Joe Gomez ended the game as the only standout performer as Liverpool hosted Sheffield United in a narrow 2-1 win.
Liverpool hosted Sheffield United at Anfield in gameweek 6 of the Premier League hoping to build on their win against Ajax in midweek in the Champions League. And build they did, as they ended the game with a 2-1 win following an evenly-contested game where they were no standout performers.
The game did not start how the Reds would have wanted to, as they got pegged back within 15 minutes after Fabinho’s foul on Oliver McBurnie was deemed inside the box. Sheffield’s record signing made no mistake from the spot as he sent Alisson the wrong way.
GET IN THERE!! ?#YNWA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 24, 2020
Liverpool struggled to create chances for the next half an hour but got lucky after Sadio Mane’s effort was saved by Aaron Ramsdale, but fell right in Roberto Firmino’s path who tapped it in for his first goal of the season. Mohamed Salah’s goal was disallowed in the second half as both teams continued to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Unfortunately for the visitors, one minute after VAR came to their rescue, Mane’s cross found Diogo Jota, who leapt over Enda Stevens to head home Liverpool’s winner. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Alisson: 6
Alisson did not have an awful lot to do after his return to the Liverpool lineup. He made one save in the game and commanded his box fairly well during set-pieces. A courageous moment on the ball, however, was nearly punished as he failed to release his pass early.
Evening, @Alissonbecker ? #LFC | #LIVSHU pic.twitter.com/uEGNWjqYZr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 24, 2020
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6.5
Alexander-Arnold has looked like a shadow of his former self this season but threatened the right flank fairly well against Sheffield United. While he made three key passes and created one big chance, it was almost too easy for Ben Osborn and Oliver Burke to get past him. Ended the game with just a single defensive contribution (one clearance).
Fabinho: 6
The pressure was on Fabinho to mirror his behemoth of performance from midweek against Sheffield United, but he failed to do so. Not only did he gave away a penalty within the opening one-third of the first-half, but he also gave away possession 12 times, while winning only 1/3 of his ground duels, and 3/7 of his aerial duels.
Joe Gomez: 8
Boss, @J_Gomez97 ?
Your #LIVSHU @carlsberg Man of the Match ? pic.twitter.com/mD2wyXzcFq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 24, 2020
Gomez was inarguably the standout performer of the game, making nine clearances, two interceptions, one tackle and winning three set-pieces while giving away just one himself. The standout stat from his, however, was his 100% long ball accuracy (12/12), one of which nearly created a 1v1 situation for Salah.
Andrew Robertson: 7
While not his best game, Robertson still managed to cap off his performance with two key passes and a solid defensive display. That said, he lost possession a bizarre 22 times – the second-most in the game after TAA’s 26.
Jordan Henderson: 7.5
Jordan Henderson created a fabulous chance in the first half when his cross found its way between three defenders right to Sadio Mane. While he was unfortunate to come out of the game without an assist, he did make three clearances, three interceptions, and gave away no fouls despite playing as a holding midfielder.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7
Wijnaldum is no stranger to the 4-2-3-1, playing in a variety of roles in that structure with Newcastle. Yesterday, he took up the role of a box-to-box midfielder and did fairly well, creating one chance in the attack, and blocked Oliver McBurnie’s shot on target in the defence.
Diogo Jota: 6.5
Jota was fielded out of position on the right-wing in the four-man attack, which was the reason the Portuguese was next to invisible for a majority of the game. He got his clutch moment, though, scoring the winner for Liverpool as they won all three points from the fixture.
Brilliant vision and cross from Sadio ?
Superb header from @DiogoJota18 ?A unique angle of our winner from last night ? pic.twitter.com/4eo9L3CGgO
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 25, 2020
Roberto Firmino: 7.5
Fielded as what is arguably his best position on the pitch, Firmino came through for the Reds with the equaliser before half time, courtesy of a well-timed run into the box. Apart from that, he completed 100% (2/2) of his dribbles and won 100% (3/3) of his ground duels. Marked thoroughly by the stacked Sheffield midfield, Firmino did enough to come through on the night.
Sadio Mane: 5.5
Sadio Mane looked complacent on the ball playing on his favoured left flank yesterday. He looked casual, and gave away possession too many times (18 in total), and did not do well covering for himself, making three fouls. Not to mention he hit an open header right at Ramsdale. His only moment of brilliance came as his crossed assisted the winner for Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah: 4
Over the past three years, Salah has looked increasingly like a natural poacher and goalscorer. However, he did not look anything close to that despite playing as the number 9. The Egyptian messed up two easy finishes, hitting on of them on the post. Additionally, he also skewed a fantastic cross by Alexander-Arnold by a poorly timed run. Back to the right?
SUBSTITUTES
James Milner: N/A
Came on for Jota; touched the ball no more than five times, making one pass.
Takumi Minamino: N/A
Introduced too late, helped see the game out.
