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It was those at the top end of the pitch who grabbed the headlines at Anfield on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling,Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho were the names on everybody’s lips as Liverpool stepped up their bid for a top-four finish with a win over West Ham United.

But while the Reds’ attack flourishes, behind it a lot of good work is going almost unnoticed. Criticised relentlessly during the early months of the season, Liverpool’s defence is suddenly looking like a solid one.

Their clean sheet against the Hammers was their third in a row in the league, and their eighth of the season. Only Southampton and Chelsea have managed more.

The improvements have been plain to see. Simon Mignolet looks an altogether more commanding presence, Martin Skrtel is in good form and Emre Can has provided physicality and quality on the ball since being moved to right centre back.

On Saturday, though, it was the performance of Mamadou Sakho which caught the eye.

Within an hour of the final whistle, Sturridge had uploaded a picture to his Instagram account declaring that Frenchman was his man of the match, and the statistics support that view.

In a game which was always going to test Liverpool’s strength, aerial prowess and physical capabilities, Sakho delivered.

He only needed to make one tackle, but he won it. He also won 75% of his aerial duels, getting above Carlton Cole three times, Andy Carroll twice and Kevin Nolan once - though tellingly the two that he lost were inside his own penalty area from corners.

He made more clearances (16) than any other player on the pitch, including five from inside his own penalty area, and blocked one cross. His ability to defend, one on one, in wide areas is a key reason why the 24-year-old has emerged as a key player in recent weeks.

Liverpool's average positions v West Ham

There are those who still doubt his abilities, citing an apparent clumsiness in possession. The statistics, though, do little to back that up.

On Saturday, only Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva, the two ‘controllers’ in Rodgers’ side, had more touches than Sakho, who had 78. His passing accuracy (86.2%) was bettered only by Sterling (90.9%), Adam Lallana (93.5%) and Martin Skrtel (91.3%). Only seven of his 58 passes were classed as “long balls”, and he even threw in two successful ‘take-ons’ for good measure. His solidity allows Alberto Moreno, the left wing-back, to spend more time in the opponents’ half than he does defending.

All of a sudden, Liverpool look a more solid, organised unit. The presence of Lucas and Henderson as a midfield two is providing good protection for the back threee– the pair won 10 of the 13 tackles they contested between them against West Ham – and Mignolet’s increased confidence behind them is an added bonus.

It says plenty about the improvements made as a whole that Dejan Lovren, the most expensive defender in the club’s history, looks unlikely to return to the side any time soon. Liverpool have tightened up defensively, and Sakho has been key to that improvement.

SAKHO STATS V WEST HAM

Touches: 78

Pass accuracy: 86.2%

Tackle success: 100%

Aerial success: 75%

Blocks: 1

Clearances: 16

Take ons: 2

Fouls: 0

WATCH: ECHO sports editor John Thompson on "immense" Mamadou Sakho