Sheffield United 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a hard-fought victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The Sheffield United vs Liverpool betting odds were always going to predict a comfortable away win, with the runaway league leaders going up against the new boys.
But it was anything but, and the league leaders only won thanks to a horrific error by unlucky Blades keeper Dean Henderson.
That makes it a record 16 Premier League wins on the bounce for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, and a first home defeat of the season for Chris Wilder’s Blades.
Highlights of the game
Wilder has had his team playing with pragmatism and creativity in equal measures, encouraging his central defenders to bomb forward, and the early signs in this game bore that out.
The Blades are well organised at the back but carry a threat on the break. Ollie McBurnie had the first chance of the game as he latched on to a long throw before cutting inside and firing a good effort straight at Adrian.
The Blades cut through the Reds defence again when skipper Oliver Norwood slid a beautiful pass through to Callum Robinson, but with plenty of time and space, the striker rushed and shot well wide.
It had certainly been a bright start from the hosts, and Mo Salah had to wait until almost half an hour was up before getting a sight of goal. But after cutting in from the right wing he fired wide.
Then, Sadio Mane had the best chance of the half when he collected a long ball from Virgil Van Dijk. Despite being clean through on goal, the Senegalese hit man fluffed his shot. But another chance came quickly.
How on earth Liverpool weren’t ahead at the break we may never know. After a lightning attack, Salah fed Roberto Firmino, who could have shot himself. But he selflessly passed to Mane, who slammed his shot against the post.
Early in the second half, Blades midfielder John Lundstram had his heart in his mouth when he clattered into Mane in the penalty area, but the referee was unmoved.
As we passed the hour mark, Sheffield United grew in confidence. As the volume in the stadium cranked up, the stadium almost erupted when John Fleck was through and got his shot away, only for Andy Robertson to make a desperate clearance.
Then poor Dean Henderson, who hadn’t had a shot to save, dropped an almighty clanger. After the Blades headed a cross away, Gini Wiljnaldum volleyed tamely back at goal, but the ball squeezed through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the net.
As the red flares went off in the away end, Henderson — on loan from Manchester United — had his head in his hands.
He made a great save from Salah a minute later when the Egyptian was clean through, sticking a leg out to divert his shot over the bar.
And Sheffield United weren’t finished as they came close on 85 minutes when Enda Stevens crossed for Leon Clarke, who fired over with the goal at his mercy. But his blushes were spared as he was inches offside.
Liverpool’s win over Chelsea last week was hard-fought and this was even tougher. But hey, the SBOBET Premier League rarely throws up an easy game.
Key Statistics
This was the first time Liverpool had entered the half-time break without a lead, but they couldn’t really complain as they had no shots on target, while the Blades had one. The Reds had 73 per cent possession and were trying to walk the ball in at times.
When the goal came, it was thanks to a huge slice of luck, and it meant Sheffield United lost at home to Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time.
But Liverpool went eight points clear with Manchester City still to play, and of course still have a 100 per cent record through seven matches.
What’s next?
Chris Wilder and Jurgen Klopp can sit back now and look at the Premier League 2019 updates as they roll in during the weekend.
Next up, Liverpool are at home to RB Salzburg in a Champions League Group E clash on Wednesday. The Austrians got off to a flyer with a 6-2 win over Genk, and Klopp will prepare his defence for the threat of teenage Norwegian Erling Braut Haaland, who scored a stunning hat-trick.
And then there’s a cracking Premier League game on the way at Anfield when former Reds boss Brendon Rodgers brings Leicester City to take on the league leaders.
The Blades have a six-pointer away to Watford and then a home match against Arsenal, and on the evidence of today’s performance, they could get something from both.
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