Sheffield United take plaudits in narrow loss at Liverpool

SHEFFIELD UNITED may still be without a win so far in 2020-21, but in many respects, their season got off and running at an unlikely venue in Anfield.
Anfield.Anfield.
Anfield.

After five games without a Premier League victory at the start of the campaign, a trip to the champions on their own turf looked like being the last place that they would choose.

In the event, they produced an excellent performance in which they took the game to Liverpool and could justifiably say that they deserved a point, instead of being edged out 2-1.

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Their opener from the spot from Sander Berge arrived with a huge amount of controversy - the first time United have taken the lead in a league game this term.

But there was no doubting the aplomb of their heartening showing.

Goals from Roberto Firmino, who levelled ahead of the break and Diogo Jota's headed winner on his first start for the club at Anfield on 64 minutes turned the tables as Liverpool went within one game of equalling a club record of 63 league games without defeat on home soil - set during the club's glory days under Bob Paisley in the late 70s and early 80s.

Chris Wilder may not be a fan of moral victories, but he should take plenty from this display from his side as they threatened Liverpool for the whole game.

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The likes of Sander Berge, Ethan Ampadu and Ben Osborn were outstanding alongside the tireless Oli McBurnie. Several others were not too far behind.

These times that we live in are strange and this was a strange old first half which pitted a side desperately scrambling for a catalyst to ignite their season against the champions, still incandescent with rage after a controversial injury sustained by defensive talisman in Virgil van Dijk across Stanley Park seven days earlier.

The early portents suggested it would be a long night for those United players in green, but a madcap and absorbing first-half in which there was disorder in the home defence and pretty of assertion from the visitors, who magnificently belied their lowly status, delivered two goals and a huge talking point.

The controversy when VAR - increasingly the bane of football - rewarded the Blades, who have been on the harsh end of some very questionable moments since the technology's introduction.

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In this case, in a bit of a rarity, fortune favoured them handsomely when Mike Dean pointed to the spot following a decision made by VAR official Andre Marriner following a review of an incident.

Replays showed that Fabinho made contact with the ball in challenging McBurnie right on the edge of the box and on further re-runs, it looked like the tackle was made just outside it.

Berge kept his composure to coolly steer the ball past Alisson, back in goal after a shoulder injury.

What could not be disputed was the fact that Blades rattled a Liverpool defence who looked very susceptible without Van Dijk and who were vulnerable every time that the visitors attacked.

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At the start, Liverpool had scented blood with John Egan making a key clearance to prevent Mo Salah from tapping home after Sadio Mane beat Aaron Ramsdale to the ball and steered an effort towards the unguarded net after United were dissected.

Shortly after, an audacious free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold was tipped over by the scampering Ramsdale before United found their feet and how.

An opener clearly helped in the confidence-building process and appeals for a second penalty were rebuffed when George Baldock's cross hit the arm of Andy Robertson, although there was no movement towards the ball and it was the right decision.

United then spurned two chances to increase their lead after Liverpool were opened up.

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McBurnie fired wide after a lovely pass from Ampadu, handed a chance in midfield, before another player given a cherished opportunity in Osborn went close to crowning it when his blistering volley was parried by Alisson after a fine cross from Baldock.

Liverpool were disjointed and unconvincing, but they got their act together ahead of the break.

An important clearance from Egan denied Salah before the champions levelled when Firmano tucked away a rebound after Ramsdale parried Mane's point-blank header following Jordan Henderson's cross.

United's fire did not fade on the resumption, exemplified when Baldock dragged a shot just wide after more pressure, with Salah then seeing a shot whistle over at the Kop end.

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Substitute Oliver Burke, on for Brewster, was the next to threaten, walking past the unconvincing Fabinho before seeing his shot on the angle blocked by Joe Gomez as United continued to bring plenty to the table.

A reprieve then arrived when VAR ruled out a brilliant piece of skill from Salah, whose control and finish from Alexander-Arnold's right-wing cross was sublime - with he and Mane just offside - but the hosts were soon celebrating a legitimate goal.

Mane's cross picked out Jota, who pulled away from Enda Stevens before planting a header past Ramsdale for a relieving breakthrough for the Reds.

United pushed for an equaliser which would not have flattered them.

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Substitute David McGoldrick, moments after coming on, almost provided with his rasping strike whistling just over, while Salah hit the post at the other end.

The last chance went to Burke, who fired over.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Firmino (Minamino 83), Salah, Mane, Jota (Milner 83). Substitutes unused: Adrian, Jones, Shaqiri, Phillips, N Williams.

Sheffield United: Ramsdale, Baldock, Basham, Egan, Ampadu, Stevens, Berge, Lundstram (McBurnie 76), Osborn, McBurnie, Brewster (Burke 54). Substitutes unused: Verrips, Norwood, Sharp, Robinson, Jagielka.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

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