Deadbat
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There were no surprises at Anfield on Thursday night as the team that ended the night clear at the top of the table saw off the team at the foot of the division. After some lop sided contests featuring the Blades this season, many fans would have been fearing the worst but United were well in the contest for most of the duration. United missed two great chances inside the first two minutes but Liverpool quickly took control and led after Ivo Grbic’s horrific mistake gifted Darwin Gomez an opener. United got to half time only one down and then levelled after good work from McAtee and Hamer saw the ball go in off Bradley, the Liverpool defender. The home side were looking frustrated and had to bring on four substitutions but it was a moment of brilliance that saw them get the vital goal as Mac Allister’s wonder strike restored the lead. Gakpo’s late header gave the scoreline the gloss and a deserved victory for Liverpool but it had been a nervous second half for Jurgen Klopp’s men and an encouraging one for Chris Wilder. Defeated and on the verge of relegation but the fight and spirit shown was in evidence as United did not get the going over that many thought they would.
Manager Wilder shuffled his cards again with McAtee and Trusty in for Osborn and McBurnie; who dropped to the bench seemingly with fitness issues after they had been two of United’s best players at the weekend.
Klopp, in his final game against the Blades and Wilder, made two changes to the side that began the 2-1 home win over Brighton as Ibrahima Konate replaces Jarell Quansah in the middle of defence, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch in for Wataru Endo, who does not feature in the squad.
Liverpool knew a win would take them top but would also be looking to boost their goal difference in comparison to rivals City and Arsenal, knowing a large victory would see them getting closer to the Gunners in that regard.
However, it was the Blades that started the better and could have scored twice in the opening two minutes. The first chance came when Robinson’s long throw was flicked on by Ahmedhodzic and McAtee was in at the back post but his finish was straight at Kelleher who saved with his legs. Anywhere else and it would have been a goal. Straight from the resulting corner, Trusty flicked his header across and Brereton Diaz almost converted at the far post with the keeper well beaten. It had been a really encouraging start but Liverpool woke from their slumber and Grbic’s indecisive keeping on 5 minutes saw him palm a cross away leading to Salah curling an effort goalwards and the Croat had to help it over the bar. Nunez then headed narrowly wide from a dangerous cross as he was left completely unmarked.
The next spell saw Liverpool dominate the ball and were looking to feed Diaz and Salah at every opportunity. Bradley and Gomez were both well forward in support as United tried to plug the gaps as the pass and move possession football threatened to open them up. Souza’s foul on Gomez gave the home side a free kick and after it was initially cleared, Salah again looked to find the corner but this time was over and wide.
Arblaster’s give away saw Salah play in Nunez and his cross was cleared by Bogle as United scrambled back to clear. The home side were now in complete control after their poor start but the opening goal came from a goalkeeping effort. The ball was played back to Grbic and he took way too long to clear, talking a touch and then firing it at the advancing NUNEZ and it bounced into the net as the keeper ran back in vain as it bounced over the line.
Liverpool were now in confident mood and Nunez danced round two weak challenges from Ahmedhodzic and Arblaster but his shot was straight at Grbic. Brereton Diaz gave United a breather as he drew a foul but McAtee’s free kick was wasted, continuing another poor performance from the on-loan City man.
Mac Allister’s was given way too much time on the edge of the box but his effort did not quite have the curl to come back inside the post and went narrowly wide. The Blades were really struggling with the intensity of Liverpool but were not helping themselves by constantly turning the ball over. All of the midfield were guilty of this for a spell as the game between defence v attack. Diaz embarrassed both Bogle and Souza, leaving them both in the dirt with some outrageous skill out wide but Gravenberch’s effort lacked power and Grbic made the save. Soon after Szoboszlai took aim and his effort drew a tip over from the goalkeeper.
A rare attack from United saw Robinson have another opportunity to throw the ball in and whilst his effort did not endanger the home backline, it was returned and Ahmedhodzic fired over but the offside flag went up anyway. Diaz then got away from the United defence too easily but shot wide before in stoppage time at the end of the half, the Blades did fashion another chance. Brereton Diaz did well to hold it up and slipped a clever ball into the path of Bogle, whose shot was powerful enough but Kelleher dived to his right to make the save. Souza made a good tackle as Liverpool tried to break and appeals for a free kick on the edge of the box, were waved away just before the half time whistle went.
United were only one down and had opportunities at the either end of the half but 83% possession, on track for a Premier League record, told a story and once again too many shots were raining in on the Blades goal. What was frustrating was the manner of the goal – an absolute howler.
The second half began with Grbic taking a cross and then fielding a shot from Salah from the edge of the area with no challenge on him.
