A return to winning ways at Anfield for Liverpool

Overcoming adversity and winning ugly is the natural order of things for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s side survived a scare at Anfield, defeating Sheffield United 2-1.

Chris Wilder’s Blades survived an early flourish of intense attacking in the opening minutes before being awarded a dubious penalty in the 11th minute.

Fabinho clearly got the ball first at the edge of the 18 yard box, but a VAR review handed a spot-kick to United.

Allison was back in goal after missing three matches but made at least two crucial saves and looks to be healthy once again.

This left the Reds chasing the game for the rest of the first half and had some uncharacteristic difficulty keeping possession in midfield; spraying errant passes and balls about the pitch.

Liverpool seemed just a tad off in pace and energy. It looked more like they were playing a training match actually. Indeed, the Blades won more 50/50 balls and had the better of the aerial duals and second balls.

Liverpool struggled at times to connect four or five passes together and just looked slow and tired throughout.

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I cannot recall a time when this Liverpool side were so soundly beaten in the air as Sheffield played over the top ball over and over. The defence just looked tired and out of sorts.

A nicely played ball into the area by Jordan Henderson found Sadio Mane’s head but a quick reaction save from Aaron Ramsdale dropped precipitously at the feet of Roberto Firmino, who side footed in the equaliser in the 41st minute.

Diogo Jota got the starting nod in the midfield and once again made good on the gaffer’s team selection, driving home a nice header midway through the second period. This would round out the scoring as Mo Salah’s strike earlier was ruled offside. Mo also had a nice shot carom off the near post in the 76th minute.

The Blades continued to threaten up until the final whistle and came close a couple of times to knotting up the tie before full time.

Jurgen Klopp will be pleased about the intestinal fortitude and mental toughness of his squad to come back from a goal down early, and he will be less than pleased with their poor passing and at times slow reaction to free and loose balls after aerial challenges.

There is plenty of work to be done on the defensive front as well, as Fabinho was caught out on the flank a couple of times in the second half.

The Reds were fortunate in the end to claim the three points here, against a well drilled and efficient Sheffield United – once again speaking to Chris Wilder’s preparation and gameplan.

Liverpool will have no opportunity to rest as they will play host to group D opponent Midtjylland of Denmark in the Champions League this week.

They will return to Premier League action next weekend also at Anfield when they take on the Hammers and David Moyes.

It was an uncharacteristic match today for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds; they still need to find their form and rhythm after the injury riddled start to the fall campaign. They should have several players returning from injury in the week ahead and they will need the likes of Thiago, Joel Matip and Naby Keita to help them see through this stack of fixtures until the next international break.

Man of the match for me is shared by Mo Salah and Diogo Jota. The fact that Bobby got onto the scoresheet should also give confidence to these Reds going forward.