"Klopp will have studied the records. He will know – as a rule – teams do not win the league unless they go through the season having, on average, conceded less than one goal a game. Ideally, you want to concede less than 30 goals over 38 games. Liverpool have not managed that since 2009, when finishing second.
"Last season’s winners Manchester City are lauded for their attacking strength. They won 100 points and scored 106 goals. We should remember they conceded only 27 in the Premier League, too, fewer than any other team.
"A brilliant strikeforce will win plenty of games and admirers, but you cannot win the title without a strong defence."