LONDON (REUTERS) - Liverpool's push for a first English title in 29 years faces another test when they host Arsenal on Saturday (Dec 29) but the evidence suggests their formidable defence could be their key to ending a frustrating wait for a championship in the Premier League era.
The roar that swept like wildfire around the ground when Manchester City's defeat to Leicester City was confirmed on Wednesday told its own story - Anfield really is beginning to believe.
For while Juergen Klopp's unbeaten Liverpool were easing to a 4-0 win over Newcastle United to bring the dream of that elusive 19th English title into sharper focus, champions City were suffering a second straight defeat in less than a week.
So, at halfway, the gap between Liverpool and City, who slipped to third spot, now stands at seven points - and a comparison between their defensive records offers one of the major reasons why.
For Liverpool, boosted by signings of exceptional centre back Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson, have conceded just seven goals in 19 matches this season, 16 less than at the same stage last term.
City, in contrast, have shipped 15 goals and will arrive at Southampton on Sunday without a clean sheet in their previous nine games in all competitions.
Liverpool's attacking prowess has been long admired but full back Trent Alexander-Arnold points to how it now goes hand in hand with defensive stability at Anfield, where they have won eight of their nine league games, conceding just two goals.
"We have shown we're tough to beat and not only that, we're tough to score past. Not many teams come here and can score past us," the 20-year-old told the club website.
"We have kept a lot of clean sheets, especially at home. It's something we pride ourselves on as defenders and throughout the whole team.
"That's the foundation we've got to lay, then provide the balls for the attackers to go and do what they do best, scoring us goals."
Fifth-placed Arsenal were the last team to nick a point from Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates last month, but Unai Emery's side have since lost their way, dropping seven points in their last three games on the road.
An error from Stephan Lichtsteiner cost Arsenal dearly as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.
Arsenal were without four centre back options at the Amex Stadium and Emery will hope Nacho Monreal and Shkodran Mustafi could return for the weekend's clash.
CITY DEFENSIVE WOES
After conceding five goals in back-to-back defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester, Man City manager Pep Guardiola is also concerned about his team's defensive discipline.
"We started the season with clean sheets, we conceded five goals in I don't know how many games. It was incredible how stable it was," Guardiola said.
"But right now we are conceding goals and it's one of the big issues. We have a specific quality of players.
"We have players to play with a ball and it's not a team built to just defend a lot of the time. But you have to make that effort to change that dynamic."
Tottenham Hotspur stepped up their title drive this week, scoring 11 goals while defeating Everton and Bournemouth to move into second place, and they could wrap up the year with a sixth straight league win when hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will look to continue his 100 per cent winning start as they take on Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Following a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town, United remain sixth, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who visit Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Home United won the AIA Community Shield after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Albirex Niigata at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday. The AIA Community Shield, a curtain-raiser to the 2019
Singapore Premier League: After beating Albirex Niigata in
Madrid - Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is fit for Saturday's Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur despite missing the end of the Premier League season, manager Jurgen Klopp
Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final
SINGAPORE — New Singapore national football coach Tatsuma Yoshida got off to a winning start in his first match in charge, yet the Lions' 4-3 friendly win over the Solomon Islands on Saturday (8 June) clearly showed that they need plenty of improvement before they can challenge for honours.
Settled-down Amirul Adli's on the way up, Latest Singapore
Football: Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours
The future of West London outfit Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is yet to be settled with report that the Blues management are yet to come up with a final stand. It is also reported that the Italian boss has told the club hierarchy that he desires to leave the club for another challenge elsewhere.
Chelsea transfer news Maurizio Sarri told to replace THIS
Guardiola Stays Cool Despite Shock Man City Defeat League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on December 22, 2018
Pep Guardiola Stays Cool Despite Shock Man City Defeat
Football: FAS employee sacked over breach of financial protocols While there was no material loss suffered by the Football Association of Singapore, it terminated the employee's contract after
Financial Advisor IQ - After Huge Data Breaches, Republicans
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester United produced their least impressive performance under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Norwegian offered rare starts to some out-of-favour
Solskjaer maintains perfect start as United beat Reading in
adtest.supersport.com/football/fa-cup/news/190105/Solskjaer_maintains_perfect_start_as_United_beat_Reading_in_Cup
It was a subdued performance by the 12-times FA Cup winners at Old Trafford, where Reading impressed, but maintained former United striker Solskjaer's dream start to life in the hot seat vacated last month by Jose Mourinho who was sacked. Solskjaer becomes the first United manager to begin his reign with five straight wins since Matt Busby.
Manchester United : Solskjaer maintains perfect start as
Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist
All eyes on France star in key clash BARCELONA • Antoine Griezmann had been set to move to Barcelona last summer in one of football's biggest transfers of all time. The seemingly nailed-on deal, however, failed to materialise after Atletico Madrid managed to convince the France forward that they were making progress, leading him to sign a new
All eyes on France coach Blanc ahead of key Romania clash
Defender Jan Vertonghen (L) celebrates with teammate Son Heung-Min (R) after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in London on February 13, 2019.
Champions League: Son Shines As Tottenham Beat Dortmund 3-0
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