Clean sheet streak propelling Liverpool defenders up Dream Team rankings – Virgil van Dijk now third in his position

LIVERPOOL scored a dramatic 99th-minute winner against Nottingham Forest on Saturday to maintain their lead in the Premier League.

That Darwin Nunez (£4.5m) was the Reds’ hero at the City Ground came as a mocking twist of fate in the world of Dream Team as the Uruguayan striker was the most transferred-out player ahead of Gameweek 26.

Outside of the last-gasp goal, the most notable aspect of the game was the visitors’ latest clean sheet.

Jurgen Klopp’s side prevented their opponents from scoring for the third game in succession – a streak that has greatly benefited Caoimhin Kelleher (£2.3m) and his defenders.

The Irish goalkeeper is comfortably the most in-form asset in his position having taken 27 points from his last three outings.

While FIVE Liverpool players are currently among among the top eight most in-form defenders.

Conor Bradley (£3.5m) tops the list having amassed 28 points across his last three outings with Virgil van Dijk (£4.1m) not far behind on 25 points – the Dutchman is up to third in his position overall.

With 21 points from his last three appearances, Joe Gomez (£3.6m) has quietly climbed up to joint-sixth among defenders for the season.

The adaptable 26-year-old has played at centre-back, left-back, right-back and even in defensive midfield en route to 158 points.

He features in just 3.1% of teams and is currently above William Saliba (£3.3m) in the rankings – although possibly only fleetingly with Arsenal due to face Sheffield United this evening.

Gomez has contributed to 11 clean sheets this term – only Saliba, Ben White (£3.5m) and Gabriel (£4m) have registered more.

Ibrahima Konate (£2.9m) and Andy Robertson (£3.6m) are also among the most in-form defenders having pocketed 21 and 20 points respectively during their side’s clean sheet run.

The latter came ever so close to missing out on his share of the clean sheet points against Forest as he was substituted in the 60th minute, fulfilling the necessary requirement by just a few seconds.

Liverpool’s best defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.1m), missed out on the clean sheets against Forest, Southampton and Chelsea through injury but remains second in his position having racked up 179 points via 12 assists.

It will be interesting to see if Klopp continues to give plenty of minutes to the impressive Bradley when Alexander-Arnold is available again.

The fact remains that half of the top six defenders in Dream Team right now are Anfield residents and more clean sheets will only improve the outlook.

Klopp’s side face Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday night before next weekend’s mouthwatering clash against Manchester City.

Needless to say, clean sheets against Pep Guardiola’s troops are exceedingly rare.

But the pattern has seemingly been set for Dream Team bosses.

In terms of block-picking multiple defenders from a single team – Liverpool and Arsenal assets are head and shoulders above the rest.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk