Alan Shearer highlighted the contributions of four Liverpool players after the Reds beat Aston Villa 1-0 on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Tyrone Mings.
The win keeps Jurgen Klopp’s side well in touch with title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea who also won this weekend.
Liverpool were made to work hard for the three points, with Steven Gerrard’s Villa putting up a stubborn resistance on his first return to Anfield as an opposition manager.
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Shearer hailed the performances of a number of Klopp's side as being crucial to winning the tightly contested game.
“We often talk about how good they are offensively," Shearer said whilst analysing the Reds' performance on Match of the Day.
“But to get through them, you’ve got to get through the quartet of the two midfielders, and the two centre-halves. It’s very, very difficult.
“The two in midfield in Fabinho and Henderson give so much protection. Van Dijk and Matip never lost a single header in the whole game.
“And Villa never even had an attempt on target. It’s down to those in the middle. That protection is just superb, it’s almost impossible (for other sides).”
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The return of Van Dijk in particular has contributed to Liverpool boasting the third best defensive record in the Premier League this season.
The 12 goals they’ve conceded so far is only bettered by Chelsea and City.
The Reds have won their last seven games in all competitions and will need to keep up their relentless form, with four league fixtures as well as a Carabao Cup quarter final to contest by the end of December.
Next up for Klopp’s side is a home clash with Newcastle on Thursday.
