The Liverpool full-back's defending has often been questioned but the Reds coach is pleased to see the player responding to his demands in that area of the pitch.

Slot told the TNT Sports programme 'Behind The Lines': "When we started to work together, I emphasised also a bit on his defensive work.

"He had to keep producing the numbers in assisting goals, but if we wanted to be a team that concedes less shots, he had to improve a bit in defending.

"And I have shown him that he’s able to do so if he puts enough effort in. Sometimes, like the [Manchester] United game, which was an exception this season, he seems to lack a bit of effort in some moments. But if he’s at the top of his game, he’s a very good defender as well.

"We have spoken a lot to him about consistency. Because he’s been quite long with this club, he sometimes trains or has played games like, ‘Ah, it’s another one from 200 that I’ve already played or all these sessions I’ve already had'.

"This is where we’ve worked on, and I think we can see the progression he has made."

Slot has impressed since replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield last summer but isn't shocked that his side are setting the pace in the Premier League.

The Dutch coach said: "I wasn’t scheduling like first, second or third place. The only thing you want as a manager is to implement playing styles as fast as you can.

"The good thing is that I was selected because playing styles were quite similar between me and Jurgen, so I didn’t have to change a lot.

"We could just build from what’s already been done here for so many years. It is not a complete surprise that we are up there in the league."