Liverpool retained 2nd-place as they beat Sheffield United 2-0 at Bramall Lane.
With the festive fixtures mounting across English football, opportunities to catch your breath are few and far between. Liverpool played their first Wednesday night match of the season, with Sheffield United the opposition at Bramall Lane.
With Arsenal moving five points clear after their dramatic 4-3 win at Kenilworth Road the night previous, the onus was on the Reds to close the gap as they faced the side bottom of the table.
Caoimhin Kelleher maintained his spot in goal as Alisson continued his rehabilitation to full fitness. Ibrahima Konate partnered Virgil van Dijk in defence, with the news that Joel Matip’s ACL injury will keep him out until the end of the season.
Wataru Endo started alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield – with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz starting up front.
Liverpool were prudent in their approach to the match, but struggled to break down Sheffield United in the first half. With Chris Wilder returning to the Blades just the day before, they showed a rigid stability in their play.
It wasn’t until ten minutes before half-time when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a cracking cross from a corner for the captain, Van Dijk, to volley home an emphatic effort.
The Reds took this lead into the interval with the match still in the balance. Sheffield United had chances in the second half to draw level, with Konate sloppily giving the ball away for the hosts to create a chance.
With Liverpool looking to grind out a hard-fought win, they called upon Szoboszlai, who finished Darwin Nunez’s cross after the Uruguyan’s excellent recovery tackle.
A two-nil win and keeping up the pressure with Arsenal, Liverpool look to be well-and-truly in the hunt, not just for the top four, but a potential title challenge. Keeping players fit will be hugely important, and the news of an injury to Alexis Mac Allister will not be welcome.
The next challenge is Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park for Liverpool, kick-off is at 12:30pm (of course) on Saturday, 9 December.
Sheffield United team: Foderingham, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Trusty (Lowe 88), Bogle, Hamer, Souza (Norwood 86), Brooks (Fleck 74), McAtee, Archer, Osula (Traore 74).
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Mac Allister (Jones 57), Endo, Szoboszlai, Salah (Elliott 67), Gakpo (Gravenberch 86), Diaz (Nunez 67).
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