Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a mature performance against Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Newcastle are a match for any opponent on their day, but having got an early goal, the Reds neutralised their threat.
In fairness, Liverpool were helped by the absence of injured top-scorer Alexander Isak.
Isak is expected back for the Carabao Cup final and the Reds will likely have a more difficult test against the Swede.
But with Callum Wilson misfiring in his place, it was a relatively straightforward night for Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.
And after watching Liverpool’s centre-back duo stroll through the game, pundit Robbie Mustoe couldn’t quite believe what he had seen.
Liverpool told centre-back pair ‘do nothing’
Liverpool’s attack has been at the forefront of praise sent their way throughout most of the season.
Mohamed Salah is having a special campaign while the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz have contributed as well.
But while Liverpool’s attack is brilliant, their defence is equally as important. Led by the impeccable Van Dijk, the Reds have conceded just 26 goals in 28 Premier League games.
According to former Middlesbrough midfielder Mustoe, though, Van Dijk and Konate are so well protected by those in front of them that they barely have a job to do.
“I looked at Van Dijk and Konate in the last sort of 10 minutes of the game, they do nothing!” the pundit told NBC Sports.
“They don’t have to do anything. It’s all happening in front of them, they’re so hard to get through from the front line, to get through the midfield that they actually might do something.
“And Newcastle are a good side, they’re a good team and they gave plenty in that game today, but just the power and the dynamism of this Liverpool team is stunning.”
Liverpool built on solid foundations
Having conceded five goals in three games against Everton, Wolves and Aston Villa, some were starting to question Liverpool’s defensive suitability’s recently.
| Accurate Passes | Tackles Won | Clearances | Duels Won | Interceptions | |
| Virgil van Dijk | 102/107 | 0/1 | 6 | 4/5 | 0 |
| Ibrahima Konate | 66/72 | 0/1 | 2 | 4/6 | 0 |
However, back-to-back clean sheets against Man City and Newcastle have answered those critics emphatically.
Liverpool do not have the best defence in the Premier League, that is one honour that lies with Arsenal.
But the Reds have conceded only three more than the Gunners in one more match, while also scoring 15 more goals.
Van Dijk is the division’s outstanding defender, but with such a well functioning midfield in front of him, he does not always need to show it.