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Sadio Mane had the best chances of the first-half at Bramall Lane, but couldn’t make either count for Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s men struggled to break down the well-organized Blades in the first period, but still had the two best opportunities of the game.
However, both were spurned by their No. 10.
First a long ball from Virgil van Dijk put him clear, only for Mane to slice badly wide. Then a quick counter saw him teed up by Firmino, only to clatter his effort off the post.
Chris Wilder’s men have asked questions of the Reds defense and are proving a match so far.
And right now, they look worthy of a point. Can they continue in the second period?
Follow all the action, as it happens, right here …
Sheffield United XI: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Robinson, McBurnie.
Liverpool XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Match ReportKEY EVENT
Sheffield United 0-1 Liverpool: 5 talking points
A howler from home goalkeeper Dean Henderson gave Liverpool a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Henderson – on loan fromManchester United– allowed Gini Wijnaldum’s effort from the edge of the box squirm through his legs and trickle over the goalline.
The scoreline was harsh on a home side who tested Liverpool all afternoon, with Oli McBurnie, Callum Robinson and Oliver Norwood all testing Adrian.
FULL TIMEKEY EVENT
FULL TIME: Sheffield United 0-1 Liverpool
And that’s all folks!
Gini Wijnaldum’s lucky goal gives Liverpool the victory.
They move, temporarily, eight points clear.
But they had to work for it!
Sub
Mane off, Oxlade-Chamberlain on
Not been Sadio Mane’s day.
Hard work this has been for Liverpool.
Can United get one last chance?
Injury time
Still the home side attack.
Good from Adrian to relieve pressure by claiming a header into the box.
Injury time
Four minutes added on
They
Can they?
90 ”
Long diagonals from United now.
Basham up there wins one.
Baldock with a cross.
McBurnie shoves down Trent and heads behind.
Goalkick – would have been a freekick anyway, ref just says play on.
88 ‘
Good work from Liverpool, right to left.
Robertson to Origi.
Good feet, steps inside, opens up the shot … but drags it horribly at the near post.
Sub
Firmino off, Milner on
The end of Roberto Firmino’s day.
James Milner enters the fray.
Here’s a nice pic of Firmino celebrating.
84 ”
Big miss … Clarke
Liverpool have really given the ball away cheaply.
Long ball forward from Fleck … brilliant pass.
Clarke from six yards …. fires over into the Kop!
Adrian didn’t come off his line … Clarke should have done better.
81 ”
Corner to Sheffield United.
Origi slams clear.
Now a long ball forward and Salah tries to turn clear – but Basham does well.
79 ”
Liverpool with another opportunity, 4 vs 3.
But they slow it down too much and don’t make the most of it.
10 ‘to go.
77 ‘
Huge miss … Salah!
It should be 2-0.
Bad error from Lundstram puts Salah in the clear.
In the driving rain, he waits and tries to sidefoot home.
But Henderson stood up and turns behind with his right boot.
Still 1-0 .
75 ”
How do United respond now?
Really tough goal to take when they’ve done so well.
Wilder in discussions with his assistant over what to do next.
73 ‘
Now an effort from Mane.
Easily caught by Henderson.
Ironic cheers from away fans behind that goal
GOAL!KEY EVENT
GOAL! Sheffield United 0-1 Liverpool (Wijnaldum)
What a howler from Henderson!
Liverpool throw one into the area.
United head out to the edge.
Gini Wijnaldum is there and meets it on the volley – but doesn’t catch it.
However, it goes straight at Henderson and goes through his legs ,.
Oh dear.
Liverpool lead.
69.
Another freekick for Liverpool.
Poor from the Reds though.
67 ”
Double chance!
Oh Sheffield United!
Fleck down the left, cuts inside a challenge, fires a shot, blocked by Robertson. )
Only to Lundstram, 10 yards out, on the volley … blocked by Van Dijk.
They didn’t make the most of that Wilder’s side.
Klopp is NOT happy .
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
65 ”
Gasps from home fans as Matip gets in a tangle.
He does just enough to clear however and Liverpool smuggle it downfield.
This game still on a knife-edge.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Sub
Origi on, Henderson off
Liverpool bringing on Divock Origi.
Mane over to the right, Salah up top, Origi left, Firmino into the No. 10 position.
4.2.3.1.
Immediately a chance for Salah … but he slices it.
63 ”
O’Connell booked
Origi getting ready to come on
The Sheffield United defender Jack O’Connell is booked for time-wasting.
SUB
Robinson off, Mousset on
Lys Mousset comes on for the home side.
He notched the second at Everton last weekend.
“Moouuuuuseeeeee” cry the home support.
60 ”
Alexander-Arnold touches to Salah.
He stops it.
Trent strikes.
Miles over.
Dreadful.
59 ”
Freekick to Liverpool.
Salah fouled.
Anthony Taylor played advantage, none was forthcoming, so a freekick to the Reds around 25 minutes away.
(Image: EMPICS Sport)
55 ‘
Penalty appeal for a challenge by Lundstram on Mane.
No appeal from Mane.
Liverpool fans were up.
Referee says no, but replays reckon he might have been nicked.
Mane didn’t make an issue of it at all.
55 ”
Good play on the front foot from Matip.
Henderson down the right crosses.
Easy for Henderson in goal.
53 ”
Header over from McBurnie.
Adrian came out looking for the corner, got nowhere near.
And the Scot couldn’t get over his effort!
52 ‘
Jordan Henderson down.
Joel Matip has clattered into his skipper.
On comes the physio to deal with the England midfielder – who actually headed behind for a corner.
51 ‘
Another clearance from Van Dijk.
More good play from Robinson, flicking a pass through for McBurnie.
Cleared by Van Dijk …. now Fleck with a cross and another poke away from the Dutchman.
It’s like he’s got his own gravitational pull right now – FOUR good clearances already in the second half.
48 ”
After defending a corner, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have swapped positions.
They’ve even played a couple of crossfield balls to one another.
Ball out of play, they change back.
Foul by Firmino on Egan, who had been very good today.
46 ‘
Liverpool straight on the attack
Fabinho tries a whack from 25 yards – well blocked by McConnell.
Now United down the other end – Matip buffeted by McBurnie – Fleck drives on, into the box, pursued by Henderson – Van Dijk puts behind for a corner.
Van Dijk then heads the corner away too.
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