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Sheffield 0-1 Liverpool: 3 Talking Points as Jurgen Klopp’s side extend their winning streak to stay top | Premier League 2019/20

Sudarshan Venkatesan
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Liverpool edged Sheffield United through Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal in the second half. 

Liverpool were made to work hard by Sheffield United for three points as Gini Wijnaldum’s powerful effort on goal reflected in a 1-0 victory. The Reds had two glorious chances to go ahead in the first half, but Sadio Mane failed to produce the extra touch to divert the ball inside the back of the net.

The hosts then produced a bit of magic by making runs behind Liverpool’s defence, but Andy Robertson’s committed block kept the scoreline intact. Jurgen Klopp’s side lacked imagination, but remained committed and pressed high for the go-ahead goal. When the ball fell for Gini Wijnaldum to take a shot from a clearance, the Dutchman struck the ball perfectly. The ball went straight into goalkeeper Dean Henderson hands, but he completely made a mess out of it to see him concede the first of the game.

Premier League debutant Leon Clarke came close to scoring, but his full stretch was not able to divert the ball to equalize. For the rest of the game, Liverpool stood strong and closed down their opponents to secure all-important three points.

This will be a huge victory for Liverpool, who are most likely to keep the same five-point lead intact as City travel to Goodison Park later today. Sheffield United, on the other hand, should be proud of their display and have plenty of positives to pick from.

As we discuss this game, we look at three talking points from Liverpool’s victory over Sheffield United.

#1 Individual mistake will make huge difference in results 

Sheffield United had a moment of lapses in their defensive department, but produced a fight to keep Liverpool on check. Sadio Mane struck the crossbar once and had another chance in the first half. Apart from these two incidents, the host’s defence were on their toe – defending for their lives until Dean Henderson’s calamity came back to bite them.

The goalkeeper on loan from Manchester United had to catch a powerful shot from Georginio Wijnaldum. Although the ball was straight at him, the young shot-stopper made a calamity by letting the ball go from inside his leg to hand over the lead to Liverpool. While Sheffield’s opponents were not at their best, the eleven did their bits and didn’t let concentration affect them.

Liverpool were victims of this situation in the past, but they have built a strong core to elevate in this department. Sheffield United will have lots of positives despite this blunder from Dean Henderson.

#2 VAR continues to commit blunt errors 

The utilization of the Video Assitant Referee (VAR) has been brought into question at times. Before the International break in September, the referee panel revealed that four mistakes were committed during the first month of the Premier League action.

There was a moment in the second half where Liverpool were denied the penalty. Liverpool’s number 10 Sadio Mane was brought down by Sheffield United’s defender inside the penalty box, but the referee waved away. Once the ball went out for a throw-in, the referee whistled to get a conclusion about the potential penalty, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decided to rule out and didn’t award a penalty for a blatant foul.

The commentators were convinced it’s a penalty, but they were not assured over the angle required to take the call. The Premier League panel must install many angles to cut down negligible errors, which occurred without the usage of this technology.

#3 Sheffield’s overlapping centre-halves caused trouble, but Liverpool missed glaring chances 

Sheffield United’s tactics set up by Chris Wilder is totally different from others. The English side’s full-backs sit back with the defence, while their centre-backs overlap their midfield department and get involved in the attack.

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino once dragged their centre-back by creating much-needed space for Sadio Mane to go for a one-v-one. But, the Senegalese missed it. Since the hosts were eager to hit them on the break and put bodies on their penalty box to cause problems to Virgil Van Dijk and Co. The visitors also had another chance before the half-time whistle, but Mane hit the crossbar from close range.

The Reds trio didn’t gel, but they had two glaring chances in the first half. Sheffield United should be proud of their display, but Liverpool continue to pick up results.

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