Liverpool ground out a win at Sheffield United, in a game that turned out to be quite tricky for them. A plucky Sheffield United side made life difficult for them at Bramall Lane, and could have got themselves a point at home, but for a error by their keeper on-loan keeper Dean Henderson.
Liverpool had to show grit and determination to survive here, and their centre backs Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk stood firm, in and around the fortunate winner by Georginio Wijnaldum in the 70th minute. Wijnaldum cleanly met a volley from just only the 16 yard box; it looked a straightforward save to make, but as he crouched down to gather the ball, it went through his grasp and trickled over the line, for what turned out to be the winner. Many would have thought the Blades would have been shellshocked, but they answered back in a very professional manner, and if it were not for a late miss by substitute Leon Clarke, they may have got themselves a hard earned share of the spoils.
Despite, all of the good effort by Sheffield United, this game on another day could have been over by half time, Sadio Mane, was guilty of two big misses. His first chance was in the 33rd minute, when van Dijk played a lovely ball over the top, but Mane could only fire wide as he miscued his volley. An even worse miss was to follow, as Liverpool pounced on John Fleck giving the ball away in midfield. Once, Liverpool got into the box, Roberto Firmino could have shot himself, but played in Mane, who could only hit the post, when it seemed easier to score. Beforehand, United had a few sights of goal themselves. Oliver McBurnie and Callum Robinson both went close, the latter completely mistiming his header from Enda Stevens' cross.
Matip and van Dijk, continued to dominate aerially for the most part, but as Sheffield United grew more confident before Wijnaldum's goal, van Dijk had to make a couple of crucial interceptions, otherwise Liverpool would have fallen behind. 8 minutes into the second half; Adrian flapped at a cross, that McBurnie could only header over. Liverpool, then should have had a penalty as Mane was clipped, there was no appeal however, though the replay showed that there was contact. Liverpool brought on Divock Origi for Jordan Henderson, and this change helped give the front three more space, as Origi immediately won the ball back and fed Mo Salah. United, almost took the lead in the 67th minute, but Andy Robertson produced a superb block on John Fleck, from the rebound, van Dijk, who had his best game of the season thus far, blocked John Lundstram.
Wijnaldum's winner will feel like a big kick in the teeth for Chris Wilder's men, but no one can fault their effort. So Liverpool ground it out, this used to be something that was looked at positively, but now it is perceived differently it seems. Winner when not at your best is trait that is held by teams that go on to win titles, and the Reds did that here, but they have chances to make the scoreline look much better. Added to those first half misses by Mane, Salah could not convert a chance he created himself in the 77th minute when he shot straight at Henderson. Liverpool, now have won 7 games in a row to start the Premier League season, and have 16 consecutive wins going back to the last campaign.
@DubulDee
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