Clyne feels the draw against Manchester United showed Liverpool can be solid, and has been impressed by a summer defensive signing.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action with Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne
Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne has told the club’s official website that the 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Monday night was a sign of the side’s defence improving.
The Reds kept their first clean sheet in the Premier League this season as a result in a game when chances were few and far between, and it’s something that everyone associated with the club will hope continues.
Clyne told the official Liverpool website: “We’ve settled really well at the back and we’re trying our best to keep up good performances like United, when we were more solid and didn’t give them many chances. If you can get a clean sheet, it gives you a chance of winning the game.”
Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne in action with Manchester United’s Daley Blind
The right-back, who has been impressive since his arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2015, said that the new signings at the back in Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan had settled in well, while everyone was contributing when they were called upon.
Matip has been the player that has stood out from the defenders since his arrival, and seems to have impressed Clyne too, who added: “He’s settled in like he’s been playing for Liverpool for a really long time. He’s built a good partnership and has done really well defensively.
“He’s confident on the ball, you see him driving forward from defence and helping to set up attacks. He’s good and I like playing with him.
“He is not fazed by anything. He is putting in good performances and long may they continue.”
Liverpool’s Joel Matip in action
Matip certainly seems to be impressing many people, and the partnership with Dejan Lovren looks potentially as solid a partnership as the Reds have had at the heart of the defence for several years.
His presence at the back along with his calmness on the ball are both huge plus points that Liverpool seem to be benefiting from.
Set-pieces are still something of a problem for the defensive unit as a whole but their defending in open play doesn’t seem to have a lot wrong with it. They will be hoping to build on their recent clean sheet, and hope it’s the start of a really solid run for the back line.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip in action with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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