Post by deadbat on Sept 29, 2019 12:18:02 GMT
Report below…..and brief Podcast review here too
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soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-liverpool-home
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The Blades suffered their third straight league defeat at the Lane as they were beaten by the European Champions, Liverpool. United lost 1-0 at home again but the performance was on the whole a very good one and the Blades made the European Champions really sweat before they took the victory. The goal came from a goalkeeping howler from Dean Henderson which was Liverpool’s first shot on target on the 70th minute. Moments earlier John Fleck had a glorious chance to give the home side the lead. Before this Liverpool had spurned chances including hitting the post juts before half time but United had been well in the game. Even after the goal United had a chance to level with Leon Clarke firing over with a great chance. Manager Wilder critiqued the performance saying he was not happy with a ‘played well, hard luck story’ as that yields no points but when he reflects, he will realise his side might have given Jurgen Klopp’s side their toughest game of the season so far.
The lunchtime kick off saw heavy rain around the stadium as the fans poured into an expectant Bramall Lane. United named an unchanged side from the one that won at Goodison Park last week with David McGoldrick still not fit and Billy Sharp suspended. There was a surprise inclusion on the bench for veteran striker Leon Clarke – a player that seemed to have no future at the Lane. Besic was also back in the match day squad. Liverpool started with all their big guns including the powerful front trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino. The bench was packed with star studded international players.
The excitement was palpable as the teams came out and there was a real buzz in the stadium as United fans got to see a game, they never thought possible three or four years ago.
Liverpool began by having all the possession and United had to stay focused in the opening moments but the first chance came to the home side as McBurnie broke out and went inside Matic and hit a shot that was pouched by Adrian. Liverpool then had a further spell of possession and Basham and Egan got vital interceptions. United were starting to forge attacks of their own and after initially going too long were now knocking the ball around well with Stevens winning a corner after good work by Robinson. Liverpool continued to probe but United were well organised and kept an excellent shape. They were steadily growing in confidence and a lovely move saw Fleck play in Robinson whose shot flashed past Adrian’s post.
Basham made a good interception before Mane and Salah nearly combined. Liverpool moved it around well but United were getting across and covering for each other but a mistake by Stevens saw Salah get in but he shot wide. United came out and attacked again with another nice move leading to McBurnie playing in Baldock but when the ball came across Lundstram’s shot was blocked.
Liverpool’s best chance came from a long punt forward from Van Dijk and United’s defence let the ball bounce and Mane was in but he sliced horrible over with just Henderson to beat. Robertson then fired wide before Liverpool had another great chance. Indecision saw Fleck and Stevens turn over possession and appeals for offside featured in the build up but the ball was transferred across and Sane looked set to score. His effort hit the base of the post and United managed to block the rebound to cheers from the crowd. The half time whistle went not long after this and United could celebrate holding their own against such a powerful side.
The second half saw United get in a good area and Fleck’s low cross was intercepted from Van Dijk leading to a corner that was eventually cleared. Another corner saw McBurnie head over with Adrian flapping before Liverpool went the other way and O’Connell had to nip in to stop the chance for Firmino. The two full backs Robertson and Alexander Arnold were getting forward really well and the latter had a free kick opportunity after the ref brought play back for an earlier foul. The set play was hit well over the bar. O’Connell was booked for timewasting as he knocked the ball away but United were not hanging on and indeed were giving as good as they got.
Mousset came on for Robinson for United before Origi replaced Henderson a few minutes after as Liverpool sought more attacking impetus as the game entered the final half hour. United were still well in the game and Mousset’s pace set up a chance for Norwood whose shot was pushed around the post from Adrian. Soon after United had a great chance to take the lead as an overload saw Fleck in on goal and after jinking inside, he shot at goal but it was blocked and McBurnie and Lundstram could not get shots on target in the melee that ensued.
This miss was to prove costly as Liverpool broke out and Origin sent a cross over that was headed out towards WIJNALDUM who hit a fierce drive but it should have been comfortable for Henderson but the keeper somehow let the ball go through his body and legs and it trickled over the line.
United were rocked by this and lost their composure for a brief spell and Henderson had to save from Sane and then after a loose ball deflected through, Salah was in on goal but the keeper stood up and saved with his feet. This kept United in the game.
