Since a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on October 22 last year, Liverpool have gone from appearing susceptible at the back to boasting the best defensive record in the league, conceding the fewest goals and shots on target in their last 31 games. Telegraph Sport looks at what has changed.

A new goalkeeper and back four

The most obvious change between Liverpool a year ago and the side looking so much more reliable and robust against Crystal Palace is they had different players. When you spend £75 million on a centre-back and £65 million on a goalkeeper you expect it to be better. So far, it is.

Consider the back five (including goalkeeper) against Spurs when they suffered the heavy defeat preceding their current impressive run. Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez started that afternoon at Wembley. Lovren has been part of the vast improvement, but only Gomez played against Spurs last October and at Selhurst Park on Monday night, and now he is a centre-back rather than right back.