5 tightest defenses in Europe this season

#2 Liverpool - 15 goals conceded (26 matches)

Van Dijk has been a rock for Liverpool in defense

If anyone had told you a season ago that Liverpool would feature on a list of best defenses, you would probably have taken this suggestion with a pinch of salt (along with a bout of laughter).

Long vaunted for the exhilarating attack, Liverpool's feeble defense always proved to be their undoing, as for all of their brilliance upfront, they were always let down by moments of madness at the back, with defensive lapses and goalkeeping gaffes, which have cost them titles in the past, with the most high profile one being Karius' comical errors in the UCL final in 2018.

Jurgen Klopp realized that The Reds could never hope to achieve anything of note with such a shaky defense, and he sanctioned the world record purchases of both Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alison Becker from Southampton and AS Roma respectively.

The transformation has been remarkable, with Liverpool transformed from defensive shambles into one of the most stable backlines in all of Europe.

Earlier in the season, they went 10 games without conceding a goal at Anfield, and they have let in just 15 goals in 26 matches so far as they continue their quest for a first ever EPL title.