Martin Skrtel has taken heart from Liverpool's solid defensive displays recently, and called for more of the same ahead of Tuesday's Barclays Premier League match with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers' side struggled defensively earlier in the campaign, keeping five clean sheets in their opening 20 matches. But a run of four consecutive matches without conceding a goal points to a greater stability at the back, while an eight-match unbeaten run has lifted them to seventh in the table.
Saturday's goalless draw at Everton provided further evidence of Liverpool's solidity and Skrtel is encouraged by the team's performances in recent weeks.
"We have changed the system to a back three and it is working for us," Skrtel told liverpoolfc.com. "We are defending much better. It suits us. I hope we can carry on this way in the future.
"I'm happy for the team, because we have improved our defending. There was a lot of criticism. Since New Year, we have only conceded one goal from open play - that's great and I'm happy about that."
Skrtel sees Tuesday's match as key to Liverpool's hopes of returning to the top four.
"It [the Spurs game] is massive," Skrtel said. "Tottenham are a few [four] points in front of us. It's going to be a big game, now we have a few days to get ready for it.
"I believe and hope we can beat them and get three points. But every single game is important for us. We'll go game by game, try to get as many points as we can and try to finish in the top four."
Pochettino spurred on by derby success
On Tuesday Skrtel will come up against Spurs’ Harry Kane, the in-form striker who scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal at White Hart Lane, taking his tally to 22 in all competitions this season.
That victory means Spurs come into the match at Anfield one place outside the UEFA Champions League spots, with just one defeat in their past 10 league outings, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to carry that momentum forward.
"Our performance was great because in front of us was a tough team like Arsenal," he said. "It's always a special game.
"We showed a special energy and it's important to keep this feeling. We have to keep going, look forward and move onto the next game now."
Rodgers has confirmed that Lucas Leiva, who had to come off at Goodison Park with a thigh problem, will miss the match and is out for a "little bit of time". Adam Lallana is set to return after a groin injury while Daniel Sturridge could be in line for his first start since August as he steps up his recovery from thigh and calf problems. It remains to be seen whether 19-year-old Jordon Ibe will feature after impressing against Everton.
Pochettino has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Liverpool (from): Mignolet, Ward, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Lovren, Manquillo, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Allen, Can, Coutinho, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lucas, Markovic, Balotelli, Borini, Ibe, Lambert, Sterling, Sturridge.
Tottenham Hotspur (from): Friedel, Lloris, Vorm, Chiriches, Davies, Dier, Fazio, Kaboul, Rose, Vertonghen, Walker, Yedlin, Bentaleb, Capoue, Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Mason, Paulinho, Stambouli, Townsend, Adebayor, Kane, Soldado.
source: http://www.premierleague.com/
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