.com
FacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmail Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has forgiven Chelsea coach Marco Ianni for his celebration of Ross Barkley's late equaliser. As
Jose Mourinho's Manchester United Exit Fee Less than £16
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch soccer live stream app
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch soccer game live espn
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch premier league games live stream
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch soccer game live now
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch champions league draw live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch premier league stream reddit
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch champions league final live streaming
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch champions league live streaming match
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch english premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming live
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch soccer aid live stream
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch soccer online free streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch soccer am online live streaming
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch the champions league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch the premier league live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
soccer tv live net stream
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming direct
#transfernews #nationsleague #valcea #alissonbecker #petercrouch #soccerbible #kopisusu #hotcoffee #romania #premierleague #Barcelona #nikesoccer #roadtrip #nutmeg #adidasslipon #Bar #bundesliga #sunderlandafc #kroenkeout #arsenalnews #manchestercity #winner #manchestercity #mancity #barcelona #battuteepiche #trollfootball #championship #ballondor #leicestercity #coffeebreak #oasis #mancityvsliverpool #liverpool #zidane #henderson #conference #ignoranza #golf #vandijk #cappucino #liverpoolfans #mane #livesports #golazo #lionelmessi #portsmouthfc #fcbarcelona #livestreams #cr7 #league1 #MSport #arsenal #england #Liverpool #livestreaming #cristianoronaldo #manchestercity
No comments:
Post a Comment