Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jurgen Klopp delivered some home truths.

The Liverpool manager had called his players together at Melwood for an inquest into events at Wembley 24 hours earlier.

The Reds' defensive issues had plumbed new depths with a crushing 4-1 defeat to Tottenham last October.

Liverpool had conceded 16 goals in their opening nine top-flight matches – their worst record since 1964/65. They sat ninth in the Premier League table with talk of a title challenge silenced before the clocks had even gone back.

The video analysis didn't make for pleasant viewing as the Reds relived a shambolic display. Each of Spurs’ goals was examined in detail.

Dejan Lovren and Simon Mignolet bore the brunt of the fans’ criticism in the aftermath of that contest in the capital, but Klopp was more angry with how Liverpool defended as a unit.

He felt it wasn’t just down to individual errors but a lack of cover, awareness, concentration and organisation. It was schoolboy stuff.

For the first goal Lovren had been caught flat-footed by Kieran Trippier's lofted pass, Mignolet raced off his line to meet Harry Kane but didn't get there and the England striker accepted the gift.

Klopp highlighted that the Reds' problems had all started from being collectively slow to react to a throw-in from Trippier.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The second one was all Lovren, who charged at Hugo Lloris' long throw, missed it close to halfway and Kane was allowed to run on and cross for Son Heung-Min to convert.

The third and fourth goals both exposed an inability to deal with set-pieces as Dele Alli volleyed home from Matip's poorly directed header and Kane pounced after Mignolet had flapped at a free-kick and Liverpool had failed to clear their lines.

The exchange at Melwood that Monday was frank. There was an acceptance by everyone present that a line had to be drawn in the sand.

Matip later revealed: “The manager didn't hold back, he said it directly. We knew we had a lot of problems. He said it was not good enough – he spoke very honestly about the things that had to change. We had to work to defend better.”

Eleven months on, as Liverpool prepare to return to Wembley to face Tottenham again on Saturday, Klopp's backline is unrecognisable both in terms of personnel and performances.

That humiliating defeat under the giant arch proved to be the turning point the manager had demanded as the Reds embarked on an 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions which helped propel them to a top-four Premier League finish and on an unforgettable Champions League journey to Kiev.

There were some blips along the way, not least throwing away a 3-0 lead against Sevilla, but progress was steadily achieved. Klopp successfully added defensive steel to attacking firepower.

Breaking the bank to bring in bona fide quality undoubtedly helped but Klopp has also showcased his coaching and tactical acumen by developing the talent he already had at his disposal.

Liverpool's defence at Wembley last October consisted of Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno at full-back with Lovren and Matip in the centre.

Once Lovren was hauled off after half an hour, Gomez was shifted into the middle with Emre Can moved to right-back.

The only member of that backline who is likely to feature at Wembley on Saturday is Gomez, who has gone up a level after enjoying the luxury of a full pre-season to build up his fitness and being given a run of games in his favoured role.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Undoubtedly the biggest change to Liverpool's rearguard has been provided by the £75million signing of Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk's name featured heavily in the aftermath of that nightmare display against Spurs last October. Klopp was criticised for not pursuing a Plan B after a summer move for the Dutchman fell through amid tapping-up allegations.

Fans were fuming that Liverpool's Achilles heel hadn't been addressed and owners Fenway Sports Group stood accused of not giving the manager sufficient financial support.

“I am 100% responsible for all this,” Klopp countered at the time.

“I cannot blame the owners. We have to do things better. It is not that I don’t know how it should work.

“People maybe think that happens in football, that one day you lose half a brain or whatever, but that is not how it is. We have to create a mood and atmosphere where the players can deliver what is needed.”

Klopp had taken a calculated gamble in waiting for Van Dijk rather than pursuing an alternative and when the winter window opened he finally got his man. Van Dijk, the most expensive defender in world football, proved to be worth the wait.

He's the leader and the vocal presence the Reds' backline had been crying out for since Jamie Carragher hung up his boots in 2013. His calmness and composure quickly rubbed off on those around him – epitomised by the transformation in Lovren in the closing months of 2017/18.

Liverpool haven't conceded a league goal at Anfield since February and Van Dijk has been key to that. His partnership with Gomez is blossoming in the continued absence of the injured Lovren.

Identifying top targets and doing whatever it takes to get them also paid off with Liverpool's £65million pursuit of Alisson Becker. Liverpool's new No 1 kept three successive clean sheets before his recent blunder at Leicester.

With some big saves under his belt, Alisson remains well in credit and the upgrade is considerable. He's a commanding presence.

(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

There's much more to the Reds' improvement at the back than simply getting the cheque book out.

Andy Robertson didn't even make the bench the last time Liverpool travelled to Wembley as he adjusted to life with the Reds after enduring relegation with Hull City. Now he's one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Klopp has got the best out of the Scotland international who has made the left-back spot his own. He's been a model of consistency – rock-solid defensively and a real threat when given a licence to attack.

It's a similar story on the other flank. Trent Alexander-Arnold watched that Wembley debacle from the bench. Since then the teenager has graced the Champions League final and the World Cup in Russia. His rise has been meteoric.

Liverpool's style as a team has also evolved. Now when they attack there is a more measured approach. Fewer risks are taken, fewer gaps left behind for opponents to exploit.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

A settled selection has certainly helped with Klopp's back five unchanged so far this season. Where once Liverpool would have panicked after Allison's error against the Foxes, they kept their cool and victory was never seriously in doubt.

The Reds have yet to find their fluency going forward this term but they no longer need to score three or four to win a game. Klopp has instilled a new-found ability to grind out results.

Defensive resilience has enabled them to collect 12 points out of a possible 12. Harry Kane and Dele Alli will certainly put that to the test on Saturday.

Tottenham should discover that Liverpool are a different proposition these days. It all started with that lively Melwood inquest.