Parker's defence is almost the best

REDS' RECORD IN SIGHT

- By Chris McKenna

BACK then it was Phil Thompson and Alan Hansen but now it is CJ Egan-Riley and Maxime Esteve.

The Liverpool pair may have European Cups and league titles but they are about to lose a proud boast the best defensive record in English league football.

Burnley are pushing for promotion and it is built on the foundations of a solid defence and not one built on sand - as head coach Scott Parker put it.

In 1978-79, Liverpool conceded just 16 in the league across 42 games for a record of 0.38 goals per match.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea came close in 2004-05 at 0.39 goals against per game after conceding 15 in a 38-match season.

But after 39 games in this Championship campaign, the Clarets have conceded just 11 goals at 0.28 per game.