We all agree it is bad, don’t we? Beyond awful. Look at the statistics. Sixteen goals conceded in 10 Premier League games. Indefensible. Literally.

So why are so few visitors to Anfield prepared to attack it? Maribor are the latest to come to Merseyside and consider crossing the halfway line an occupational hazard. Their ambition – or lack of it – was obvious from minute one. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius’ inclusion seemed an unnecessary luxury.

Maybe the figures are skewed and muddling perceptions.

Of those 16 goals conceded, 12 came in three fixtures at Watford, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. A spin doctor can argue four goals conceded in seven matches is not so appalling.

Look even closer and only one domestic goal has been conceded at Anfield since the start of the season. Going back to last season, Liverpool have conceded only once in seven home domestic games. All with Virgil van Dijk still at Southampton.

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There is a parallel universe where Jürgen Klopp is fending off questions about his back-line looking so impregnable whenever You’ll Never Walk Alone is played, the opponent will not dare attack them.

So many Liverpool home games are like this - so repetitive they should be screened by UK Gold.

Defensively, Liverpool have rarely had the chance to demonstrate flaws on their own turf.

So why does the reputation for fragility continue?

Because going back to the Brendan Rodgers era Liverpool have not shrugged off their propensity to undermine improving statistics. Those suggesting Liverpool's defence is consistently awful are palpably wrong. The problem is they are occasionally horrific, and nightmares linger.

Ragnar Klavan played at centre-half and was rarely tested by Dino Hotic credit: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Amid those more solid league games, there was the night of the Champions League qualifier against Hoffenheim when Liverpool took a mid-game nap having taken control.

And also against Sevilla earlier in the group when, despite creating enough to be out of sight at half-time, they drew 2-2. But for such carelessness, they would have been in position to secure their progression into the last 16 with this win over the Slovenians.

There is the fact that most teams wait for mistakes, whereas on the road a more proactive approach from hosts exposes how fragile Liverpool’s defenders are, and how little midfield protection there often is.

There are regular examples of failing to deal adequately with set-pieces, not all leading to goals, but certainly enough blind panic to change the mood in the stadium from content to chaotic.

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There is also the personal distrust; Karius’s shot to save ratio does not impress and Simon Mignolet’s reliability for much of last season has disappeared.

The reputation of Liverpool’s centre-halfs has sunk so low, if anyone dares point out Seville, Hoffenheim and Burnley are the only visitors on Merseyside to celebrate a goal since last April they will be met with howls of derision.

So the questions persist; the reputation sticks and every error provokes an anxious scream for Fenway Sports Group to get Van Dijk in January.

Liverpool’s defence is clearly not good enough. Often it is dreadful in away games. But overall it is not as incompetent as many would believe.

In the last 15 Premier League games only Manchester United have kept more clean sheets. They have now conceded one goal in their last 360 minutes in all competitions at Anfield.

That is a sign of a fairly decent Liverpool defence. Best whisper it, though. No one will ever believe it.

The verdict

After Maribor's 7-0 drubbing in Slovenia we anticipated a negative response. The first half was so dull at times it had more in common with an England World Cup qualifier. The minnows sank deep, let Liverpool’s midfield have the ball and challenged them to be creative. Liverpool’s midfield is currently full of runners rather than playmakers, but they knew patience would be rewarded and so it proved.

Moment which changed the match

An obvious choice, but Mo Salah’s opening goal on 48 minutes changed everything. Maribor had to show more adventure, and the gaps started to appear. Liverpool should have been three up before the hour. When Maribor did finally throw men forward, the home side looked more vulnerable. But the game was effectively over once Salah scored.

Most influential player

James Milner. Salah already has 10 goals for his new club and is the talisman in the absence of Sadio Mané, but Milner set the higher tempo at the start of the second time.

Jame Milner was at the heart of Liverpool's best moves credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

His penalty miss was the only blemish. He made amends teeing up Emre Can for the second.

Crowd rating

6 - The legend of Anfield’s European nights was never going to be carried into this fixture. Should Klopp’s side reach the last 16 it will feel like a different place.

Referee rating

6- Ivan Kruzliak was generous when several cynical challenges went unpunished. Maribor were here to play down the clock.