I’m really looking forward to seeing how Liverpool’s defence handles Manchester City on Sunday.
For the first time in a while, I’m going into a big game feeling reasonably confident about our back line.
That doesn’t mean I think we’re suddenly unbeatable. Far from it.
But there has been a noticeable improvement in Liverpool’s defensive performances under Andoni Iraola, and Sunday’s game against Manchester City will tell us an awful lot about just how far we’ve come.
Because keeping Bournemouth, Fulham and Ipswich at bay is one thing.
Facing Erling Haaland and a Manchester City side that won their opening five league matches is something else entirely. City arrived at the weekend top of the table, while Liverpool were sixth on nine points.
This is the test I’ve been waiting for.
Liverpool finally look more comfortable defensively
Cast your mind back to the opening weeks of the season.
There were genuine concerns about Liverpool’s defence, particularly after the problems at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong struggled in the position, opponents found opportunities to attack that side, and the whole back line looked less settled than it should have.
Then Iraola made changes.
Ronald Araújo moved into the right-back position, Jérémy Jacquet continued developing alongside Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez remained on the left.
The difference has been encouraging.
Liverpool kept three consecutive Premier League clean sheets before the international break, including that hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth. It was the first time the Reds had achieved that run in the league since the beginning of their 2024/25 title-winning campaign.
I particularly like what Araújo has brought to the defence.
He might not offer the same attacking threat as a natural wing-back, but he gives Liverpool strength, physicality and defensive reliability. Jacquet has also grown into the role, while Van Dijk’s experience remains invaluable.
And Alisson is still Alisson.
That is a good foundation.
But City will ask very different questions of them.
Haaland is the obvious danger
Let’s be honest: if you give Erling Haaland opportunities inside the penalty area, he is more than capable of punishing you.
He doesn’t need five or six chances to score. One good delivery, one defensive mistake or one moment when a centre-back loses concentration can be enough.
That is why I want to see Liverpool defend as a unit rather than relying on individual heroics.
Van Dijk and Jacquet will have to communicate constantly. Araújo and Kerkez must be careful about leaving space behind them, particularly when Liverpool push forward.
And the midfield has a massive responsibility too.
If City can play through the middle without pressure, Liverpool’s defenders will spend the afternoon running towards their own goal. That is when even a well-organised back line can begin to look vulnerable.
Liverpool cannot afford to let City dictate the game in front of the defence.
The pressing has to be coordinated, the distances between the midfield and back four must remain sensible, and somebody needs to close down the player supplying Haaland.
Otherwise, we could be in for a very uncomfortable afternoon.
Araújo and Jacquet could be crucial
Two players I will be watching particularly closely are Araújo and Jacquet.
Araújo’s arrival at right-back has helped Liverpool look more secure, but City will test his positioning and decision-making. He cannot simply concentrate on winning his individual battles; he must also know when to hold his position and when to support the attack.
Jacquet faces an equally important challenge.
The young Frenchman has impressed me with his composure and willingness to compete, but this is the sort of match that provides a genuine measure of a defender’s development.
He will face movement, quick combinations and runners trying to pull him away from Van Dijk.
I don’t expect him to get everything right. That would be unfair.
What I want to see is how he responds when City put him under pressure.
Does he remain calm? Does he make the right decisions? Can he recover quickly after a difficult moment?
Those are the things that will tell us more than simply counting his tackles.
This is where Iraola’s progress will be measured
Iraola deserves credit for the improvement we’ve seen, but I don’t think we should get carried away just yet.
The clean sheets are encouraging. The defence looks more settled, and the players appear to understand their responsibilities better.
However, the real measure of progress comes when you face opponents who can exploit the smallest weakness.
City are exactly that kind of team.
They can attack through the middle, stretch you out wide and punish you when you lose possession. Liverpool will need concentration for the full 90 minutes, not just a good opening half.
And there is another consideration: Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo through injury, as Iraola confirmed before the match. That makes defensive discipline even more important because Liverpool cannot assume they will simply outscore City.
If Liverpool are going to get a result, the team must be organised from front to back.
I’m optimistic, but Sunday will tell us more
I don’t want to turn this into a prediction that Liverpool will keep another clean sheet. City are too dangerous for that, and football rarely works so neatly.
But I do believe Liverpool have reasons to be more confident than they were a few weeks ago.
Araújo has helped stabilise right-back. Jacquet is gaining experience. Van Dijk remains the leader, and Alisson gives the team confidence behind them.
The improvement is real, even if we still need to see how it holds up against the very best.
Manchester City are the perfect examination.
If Liverpool can restrict their chances, stay compact and avoid the cheap mistakes that have cost them in the past, it would be a significant statement for Iraola.
And if the defence struggles, that doesn’t mean the progress has been meaningless. It would simply show us where the next stage of improvement is needed.
But I’m hopeful.
I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Liverpool defensively in recent weeks, and now I want to see that same organisation against a side capable of punishing almost every mistake.
The clean sheets have given us reasons to believe. Now Liverpool need to prove they can do it against Manchester City.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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