Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Liverpool news: Stats reveal Jurgen Klopp’s best centre-back partnership
JURGEN KLOPP experimented with a brand new Liverpool centre-back pairing at Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, as Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez formed the latest partnership at the heart of the Reds’ defence.
Should Jurgen Klopp sign a new centre-back in January?
But things didn’t go to plan as Liverpool lost 2-0 leaving Klopp feeling “sick” by the goals his side conceded.
And now, thanks to research by the Liverpool Echo, the club’s most successful central defensive partnership can be revealed.
Estonian Klavan, and Cameroon International Matip both joined for the start of the 2016/17 season, so figures are taken from matches in the Premier League since then, and only when a pair have started the game together - substitute appearances do not apply.
Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan
Games Played: 9
Games won: 5
Games drawn 2
Games lost 2
Goals conceded: 12
Win percentage: 55.5%
The centre-back from the Baltic and his Croatian partner first played together on the opening day of last season - and shipped three goals at Arsenal. But the Reds won the game 4-3.
They lost their next outing together at Burnley and their last appearance was the horror show at home to Swansea in January, which the Reds lost 3-2.
But in between those outings the duo enjoyed an excellent run of four wins and two draws, included victories at Goodison Park and a victory over Manchester City.
Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan have a won 55.5% of their games together
Given: Liverpool needed a plan B after failing to sign Van Dijk
Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan
Games Played: 8
Games Won: 4
Games Drawn: 3
Games Lost: 1
Goals conceded 12
Win percentage: 50%
Matip and Klavan is the pairing which has the lowest win percentage, exactly half of the games together won, but the best unbeaten record - just a solitary match lost when they have played together.
That was, however the 5-0 demolition at Manchester City.
Joel Matip has often been Klopp's first choice
Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren
Games Played: 20
Games Won: 12
Games Drawn: 7
Games Lost : 1
Goals Conceded: 16
Win Percentage: 60%
Matip and Lovren is undoubtedly Klopp’s preferred central defensive pairing - and undoubtedly Liverpool’s most effective.
The duo have been together 20 times, won 12 and lost just one.
It remains to be seen as to whether or not Klopp will bolster the defence in January, but from this reading; many might be surprised at how good Matip and Lovren’s record actually is.
Although it may not seem that impressive when watching, the stats don’t lie - one defeat in 20 games is pretty good going.
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?