Dietmar Hamann says that Liverpool’s defensive stability means that they can still catch Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
The former Reds midfielder was speaking to talkSPORT following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Inter Milan last night.
Hamann believes that Liverpool’s ‘huge confidence’ in their defence has seen a big change from early season performances.
“I think the biggest difference with Liverpool now is that they seem to have huge confidence in their defence again,” the 48-year-old said.
“In the early part of the season they were leaking goals, hardly kept a clean sheet. But since that Chelsea game in early January, they hardly concede goals.”
Hamann is right. Since the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on January 2nd, Liverpool have conceded just three times in nine games.
Laying the foundations
Liverpool’s defensive depth is impressive. Along with Alisson, who has been incredibly good this season, Liverpool have four centre-backs who could play for any team in the world.
Yesterday’s partnership of Van Dijk and Konate stood firm against sustained pressure from Inter.
Hamann praised the duo whilst also suggesting that Van Dijk is getting back to his imperious best.
“The partnership of Van Dijk and Konate looks outstanding,” said Hamman.
“Van Dijk probably needed a bit longer than people thought after his cruciate ligament injury. But if you watch them now, they’re a proper side.”
A performance of Champions
Liverpool weren’t at their best last night. A large part of that can be put down to the quality of opposition, though. Inter are Champions of Italy after all.
Hamann thinks that the fact Jurgen Klopp’s team were able to come through a tough game with a win and a clean sheet, despite not playing well, shows that they can catch City.
“Yesterday they didn’t play well, but that was a performance of champions,” said the man who won the Champions League with Liverpool.
“If City were to slip up, I think Liverpool will be there. It doesn’t look likely at the moment, but I don’t think it’s all over in the league.”
Here’s hoping, Didi!
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