Liverpool have experienced a remarkable defensive evolution this season. Once viewed as a team with crippling frailties at the back, they now boast the best defence in the Premier League, conceding only six goals in their opening 16 league games. Goalkeeper Alisson has been the catalyst behind their change in fortunes.
Many of the plaudits have been handed to Virgil van Dijk, and rightly so. He has been an absolute colossus at centre back ever since his January move from Southampton, giving Liverpool the back-four commander they have lacked since the days of Jamie Carragher.
While the Dutch defender has no doubt in fantastic form, it is is difficult to look beyond the impact summer signing Alisson has had on this Liverpool team. He has started to receive praise of his own after his heroics against Napoli in midweek, and it is not before time.
Sky Sports have broken down the numbers behind Alisson's impact at the club so far this season, and they are remarkable.
The difference in his percentage of shots saved in comparison to Liverpool's goalkeepers last season was discussed on Monday Night Football earlier this week, and the contrast was stark. Liverpool have gone from the second-lowest to the highest save percentage in the Premier League.
Sky Sports have now also revealed some of the more in-depth numbers behind his influence on the team. Using figures gathered by data analysts StatsBomb, it is possible to see the difference Alisson has made in comparison to an 'average' goalkeeper this season.
Based on the shots the Brazilian has faced this season, he would have been expected to concede 11.14 goals. He only conceded six. That difference of 5.14 goals is the highest in the league by a considerable margin.
Now compare this to the Liverpool goalkeepers of last season. Simon Mignolet played the majority of league games for the club, with Loris Karius filling in for the rest.
Mignolet ranked 33rd amongst Premier League goalkeepers, letting in 4.01 goals than would have been expected based on the attempts he faced. Karius fared slightly better, but still ranked 22nd amongst his peers.
That David De Gea stat from last season is incredible by the way. A difference of 13 goals is remarkable, and shows just how many points he won for his club last term. While many have remarked on his lack of from in the current campaign, he still ranks fourth in this stat. It appears he couldn't remain superhuman forever.
In terms of Allison's impact, this is of course an incomplete sample. We will have to wait until all 38 games are played to see if he can maintain his current pace. The early signs are good however.
Liverpool will need him to keep this up if they are to end their title drought next May.
