Clyne's verdict on the role of the modern full-back
The demands on full-backs at the highest level have meant the likes of Nathaniel Clyne becoming 'almost wingers' for their team, according to the Liverpool No.2.
At his former club Southampton on Saturday, the England international might have broken the deadlock with a late header that instead flew wide, after he ghosted in at the back post to meet a Daniel Sturridge cross.
What was again evident throughout the 0-0 draw at St Mary's was the freedom afforded to both Clyne and James Milner, on the opposite flank, to get as far forward as possible and support attacks.
"A left-back now is different to a left-back 10 years ago," said Milner recently. "And a left-back for Jürgen Klopp is going to be playing a lot different to a left-back for another manager."
Clyne completely agrees.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: [Klopp is] more demanding of me to get forward and help out in attack.
"He likes his full-backs to join in with play whenever they can, and also be solid defensively, so it helps my game.
"[The role] has changed. When I first started the game, it was more about defending – coming up against your winger and trying to stop him, and being close to your centre-back. Nowadays, it has changed, it is more demanding for a full-back.
"They want you to get up and down the line very quickly and also help out in attack, almost becoming wingers really. Nowadays, wingers are coming inside and want to play more inside. It gives license to the full-back to have the whole line."
While Liverpool were frustrated at one end on the south coast last weekend, at the other they were relatively untroubled by a side accustomed to creating plenty of chances on home soil.
In fact, Southampton were prevented from registering a single shot on target by Klopp's charges.
The quartet of Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Milner have taken plaudits for their collective efforts at the back, but the man on the right feels credit should be shared by the whole team.
"We have been solid of late and not giving the opponents any chances to get a shot at goal and keeping it strong at the back," he said.
"Also, credit to the forward players who are pressing really hard at the very top end of the pitch, which stops them creating any chances. Our total dominance of the football match is helping us defensively in the games."
LFCTV GO: Clyne on the demands of playing full-back
And perhaps the attacking talents of those forward players are making a difference in training too, sharpening Clyne's defensive instincts as he tries to stop them himself in sessions at Melwood?
"It's very difficult when you're coming up against them in training," admitted the 25-year-old.
"There is so much movement in our attacking players. Everyone is confident on the ball, everyone is very tricky – and it's very difficult. You can see their quality in training and that quality pays off on a matchday.
"Seeing it from where I am at the back and when I'm helping them in attack, it's good to watch and hopefully it continues."