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.