Liverpool 2-0 Sheffield United: Liverpool Player Ratings
With the new signing, Takumi Minamino watching on, Liverpool regained their 13 point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah gave the Reds the perfect start with a well-taken finish in the first 4 minutes.
Sheffield responded well to going behind and had Liverpool worried for a short while, with Alisson Becker called into action to deflect McGoldrick’s powerful strike.
Liverpool soon took back control of the game with the Reds midfield led by an excellent Jordan Henderson dictated the tempo thereafter.
The Sheffield keeper Dean Henderson whose mistake led to Liverpool’s winner in the reverse fixture redeemed himself by keeping the Reds at bay multiple times.
The Reds, however, kept pressing and their efforts paid off in the second half when Sadio Mane put the result beyond doubt
The only negative for Liverpool will be the loss of Naby Keita to a groin injury during warmup.
Another day, another win. The Red juggernaut marches on.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson Becker (7/10)
Made a smart save from McGoldrick in the first half as the visitors enjoyed a good spell.
Wasn’t overly troubled and saved well from Mousset and McBurnie.Another clean sheet for the Brazilian number one.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10)
Sloppy with his passing at times but improved as the game went on. Almost picked up an assist for Salah but for an excellent save from Henderson.
Could have added to his tally of assists had Firmino been more clinical.
Joe Gomez (8/10)
An imperious presence alongside Van Dijk. Showed good strength and was strong in his tackle.
passed well and brought the ball out of defense when necessary.
Virgil van Dijk (9/10)
Brilliant pass to Robertson who set up Salah for Liverpool’s opener. A pretty standard performance by the Dutchman who has set such high standards.
Went close to scoring on one occasion and showed incredible timing to win the ball off Mousset as Sheffield United broke on the counter.
Andrew Robertson (7/10)
Won the assists battle against Alexander-Arnold for the night as he set up Salah for the opener.
A calm and assured performance. Held up against anything Sheffield threw at him.
Jordan Henderson (9/10)
If Liverpool were an orchestra, Henderson would be it/s Maestro. A near-faultless display from the skipper who dominated the midfield.
Won back and rotated possession over and over again as Liverpool gained a stranglehold on the Sheffield midfield.
Often underappreciated, Henderson is the vital cog in the Reds machine that seamlessly links the defense with the attack.
Giorginio Wijnaldum (8/10)
A genius at keeping the ball, his ability to get out of tight spaces is an asset to Liverpool’s system as it helps them retain and keep the ball.
Should have gotten on the scoresheet but put his effort wide.
James Milner (7/10)
A late replacement for the unfortunate Keita, Milner fit in seamlessly in the midfield three. The quietest of the three, the veteran did his job and he did it well.
Mohamed Salah (9/10)
A much-improved performance from the Egyptian. Got his goal early on and threatened often. Unlucky not to score a second by a brilliant save by Henderson.
Hit the post in the second half and tested the keeper consistently. Read Mane’s run well to set him up for the second.
Roberto Firmino (6/10)
Not the Brazilian’s best night as he struggled to connect at the end of some well-worked chances.
His ability in passing let him down as well as he couldn’t find Salah on the break, as Liverpool sliced through the Sheffield defense.
Went close with a curling effort from the right in the second half.
Sadio Mane (8/10)
A constant threat on the counter, his direct running pushed back the Sheffield defense.
Was constantly on the move and played a wonderful one-two with Salah as he scored Liverpool’s second to put the tie beyond doubt.
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Substitutes
Divock Origi (7/10)
Did not have much to do and kept the ball well. Ran back to his own penalty area in the 91st minute to help out in defense. The effort was well appreciated by the Anfield crowd.
Adam Lallana (NA)
Replaced Robertson in the 88th minute. Didn’t have much to do and kept the ball ticking.
Harvey Elliott (NA)
Came on in stoppage time as Liverpool saw out the game. The 16 year old’s Premier League debut for the Reds.