United did win a free kick on 50 minutes after foul on Breteton Diaz but Hamer’s effort was straight at the keeper. Liverpool then nearly got in after Holgate overplayed. The Blades had competed well in this period of the game and were picking up loose balls and looking more of a threat. On 56 minutes, the Blades found a shock leveller. McAtee did well in the build up to keep the ball and then once again was instrumental as he got on the ball and sent over a deep cross which saw Brereton Diaz and Hamer at the back post and the ball came off Hamer and then off BRADLEY (OG) to squirm under Kelleher’s legs and into the net!
Liverpool responded with a double change with Robertson and Elliott on for Salah and Gravenberch. Hamer was struggling to carry on after the goal when he picked up a knock and Osborn replaced him. MCBurnie and Osula also came on for Brereton Diaz and McAtee.
A corner saw Van Dijk head down but Grbic did well to spring to his right and make the low save and the subsequent corner was headed behind and a goal kick was awarded. Konate needed treatment after he took a whack from Osula but this game was not more evenly balanced than the first half. United were looking dangerous on the break and Arblaster played it out to Bogle whose cross fell to McBurnie but his cross did not sit for a teammate.
Ahmedhodzic made a vital stretched clearance to knock the ball away before Liverpool made another double change as Gakpo and Jones for Szoboszlai as the crowd started to become frustrated. A few needless fouls and give aways saw the Blades regain possession and they were well in the game. However, one substitute Jones crossed for another, Robertson, to fire narrowly wide to keep United honest. A soft foul gave Liverpool a free kick but United were able to clear to Osula who appealed in vain for a foul on half way but nothing was given and the ball came back at the Blades. The ball was not properly cleared and a few ricochets saw it fall for MAC ALLISTER who reacted quicker than McBurnie and smashed the ball into the top corner of the net.
Trusty came off for Brooks but Liverpool could now relax and won two corners before Gakpo danced round his man and fired wide. Liverpool had a free kick from 25 yards and Mac Allister took it and it brushed Souza and cracked off the bar before Holgate and Grbic combined to knock it behind. Osula gave the ball away and Liverpool broke and nearly got in before McBurnie was booked for an elbow.
Slimane came on for Holgate before more indecisive goalkeeping from Grbic saw him fail to complete the catch and almost get lobbed but the third goal was not long coming. Roberton sent over an inviting delivery and with half the defence coming out and half staying in, Osborn could not get close enough to GAKPO who headed easily into the net past the exposed Grbic who was slow to react to the header.
There would be 7 minutes of stoppage time but Liverpool played this time out with comfort and United’s race was run and the home side celebrated returning to the top of the league. For the visitors, their inevitable relegation back to the Championship will surely be confirmed in a matter of weeks but United could be proud of their efforts in a committed and resilient showing against a far superior side.
Manager Wilder shuffled his cards again with McAtee and Trusty in for Osborn and McBurnie; who dropped to the bench seemingly with fitness issues after they had been two of United’s best players at the weekend.
Klopp, in his final game against the Blades and Wilder, made two changes to the side that began the 2-1 home win over Brighton as Ibrahima Konate replaces Jarell Quansah in the middle of defence, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch in for Wataru Endo, who does not feature in the squad.
Liverpool knew a win would take them top but would also be looking to boost their goal difference in comparison to rivals City and Arsenal, knowing a large victory would see them getting closer to the Gunners in that regard.
However, it was the Blades that started the better and could have scored twice in the opening two minutes. The first chance came when Robinson’s long throw was flicked on by Ahmedhodzic and McAtee was in at the back post but his finish was straight at Kelleher who saved with his legs. Anywhere else and it would have been a goal. Straight from the resulting corner, Trusty flicked his header across and Brereton Diaz almost converted at the far post with the keeper well beaten. It had been a really encouraging start but Liverpool woke from their slumber and Grbic’s indecisive keeping on 5 minutes saw him palm a cross away leading to Salah curling an effort goalwards and the Croat had to help it over the bar. Nunez then headed narrowly wide from a dangerous cross as he was left completely unmarked.
The next spell saw Liverpool dominate the ball and were looking to feed Diaz and Salah at every opportunity. Bradley and Gomez were both well forward in support as United tried to plug the gaps as the pass and move possession football threatened to open them up. Souza’s foul on Gomez gave the home side a free kick and after it was initially cleared, Salah again looked to find the corner but this time was over and wide.
Arblaster’s give away saw Salah play in Nunez and his cross was cleared by Bogle as United scrambled back to clear. The home side were now in complete control after their poor start but the opening goal came from a goalkeeping effort. The ball was played back to Grbic and he took way too long to clear, talking a touch and then firing it at the advancing NUNEZ and it bounced into the net as the keeper ran back in vain as it bounced over the line.