Clarke came on for Norwood as United went to four at the back. The big striker had a golden chance when the excellent Fleck sent over a lovely ball and Clarke could only knock it over the bar. It would have been tight on VAR if the ball had gone in but he really should have scored. Adrian was booked for timewasting and Liverpool brought on Milner and Oxlade Chamberlain for Firmino and Made, showing that they were just wanting to hang onto what they had. United knocked the ball forward as the game went into four minutes of additional time but Liverpool stood firm with Van Dijk and Matip heading balls away as they had all day. United could not fashion another chance and the final whistle went. The home fans saluted a commendable effort and Jurgen Klopp shook every United player’s hand as they left the pitch, signifying what a gutsy effort they had put in. A disappointing result but a valiant performance that yield much hope for the remainder of the season.
United – I thought we were great. Every player tried hard and matched their more illustrious opponents. We kept a solid shape and played when we could. The team fought hard from the start to the end and had opportunities. We looked a side that was not afraid and showed how far we have come. We were right in the game throughout and went toe to toe with the European Champions. They never got away from us and we matched them for long periods. It is just such a shame that the goal came not from individual brilliant but from goalkeeping error. We are defending well this season and individually and collectively we are fine but at times we just make mistakes. I saw a stat that we have made more mistakes that has led to goals. We have to be switched on at all time and Wilder is right. It is ruthless at this level. We need to make sure we take advantage of opportunities at one end and stop making them that lead to goals at the other. Sadly, as well as we have played this season – never been dominated and held our own in every game, we need to get this side right or for all the good play, we will struggle to stay up. That’s the negatives out of the way. There are so many positives from the game. The wing backs were great, the centre backs limited the best front trio maybe in the world and the midfield got their foot in and played when they could. The front two tried hard but it was tough versus two great centre backs.
We did make some mistake and they had chances from them (Salah curled wide, Mane hit over and then they hit the post – all from individual mistakes) and then 2nd half the goal and another one when Salah got clear after we gave it away. However, Henderson maybe only had 2 or 3 saves to make all game. As many as Adrian really. We probably had as many chances as them if not as clear cut. They had 70% possession but it did not feel like they penetrated much and I thought we were disciplined and organised but not too defensive. Sure, we sat in and had to stay in a shape where we got men behind the ball but we broke well and as the game went on, we used it better, was calmer in possession and found openings.
We started slowly but then had the first chance and gradually came back into the game. We started to play some good stuff and it was a proper contest. After we had a few let offs at the end of the first half, we came out and had a good spell second half and Fleck had that good chance. The goal was a total howler. We looked a bit shell shocked and it was a shame we could not get the game to 75-80 minutes as after this we went a bit flat but then came again after the Salah miss, we had a few more opening and the big Clarke miss.
It is a real shame we did not get anything from the game as on another day we would have got at least a point and maybe we deserved it for the efforts we put in but we have to move on now. We need to keep the same level of performance for Watford next week and the games after that. The key is to cut out the mistakes and take the chances when they come. If we can do that, we will be fine. We have been quite comfortable at this level so far and I am not sure a see a side that is going to get ripped apart every week – we look a solid, organised side that plays when it can. We just need those small margins at the two ends of the field.
Ratings:
Henderson 4/10 – He made a couple in big games (Villa, Leeds) last season and today in our biggest of the season, he makes an absolute rick. It was abysmal and sadly the defeat is on him. He can point to his chest and say his fault as he did at full time but Wilder is right, if he wants to go on and be the best as he professes, he has to do better. He has made a few this season (Chelsea away) already that have cost us. Yes, he has made saves that have won us games and points last season but he will be disappointed with his start to this season. He made one great save from Salah after this of course but the damage was done. His kicking remains abysmal as he barely gets half way or kicks it out.
Baldock 7.5/10 – One of the revelations of the season. He has been superb getting up and down, defending well, looking quick and athletic. He had to defend more today but second half he started to attack more and showed his determination on a number of occasions. Did not see too much of Robertson or Mane really on that side and he takes a large amount of credit to that.
Stevens 8/10 – As above – he has been excellent. He made one mistake nearly letting Salah in when nobody communicated but after this he really did improve and was excellent with and without the ball. So many of our good moves came from his runs, skill and link play. He continued this second half and was often charging forward even when at 0-0. He has taken his game up another level again since promotion.
Basham 6.5/10 – This mark may seem harsh and he played ok but at times today I felt you saw Bash’s deficiencies. He did make some good tackles and blocks but he also gave it away several times. Twice in the first half he lost it and they nearly got in and he did the same second half. He needs to sharpen up in terms of moving the ball on quicker and to our players. Kept plugging away and ended up in midfield. It was all action stuff and commitment but not much in the way of end product. He tried so hard and did make some good interceptions also.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Thought he was excellent. A few sloppy mistakes early on but then he came onto the ball, kept tight to his men and stopped them having many chances at all. He defended with intelligence and also aggression. The front two were kept relatively quiet and he was able to just concentrate and stop them turning us or running at us. Silly booking.
