Lessons Learned: Sheffield United | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Gritty Victory: A Closer Look

A Slow Start with a Strong Finish

I’m not quite sure anyone told Liverpool they were actually kicking off against Sheffield United at 7:30pm and this was a typical slow start. They didn’t really seem to know the second half had started by all accounts too as you could see the equaliser coming. With City and Arsenal having won the night before, three points was expected and mandatory as the team with the worst away record visited the side with the best home record in the league. Genuinely can’t remember a goal like the opener and in Jurgen Klopp’s last league game under the lights, Liverpool were far from perfect but came away with all the points in this one. Hope no-ones eating a sandwich when they ask wilder his thoughts.

Mac The Knife Shines

He’s the in form player for Liverpool right now and boy how we needed Alexis Mac Allister in this one. It was a nervy Anfield when Sheffield United half cleared a corner late on, but the Argentinian midfielders strike into the top corner was a thing of beauty. He’d done well again as the six, but we need the mort important player right now as close to the opposition goal as we can. That was his sixth goal of the season and importantly his 13th goal contribution of the campaign. He’s a real contender for our player of the season and should be a shoe-in for team of the year. It seems pretty standard to be awed in him man of the match in most games now.

Nunez’s Unconventional Brilliance

There’s a large percentage of Darwin Nunez that is just mad bastard and if anyone was to tell you a Liverpool player scored with his crotch then you’d have put money on him. There seemed little danger when Grbic had the ball, but as the saying goes you don’t buy a ticket you don’t win the lottery. A Nunez leap and a crotch utilisation saw the Uruguayan move to 30 goal contributions (18 goals and 12 assists) in 44 appearances. His combination with Diaz looked dangerous and in the first half he almost had another with a weaving run as six defenders didn’t manage to stop his left footed shot. That’s his 15th goal contribution in 2024 and the most of any premier league player. Let’s hope his lucks like this on Sunday.

Tactical Shifts Pay Off

The whole system of inverting Joe Gomez, moving Ryan Gravenberch into the attacking midfield position and watching them squander the ball in good positions time and time again seemed baffling. It was baffling they lasted as omg as they did but it didn’t surprise anyone as much as Mo Salah being withdrawn. The script was there if it went wrong, but fortunately those that came on made a real impact. Robertson and Gakpo combined for the third goal and improved the team without doubt. Harvey Elliott helped the balance and control and if Robbo could remotely finish would have had an assist. Klopp got a lot wrong at the start, but fortunately managed to correct it. Curtis Jones was a welcome sight too and his return could be crucial.