Liverpool 1, 0 Chelsea: A Throwback to the Liverpool Defensive Fortress

Much has been made of Liverpool's resounding victory over Chelsea last weekend. Headlines have been dominated by Liverpool's resurgence under his majesty King Kenny Dalglish, as well as the forgettable debut by public enemy number one in Fernando Torres. Tactically speaking, it was a clear triumph for the side in red as a returning Jaime Carragher enabled our three man central defense to snuff out the threat of Didier Drogba and Torres. Lucas Leiva efficiently went about his work, nullifying Nicolas Anelka in his role as Chelsea's trequartista, and Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson effectively eliminated any of Chelsea's attempts to bring some width to their attacks.

But there's a reason why I enjoyed this game above and beyond a victory over hated rivals. On the "Road to Istanbul", Liverpool's memorable 2004-05 Champions League campaign, Rafa Benitez's Liverpool slipped past Chelsea in the semifinal thanks to that ghost goal from Luis Garcia. It ended up being the only goal scored in either of the games of that tie, as it was Liverpool's resolute defense that saw them through to the final. The indomitable central defensive partnership of Carragher next to Sami Hyypia was a bedrock of Benitez's early success, alongside the shielding protection of Javier Mascherano. Last Sunday we saw a glimpse of that defensive stability, something that has long been missed.

Liverpool has won their last four Premier League matches, but even more important than those valuable 12 points is the fact that they have conceded zero goals in this time. Benitez was often frustrating because, at times, he just seemed too damn conservative, but it was the defensive solidity of his 4-2-3-1 that made the Reds so hard to beat. This eventually led to his exit as that Liverpool side simply couldn't score enough goals to take advantage of their defensive prowess.

In our past run of games we have yet to be scored on, and whether that is down to the quality of the opponent's forwards (Chelsea match aside) or Dalglish's surprising use of a three man central defense remains to be seen. I do think, however, that his Liverpool side has the means to eclipse what we achieved under Benitez.

While we will never again have the attacking power of Xabi Alonso feeding that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres duo that lit up the 2008-09 season, this team will have so many more options at its disposal. Taking the last five games in isolation, £11.5 seems an absolute bargain for Raul Meireles, who looks like a box-to-box midfielder superior to the likes of Michael Essien, Darren Fletcher, Yaya Touré or Jack Wilshere.

His mobility and interchange with Gerrard leaves opposition defenses standing on their heads wondering where the attack will come from next. Adding the movement and craftiness of Luis Suárez behind the battering ram that is Andy Carroll... How can Liverpool fans not be optimistic?

Former England goalkeeper David James recently voiced his disagreement over how much money teams seem to pay for forwards when it is really defenders who make the difference. I agree completely, although it is clear that goals are worth their weight in gold. Arsenal's invincibility in 2003-04 relied on Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré, shielded by Gilbero and Viera. Chelsea under Mourinho fielded John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, with the privilege of Claude Makélélé in front of them and Manchester United now call upon the excellent Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand, when he's not on the treatment table. I believe that Carragher, along with the skillful Daniel Agger and ever improving Martin Škrtel can emulate this.

Liverpool's players seem invigorated again, and although Dalglish receives the plaudits it is obvious that the appointment of Steve Clarke as head coach has reaped immense rewards. Having worked under Mourinho at Chelsea, Clarke has filled any tactical void existing due to Dalglish's 20 years out of the game and is the reason this team is so solid. Benitez's much maligned zonal marking system has been thoroughly eradicated and Liverpool has seemed more comfortable dealing with high balls into the box, something unknown during the last days of Benitez and under Roy Hodgson.

In years past Anfield Stadium has been an imposing, intimidating fortress of might where opponent's attacking instincts wither and die thanks to an unyielding back line. Lately, this hasn't been so but I feel that the signs are positive. It could be sooner than you think that once again the glittering attacking jewels of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Inter Milan break like waves on a citadel of defiance.