Liverpool were now in confident mood and Nunez danced round two weak challenges from Ahmedhodzic and Arblaster but his shot was straight at Grbic. Brereton Diaz gave United a breather as he drew a foul but McAtee’s free kick was wasted, continuing another poor performance from the on-loan City man.
Mac Allister’s was given way too much time on the edge of the box but his effort did not quite have the curl to come back inside the post and went narrowly wide. The Blades were really struggling with the intensity of Liverpool but were not helping themselves by constantly turning the ball over. All of the midfield were guilty of this for a spell as the game between defence v attack. Diaz embarrassed both Bogle and Souza, leaving them both in the dirt with some outrageous skill out wide but Gravenberch’s effort lacked power and Grbic made the save. Soon after Szoboszlai took aim and his effort drew a tip over from the goalkeeper.
A rare attack from United saw Robinson have another opportunity to throw the ball in and whilst his effort did not endanger the home backline, it was returned and Ahmedhodzic fired over but the offside flag went up anyway. Diaz then got away from the United defence too easily but shot wide before in stoppage time at the end of the half, the Blades did fashion another chance. Brereton Diaz did well to hold it up and slipped a clever ball into the path of Bogle, whose shot was powerful enough but Kelleher dived to his right to make the save. Souza made a good tackle as Liverpool tried to break and appeals for a free kick on the edge of the box, were waved away just before the half time whistle went.
United were only one down and had opportunities at the either end of the half but 83% possession, on track for a Premier League record, told a story and once again too many shots were raining in on the Blades goal. What was frustrating was the manner of the goal – an absolute howler.
The second half began with Grbic taking a cross and then fielding a shot from Salah from the edge of the area with no challenge on him.
United did win a free kick on 50 minutes after foul on Breteton Diaz but Hamer’s effort was straight at the keeper. Liverpool then nearly got in after Holgate overplayed. The Blades had competed well in this period of the game and were picking up loose balls and looking more of a threat. On 56 minutes, the Blades found a shock leveller. McAtee did well in the build up to keep the ball and then once again was instrumental as he got on the ball and sent over a deep cross which saw Brereton Diaz and Hamer at the back post and the ball came off Hamer and then off BRADLEY (OG) to squirm under Kelleher’s legs and into the net!
Liverpool responded with a double change with Robertson and Elliott on for Salah and Gravenberch. Hamer was struggling to carry on after the goal when he picked up a knock and Osborn replaced him. MCBurnie and Osula also came on for Brereton Diaz and McAtee.
A corner saw Van Dijk head down but Grbic did well to spring to his right and make the low save and the subsequent corner was headed behind and a goal kick was awarded. Konate needed treatment after he took a whack from Osula but this game was not more evenly balanced than the first half. United were looking dangerous on the break and Arblaster played it out to Bogle whose cross fell to McBurnie but his cross did not sit for a teammate.
Ahmedhodzic made a vital stretched clearance to knock the ball away before Liverpool made another double change as Gakpo and Jones for Szoboszlai as the crowd started to become frustrated. A few needless fouls and give aways saw the Blades regain possession and they were well in the game. However, one substitute Jones crossed for another, Robertson, to fire narrowly wide to keep United honest. A soft foul gave Liverpool a free kick but United were able to clear to Osula who appealed in vain for a foul on half way but nothing was given and the ball came back at the Blades. The ball was not properly cleared and a few ricochets saw it fall for MAC ALLISTER who reacted quicker than McBurnie and smashed the ball into the top corner of the net.
Trusty came off for Brooks but Liverpool could now relax and won two corners before Gakpo danced round his man and fired wide. Liverpool had a free kick from 25 yards and Mac Allister took it and it brushed Souza and cracked off the bar before Holgate and Grbic combined to knock it behind. Osula gave the ball away and Liverpool broke and nearly got in before McBurnie was booked for an elbow.
Slimane came on for Holgate before more indecisive goalkeeping from Grbic saw him fail to complete the catch and almost get lobbed but the third goal was not long coming. Roberton sent over an inviting delivery and with half the defence coming out and half staying in, Osborn could not get close enough to GAKPO who headed easily into the net past the exposed Grbic who was slow to react to the header.
There would be 7 minutes of stoppage time but Liverpool played this time out with comfort and United’s race was run and the home side celebrated returning to the top of the league. For the visitors, their inevitable relegation back to the Championship will surely be confirmed in a matter of weeks but United could be proud of their efforts in a committed and resilient showing against a far superior side.