Liverpool needed a stroke of luck to continue their perfect start to the Premier League season as a Dean Henderson error ensured a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
A drab first half saw chances come few and far between, but Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty early in the second half when John Lundstram brought Sadio Mane down inside the Sheffield United box, only to see VAR inexplicably not intervening. As the minutes started counting down, it looked as if Sheffield United might even produce a shock result.
But, it was Liverpool who broke the deadlock, thank to a mistake by Dean Henderson, who spilled a shot by Georginio Wijnaldum. That goal was enough to hand Liverpool a seventh consecutive win at the start of the season and Liverpool fans poked fun at Henderson and Manchester United in the aftermath of the game.
Absolutely massive 3pts. Hard fought. Thank you very much Manchester United fan & self confessed Liverpool hater, Dean Henderson x
— Spion Kop (@TheKopHQ) September 28, 2019
Thank you @manutd for loaning out Henderson.
Sincerely, all Liverpool fans.
— Robin (@Robish13) September 28, 2019
Henderson the match winner for Liverpool. ?
— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) September 28, 2019
United fans were gassing up Henderson for time as well omg.
— Ruben (@ucIwinners) September 28, 2019
Virgil van DIjk was the calmest man on the pitch when Sheffield United were piling on the pressure on Liverpool and the fans hailed the star defender for a job well done.
Van Dijk exceptional yet again. Always in the right place at the right time.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 28, 2019
Van Dijk MOTM by a mile. Positioning was immaculate throughout. So many vital interceptions in dangerous situations.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) September 28, 2019
van Dijk with a monstrous performance yet not a peep on the timeline. I’m afraid he’s the greatest. People aren’t even shocked by it anymore. He’s simply the best there’s been.
— EBL (@EBL2017) September 28, 2019
everyone say thank you to Virgil van Dijk for choosing to play for Liverpool Football Club
— gini wijnaldum fc (@hussssiiii) September 28, 2019
The incredible standard he’s set himself makes it easy to gloss over some of his performances because they’re now the norm, but Van Dijk was brilliant once again for #LFC. Such an authoritative figure, commanding those around him and reading the danger so well.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) September 28, 2019
Breaking: Virgil van Dijk set to undergo spine surgery after breaking his back due to carrying the entire Liverpool team pic.twitter.com/EqGMzW6b8t
— gini wijnaldum fc (@hussssiiii) September 28, 2019
But, a major talking point was VAR, which failed to award Liverpool a penalty when Sadio Mane was tripped by John Lundstram.
What’s the point in VAR if we don’t use it correctly?
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) September 28, 2019
Adding that to the ever growing list of decisions that we’ve been robbed of this season. What an addition VAR has been
— Josh (@KloppStyle) September 28, 2019
Hey that’s a pretty legit penalty shout, want to watch it back on VAR?
Refs: pic.twitter.com/3H7VrCsHgC
— Rex (@ThatRexGuy) September 28, 2019
What is the purpose of VAR?
— #SixTimes (@kp_yannick95) September 28, 2019