Liverpool 2-1 Sheffield United. Reds secure 3 points on a tricky night for the champions

Diogo Jota scored the winner on his Anfield debut

Sheffield United came at Anfield determined to kick start their season and they will be disappointed to leave without a point. The champions had to dig deep and come from behind on the night but secured 3 vital points to get level on points with Merseyside neighbours Everton.

Jurgen Klopp went with 4-2-3-1 formation with Salah leading the line for Liverpool. Allison was deemed fit to start and Fabinho started at centre back again in the absence of Virgil Van Dijk. The visitors who were yet to win a league game this season gave a first league start for the former Liverpool favourite Rhian Brewster, who supported Oliver McBurnie in attack.

The defending champions made another typically strong start to the game, bringing Aaron Ramsdale in action early on to deny an extravagant attempt to score from his own half by Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool right back saw Ramsdale off the line and decided to goal for goal from just inside his own half but the former Bournemouth goalkeeper scrambled back and tipped it over to top. 

However, against the run of play, Sheffield United got a penalty for a foul on Oliver McBurnie by Fabinho. The referee Mike Dean initially gave a free kick from just outside the box but VAR intervened and deemed that the contact had occurred on the line and Sheffield United were awarded a spot kick. Sander Berge scored from the spot to give Blades a lead in a premier league for the first time this season.

Berge scored from the spot for The Blades

The Champions pressed for the equaliser with Wijnaldum and Fabinho both having chances to level the scores but their efforts were off target. Liverpool chasing the equaliser opened up spaces for Sheffield United on the counter attack but McBurnie and Osberg both missed golden opportunities to double the visitors lead.

Sheffield United were left to regret these missed chances as Liverpool equalised through Roberto Firmino. A rare Anfield goal for the Brazilian, as he tapped the ball in the net after Ramsdale palmed away a Sadio Mane header straight into his path. Firmino's first goal this season for Liverpool meant both teams going in level at half time.

The hosts started the second half as they ended the first with Mo Salah curling one just over the crossbar. Around the hour mark,the Egyptian spelled his magic with a magical touch and a vollied finish but his Bergkamp like goal was rightfully cancelled out for offside. Liverpool were rewarded for their constant pressure as Diogo Jota marked his first Anfield start in the league with a goal. The Portuguese international met Sadio Mane's pinpoint cross with a perfect header to give the champions a lead for the first time on the night.

Sheffield United reacted positively to going behind and kept creating chances. Chris Wilder brought on McGoldrick looking for an equaliser and the Irish international almost made an instant impact seconds after coming on but his shot went over the crossbar. On the other end, Salah had the chance to seal the 3 points for the Reds as he turned away from John Egan and chipped the ball over Ramsdale only to hit the post.

Oliver Burke had a huge chance to steal a point in the stoppage time but he snapped his shot over the top in what was the last meaningful chance of the game.

Sheffield United remain winless after 5 games after a night of If's and But's at Anfield while the Reds from Merseyside get closer to the top of the table.

Marcus Rashford scored late on for Manchester United to register a win at the Parc des Princes and yes, you've heard that before.

Manchester United beat PSG away to start their Champions League campaign with a win.

Marcus Rashford and Manchester United's love story with Paris continued as Ole Gunnar Solskjær's travelling reds registered a crucial win in the opening fixture of their UEFA champions league.

The Manchester United manager was missing key players through injury and opted for a back five, with youngster Axel Tuanzebe making a start for the first time this season as well as a debut for the new signing Alex Telles. PSG were missing some important players themselves but the attacking trio of Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria were fit to start for the last season's runner ups.

The hosts dominated the ball in the early stages as David de Gea had to pull off crucial saves to keep the game level. First, a curling shot from a former-red Di maria and then a point blank save from Kurzawa. On the other end, Martial was fouled in the box by Diallo and the referee awarded United a spot kick. Bruno Fernandes who missed his penalty on the weekend against Newcastle United missed again but what followed was another VAR intervention. Navas was off the line and a retake was awarded which Bruno Fernandes put away to give United a 1-0 lead going into half time.

The second half started with PSG dominating the ball and trying to breach the United defence but the visitors had the best chances early on with Rashford going through on goal twice and failing to convert both of them. David de Gea was back to his stunning best when he denied Kylian Mbappe but the Spaniard was helpless when Anthony Martial headed the ball into his own net from a corner to get PSG level. 

Paul Pogba replaced Alex Telles to play the final quarter of the game and Manchester United started to look more threatening. In an end to end game both teams had their chances to win it but some fine tacking by Aaron Wan Bissaka and great saves by Keylor Navas and De Gea kept the game at 1-1. The game looked to be heading to a draw but then up stepped Marcus Rashford. The 22 year old received the ball at the edge of the box before hitting a hard low shot towards the bottom corner to restore Manchester United's lead.

This win takes Manchester United to second in Group H in these early Champions League stage. They'll face RB Leipzig at Old Trafford next as PSG will travel away to Istanbul to face Istanbul Basaksehir.

Bernd Leno heroics helps Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties to enter the Carabao Cup Quarter Finals

Liverpool hosted Arsenal for a second time in 3 days as the premier league champions hosted Gunners for a place in the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup. 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made a wholesale change to the team that lost to Liverpool just 3 days ago . Bukayo Saka, who is called up for the England squad, was given a start at Anfield along with Dani Ceballos who impressed in the second half on Monday. Liverpool made 9 changes to the winning team from Monday as only Virgil Van Djik and Mo Salah kept their places.

The first half was a very cagey affair with both teams midfield dominating the ball. Arsenal enjoyed early possession of the ball but the best chance in early stages went to Liverpool's Grijic who missed timed his volley after a cross from Jota. Arsenal had the ball in the back of the net from a well worked free kick but the referee disallowed it for a foul on Grijic during the build up to that goal. The best chance of a goalless first half though came right at the end when Leno made a diving save from Jota's shot and Minamino hit the crossbar from close range. 

The second half was more eventful as Liverpool pressed for an opener but Leno was like a wall that they could not break down. The German Keeper put on his 'A-Game' to deny Grujic and then Van Dijk. The Arsenal No.1 dived to his left to make a brilliant reflection save to deny Van Dijk from close range. The saving spree continued as Leno denied Jota on a couple of occasions, once brilliantly diving to his left. 

Arsenal's best chance came in the 70th minute when Holding won a header in the box unchallenged but hit it straight at Adrian who made a good save. A second half dominated by the goalkeepers came to an end with both keepers keeping their clean sheets as the game went to penalties.

On a day when Leno looked unbeatable, fittingly it was the German keeper who saved 2 penalties in the shootout after a host of brilliant saves in 90 minutes to put Arsenal in the Quarter Final draw.

Penalties- 

Milner - ✔️                     Lacazette- ✔️

Wijnaldum-✔️               Cedric - ✔️

Minamino - ✔️              Elneny - ❌

Origi - ❌                        Maitland Niles - ✔️

Jones - ✔️                        Pepe - ✔️

Wilson - ❌                     Willock - ✔️