Liverpool may not be playing with the same verve in attack, but a steeliness in their defence this season sees them breathing down Man City's neck in second spot, two points behind Pep Guardiola's troops.
One of the main reasons for Liverpool's defensive solidity has been the form of Virgil Van Dijk. The Reds have kept eight clean sheets this term with the big Dutchman an ever present at centre back.
One man who has recently been singing the praises of the defender is Didi Hamann. The former Liverpool midfielder appeared on Eamon Dunphy's The Stand podcast and made his feelings known about Van Dijk's impact at the club:
They've got by far the best defensive record since he's arrived about 18 months ago. The guy is an absolute monster, the best centre back in the world. What he does to the players around him, he makes them better. Gomez plays like a seasoned pro, he's only a young lad, he's missed a lot of football with injuries.
I seen him for the Netherlands against Germany where he scored a last minute equaliser, for me he's by far the best centre back in the world at the moment.
Hamann went on to say that he has 'very rarely seen one player make such a huge difference to a team', before tipping Jurgen Klopp's team to stay with City, as the Cityzens have played a 'flawless season' yet are only two points ahead of the Reds.
