Liverpool beat Sheffield United 2-0 in Chris Wilder's first game back in charge of the Blades to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to two points.
2023/2024 Premier League
0-2
Match Report
Bottom-placed Sheffield United remain four points from safety but will take encouragement from their first performance of Wilder's second stint as head coach, which saw them frustrate Liverpool for long periods either side of Virgil van Dijk's goal and before Dominik Szoboszlai added late gloss.
The Dutchman volleyed in his first strike of the season from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner on 37 minutes after his marker Anel Ahmedhodzic tumbled. A VAR check cleared the goal and it set Liverpool on course for victory on a night where they had long spells of possession but struggled to carve out clear-cut openings against a reorganised home side.
It wasn't until the 94th minute that Szoboszlai eventually added a second, converting after sub Darwin Nunez had won the ball back from Jayden Bogle with a challenge which left the home side complaining but VAR again unmoved.
Sheffield United keeper Wes Foderingham had denied Nunez from a one-on-one and earlier kept out a stinging volley from Mohamed Salah but Liverpool never really got out of second gear with their attacking play.
With Sheffield United failing to seriously test Caoimhin Kelleher beyond a dangerous break which led to James McAtee's shot in the first half, a valuable three points were secured on a night when Liverpool weren't at their best.
There was a scare for the visitors just before Szoboszlai's goal when Ibrahima Konate shoved McAtee over in the box but with referee Simon Hooper and VAR not interested, Jurgen Klopp's men keep pace with Arsenal in the title race.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
10' Salah's shot over the bar
12' Kelleher makes good save
23' Konate's header stopped
37' GOAL! Sheff Utd 0-1 Liverpool (Van Dijk)
55' Salah's shot stopped
77' Nunez misses a great chance!
94' GOAL! Sheff Utd 0-2 Liverpool (Dominik Szoboszlai)
Line-ups
Sheff Utd XI: Robinson, Wes Foderingham, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Auston Trusty, Jayden Bogle, Gustavo Hamer, Vini Souza, Cameron Archer, James McAtee, William Osula, Andre Brooks
Subs: Fleck, Norwood, Adam Davies, Max Lowe, Luke Thomas, Larouci, Anis Slimane, Bénie Traoré, Femi Seriki
Liverpool XI: W. Endo, Salah, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Cody Gakpo, Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz
Subs: Adrian, Tsimikas, Darwin Núñez, Marcelo Pitaluga, Curtis Jones, Gravenberch, Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley