The sleeping giant that was Liverpool seems to be slowly waking from its slumber under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp.The five-time-European champions are once again dining at the top table of European football and challenging for a spot in the top four yet again.In fact, Klopp’s Reds are the Champions League’s leading scorers as the round of 16 second legs get underway, netting 28 times.Astonishingly, James Milner sits atop the list of European assist kings too, registering seven assists throughout the tournament, leaving names like Kevin De Bruyne and Lionel Messi in his dust.The devastating front trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been an absolute joy to watch, so fluid on the counter and absolutely deadly when given a sniff of goal.Just ask FC Porto how much of a nightmare it can be when this Liverpool team clicks.The Portuguese side were absolutely blown away by a scintillating Liverpool performance in their first leg match at home, effectively ending the tie as a contest as Liverpool put one foot in the quarter-finals.However, if there is one aspect of the Liverpool game that has been criticised on countless occasions this season, it is their defense.Sevilla exposed the Reds porousness at the back when they recovered from 3-0 down to snatch a draw while the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and West Brom have all benefitted from Liverpool’s defensive failings.Strangely though, according to some stats that have been doing the rounds on social media courtesy of BetStars, it is a Liverpool defender that tops the rankings for best defenders in club football’s showpiece event this season.Using four metrics (individual contribution, team performance, home advantage,strength of opposition) BetStars compiled data to come up with the power rankings for all players in the Champions League this season.Trent Alexander-Arnold of all people. Crazy.At just 19, the right-back has been absolutely brilliant for the Merseysiders this season, stepping into the breach in the absence of Nathaniel Clyne.A born and bred Liverpudlian, Alexander-Arnold has been the stand out performer in a Liverpool defense that is so often berated for letting the forwards down.The Liverpool academy graduate has already bagged a goal and an assist in this campaign and is quickly becoming a fan favourite on the Anfield terraces.

Incredibly, the 19-year-old finds himself looking down on a rather illustrious chasing pack that includes the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique, and David de Gea.

There is no doubting the young Englishman has a future laden with approving Jurgen Klopp bear hugs ahead of him.

Meanwhile, Liverpool faces one of the biggest weeks of their season as they look to finish off Porto, before heading down the M62 for a monumental clash with Manchester United.