Are Liverpool defending well?

The Reds boast the best defensive record in the Premier League so far this season, but many are worried it won't last.

The aftermath of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth offered up a fascinating insight into the pessimistic nature of some football supporters.

The Reds had just claimed a straightforward victory against dangerous opposition to cap an encouraging start to the campaign by moving top of the Premier League. 

And yet, for many, the main takeaway was that Arne Slot’s side hadn’t actually played that well en route to claiming their latest three points, giving up too many chances for the afternoon to be described as comfortable.

In fact, in the eyes of some, this porousness has been a theme of the season thus far, one which suggests that results will soon take a turn for the worse.

But is that perception a fair one? Or do the early signs suggest Liverpool are solid enough to challenge for major honours?

As ever, a dive into the numbers is instructive.

Of course, the easiest place to start is with the fact that the Reds have conceded just once so far in the Premier League this season, a division-best record that even Arsenal (three conceded) cannot match.

But you have to go a little bit deeper to find out whether that is sustainable and, fortunately, things also look pretty healthy there, too.