Where Liverpool are UNTOUCHABLE compared to 'struggling' Man Utd

Over recent years, Liverpool have been heavily indebted to Alisson Becker.

The Brazilian shot-stopper is the best in the world and the Reds have been kind enough to give him ample opportunities to showcase his talents between the sticks.

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Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool weren't exactly watertight. There's no shame in acknowledging that either.

In three of his final four seasons in charge, the Reds had an Expected Goals Against total of over 47. During the 2022/23 campaign, the Reds gave up chances with an xGA total of 55.7. This, by far, was their worst season defensively under the German tactician.

Liverpool went from being defensively robust and resilient in the first few years of the Klopp era to relying heavily on Alisson to keep them competitive in those final years. It wasn't sustainable.

What the Reds are doing under Arne Slot, however, is sustainable.

Liverpool’s impressive numbers

There's still been a reliance on the goalkeepers. For example, Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher, filling in for the former Roma man against Bournemouth, have prevented 3.72 goals in the Premier League this season with their excellent shot-stopping skills.

Only four teams in the English top flight are over-performing their Expected Goals Against total by more. These four teams are Newcastle United, Manchester United, Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

These are struggling sides who are giving up more chances, so their goalkeepers are busier. The busier they are, the easier it is for them to rack up saves.

Liverpool, by comparison, have limited their opponents this season. They have the lowest Expected Goals Against total in the Premier League, by a considerable distance too. Slot's men have given up opportunities worth a total of 5.72.

The next best in the league is Fulham with 7.37.

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In a nutshell, the Reds aren’t giving up many chances. For context here, at their current rate, Slot’s men are on course to finish the campaign with an Expected Goals total of 31.

Obviously, the opposition they have come up against has played a part in this low number this term. But, even so, Liverpool have been able to smother and nullify teams in a way that others haven’t.

Arsenal and City are conceding more

The fixture list has been favourable but City did concede to Ipswich and Brentford. The reigning champions have conceded in six of their seven games while Arsenal have conceded in four. So far, Liverpool have had the more robust defence.

They have the best defensive record and the best underlying numbers. City, as mentioned above, have given up goals to inferior opposition. Arsenal have as well. The Gunners conceded two to Leicester City and one against Southampton.

The defensive numbers this season shouldn't be overlooked because of the opposition. Slot has made his side very difficult to break down. He’s done this by making the Reds as compact as possible out of possession, with the new 4-2-4 pressing structure.

Gravenberch KEY to Liverpool solidity

He’s protecting the middle of the pitch and the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch has definitely helped with this. The Reds needed that after what has gone on over recent seasons.

But what has been even more encouraging to see is that once they have been breached, haven't allowed more than one goal in a single game across all competitions this term.

It eases the pressure on the attack. So far this season, two goals would've been enough to win every single match. The longer you can extend this, the easier a title challenge is.

Whereas in previous campaigns, it was very much a case of being heavily reliant on Alisson to keep the team in games, now the structure is doing that.

It is no longer a house of cards propped up by the Brazilian keeper and his exploits between the sticks. His absence, though it will be felt, won’t be anywhere near as costly as it might’ve been last season, purely because the defensive unit is much more secure.