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Much of the focus this season has been on Liverpool’s attacking brilliance.

Their current tally of 130 goals in all competitions has only been bettered once in the club’s illustrious history. Kenny Dalglish’s double winners netted 138 in 1985/86.

However, less well documented is the new-found defensive resilience which has helped put Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Champions League final and on the brink of securing a top-four Premier League finish.

Yes, there have been some blips along the way, but the general improvement is undeniable.

If Liverpool keep a clean sheet against Brighton at Anfield on Sunday it will be their 17th in the Premier League this season. They haven’t achieved that many shut-outs in a campaign since Rafa Benitez’s final year in charge in 2009/10.

The £75million signing of Virgil van Dijk has undoubtedly brought a greater sense of calm, organisation and leadership to Klopp’s backline with Dejan Lovren benefiting from the presence of the Dutchman alongside him.

Teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold has blossomed at right-back, while Andy Robertson has been a revelation on the other flank since his £10million move from Hull City. Behind them, Loris Karius has enjoyed a revival since being re-installed as the club’s No 1 in January.

Last season Liverpool kept just 12 clean sheets in the Premier League and in 2015/16 they managed 11.

(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Klopp’s team have only conceded 10 league goals at Anfield during the current campaign and that represents their best effort defensively since they leaked just seven under Benitez in 2006/07. Put into context, Liverpool let in 18 league goals at home last season and 22 the year before.

Sunday's final day showdown with Brighton will be the Reds' 500th Premier League game at Anfield and their 1000th in the Premier League era in total.

Liverpool need just a point to guarantee a top-four finish and if they achieve that they will have gone a full league season unbeaten at home for the first time since 2008/09. It would be only the second time they have managed that in the last 30 years.