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Joe Gomez details how Liverpool have become the meanest defence in PL

  /  StanLee

The defender gives his verdict on how Jurgen Klopp's side have gone about becoming the Premier League's most miserly defence

Joe Gomez reflected on Liverpool's best ever start to a season defensively and insisted: “It's been a real team effort.”

The Reds have conceded just three goals in nine Premier League matches after keeping a sixth clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town.

It marks Liverpool out - alongside Manchester City - as the Premier League's most miserly defence, with the two teams shipping four less than Chelsea and Spurs' seven.

Gomez excelled once again alongside Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren and Andy Robertson as goalkeeper Alisson Becker was rarely tested.

A year ago the 21-year-old was part of the Liverpool side thrashed 4-1 by Tottenham at Wembley. The transformation overseen by Jurgen Klopp since then has been vast.

“We have worked a lot in training on being defensively sound as a unit and it's paying off,” Gomez told the ECHO.

“That's what we want – keeping clean sheets. It helps that in terms of the defence we've all been here since last season. We have played quite a lot of games together now. There hasn't been a new addition to the back four this season.

“It's about communication and knowing each other's game. There's a good understanding back there but it's just a good start.

“This is the foundation for the season ahead. There's a long way to go. We have to carry it on and keep that habit.”

The England international believes the work ethic of players further forward has helped to ease the burden on Klopp's backline.

“It's been a real team effort,” he added.

“It's not just about the back four, it's about how the whole team defend. We do it altogether.

“There's a real desire and attitude to stop teams scoring and that runs right through the team.

“It starts from the front. If they break the first line, our boys do so well to block passes. That helps us as a back four and puts us under less pressure so when we do have to defend it's not like we've been having to do it for the whole game.”

Gomez admits Liverpool were far from their best at the John Smith's Stadium but they dug deep to see off the lowly Terriers.

Klopp cut an animated figure on the touchline as the Reds made life difficult for themselves with some sloppy errors.

“The manager just wanted us to see the game out properly and do it the right way,” Gomez said.

“That's what top managers do – they always demand more. If he sees a flaw in a performance then he's going to let us know, regardless of whether we're winning, losing or drawing.

“We have to take that on board for the next game. We all know there's a lot of room for improvement.

“No game in the Premier League is easy, especially when you go away from home.

“It wasn't the most fluent of games and we didn't play our best football but when we got a chance we took it and we kept a clean sheet.”

Mohamed Salah was Liverpool's match-winner as he scored for the first time in five appearances.

It was the perfect confidence boost for the reigning PFA Player of the Year after a barren month.

“It's a massive goal and I'm happy for him,” Gomez said.

“Mo is bound to put pressure on himself – he strives to get the best out of himself every day.

“We all know his quality. It's not just about goals with Mo, even when he's not scoring he's still making a big contribution to the team.”

Now Liverpool turn their attention to Champions League action. After defeat in Naples earlier this month, they can't afford another slip up when Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade visit Anfield on Wednesday night.

"These two games against Red Star are crucial for us in the group," Gomez admitted.

"It was disappointing to concede that late goal in Naples. These are important games.

"It's still in our own hands and we need to put in a solid performance against Red Star and come away with the points that we need."

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