Virgil van Dijk identifies key Arne Slot change compared to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool
Arne Slot has made an instant impact at Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk has been quick to highlight where the Dutchman has improved the team in the post-Jurgen Klopp era
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorVirgil van Dijk belives Arne Slot's biggest impact at Liverpool has been the improvements he's made to their defence.
The Reds have won all but one of their Premier League games under the Dutchman, who has made light of the challenge of replacing Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool have only conceded three times in their eight games, meaning they have the league's best defence by far as they sit top of the pile.
Virgil van Dijk remains a pillar of their backline, usually in front of Alisson, although the Brazilian is currently sidelined through injury. Van Dijk was among the most crucial signings of the Klopp era and played in their domestic and European successes.
He has noticed changes implemented by their new Dutch coach, highlighted the impact striker's are having on their defensive shape as the centre-half was keen to share the praise around the team.
He said: "I think it is the work we put in and it starts up front. That is the most important thing. You saw Darwin (Nunez) coming on against Chelsea, winning balls on the edge of our box and that is a good sign. It's obviously a good basis to have because if you are defensively solid and you're not conceding many goals or any goals at all, I think that is always a good way to success.
"I think at the start of the season, we saw numbers about what happens if your opponent is in the final third, how many bodies do we have behind the ball and I would say that has definitely changed. I wouldn't say it's [just] the last line and the goalkeepers making a difference, especially it's the guys in front of us again, so it's a team effort.
"I know how it works, me and Ibou (Ibrahima Konate) as the centre-backs or the goalkeepers will get the credit for the clean sheets but it's all about everyone in the team and credit to everyone who is doing that. And I am happy with the clean sheets, so hopefully we can get a lot more this season and be successful."
Andy Robertson is another signing from early in the Klopp era and enjoyed the same success as Van Dijk. The Scottish left-back has also noticed how the team has felt more secure with their new manager making subtle changes.
After the 3-0 win at Manchester United - one of their five clean sheets - he said: "We look a bit more secure defensively. We had a lot more control in our game. A clean sheet is massive. To come away to your big rivals like Manchester United and keep a clean sheet is massive."
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