Egan 7.5/10 – Same as JOC. He played with determination and was resolute. He helped us keep our shape and was able to ensure we did not drop too deep either. A few headers and tackles summed up how he plays including one when he slipped and dived in with his head on the floor!
Norwood 7.5/10 – Decent performance. He managed to get his foot in and win quite a few tackles today and I also thought that after going long a bit early, he settled down and started to play it more sensibly. He showed his range of passing and even though he gave it away a few times, he still was always looking to get it down and play. Had one good shot saved before he was sacrificed near the end as we went for it. The only negative was the fact that his corners were not great.
Lundstram 7/10 – Steady game. He was quieter than he has been but decent in possession, got about the pitch and stopped them penetrating through the middle of the field. He was able to get on the ball more second half and helped us have more of the ball than we had in the first half. He looks fitter than he ever has been and to see him go against three international midfielders and be more than comfortable was great to see.
Fleck 8/10 – United’s best player. He was ok first half and did a disciplined job without having too much of the ball but then second half he was superb. He got on it, drove us forward and most if not all of our chances came from him. Maybe should have scored with the good chance when he came back onto his weaker foot – he should have hit it with his left earlier. Two or three superb crosses that nearly got us in, including the Clarke chance. Has set his standards and needs to keep to them.
Robinson 7/10 – I thought he worked hard today and had to do a job for the team being a defensive type striker for long periods. What I mean by that is he had to cover and track and keep a shape for the team. He had a few half chances with one shot hit wide – a decent effort and a header off target. Not sure he has the pace we thought he had but has shown promise. He just needs to be more consistent.
McBurnie 7/10 – Like Robinson it was tough versus two giant centre backs but he never stopped and won a few headers, flicks ons and had a few half chances (shot first half and header second half). He was able to keep chasing defenders but most of his good work was away from goal. The ball did come off him twice in the build up to the goal but that is being ultra-critical. Hoping he will play closer to the goal in the coming weeks.
Subs –
Mousset – Came on and straight away stretched the Liverpool defence with his pace with a run that led to the Norwood chance. He had another run that won a corner and he looked lively. After they scored, we went long more as we needed to try and get a knock down or chance but he again showed he can be a real asset. Will he get a start soon? I think I would not be averse to him playing next week as we will need pace on the break but the sub role is kind of working for him at the moment.
Clarke – Clarke (34y 230d) is the oldest Englishman to make his PL debut since Chris Lucketti (35y 107d), also for Sheffield United against Portsmouth in January 2007. What a story for him. He seemed out of the club but the injury and suspension means he goes up to 4th in the pecking order of the 6th strikers. He put himself about and then had that great chance near the end where he may have been just offside but needs to score – he was on the stretch and under pressure but he has to put that away.
Manager Wilder 8/10 – We set up really well with a good organised defence, the midfield pressing and the strikers pressing at the right time. We were organised and then when we got it, we played when we could. We funnelled them into the right areas and they did not break through us much at all. The chances they had came from a mistake or two punts forward. We played a very well thought out and committed game. The subs were fine as we tried to create more and he had to change the formation at the end to give us maximum chance of getting a leveller. I saw a quote which I liked which summed him and us up. We have the old-fashioned old school organisational play which restricts chances but also quite flexible and proactive with the ball. We are fusing both aspects well. We just need to cut out the errors and be more ruthless in an attacking sense.
Liverpool – They may not have been at their best but credit us to that. It was not like they had a European game or anything in the week and we gave them a really good game. The three main strikers showed flashes but none pulled us apart. They knocked it about well but actually the midfield three did not penetrate much and the full backs were not as forward as they normally are. Sure, they missed a few chances – the two at the end of the first half stand out but the first shot on target was not until they scored and outside of this which was not a great shot and the Salah chance, we had as many chances really on goal.
Liverpool are packed full of superb players and the movement, pace and skill of the front three is frightening. We saw glimpses today but they were not at the level that they normally are. I thought the wing backs pace was evidence but we kept them checked also.
They will be glad to get out of the Lane just with the win, as they were not at their best and needed a bit of luck to get over the line. City have dropped points already and Liverpool will feel they have a great chance to win the league finally but I do have concerns they don’t quite have the same depth as City – I feel that if they lost a Van Dijk or Mane/Salah for a period they would not be quite the same team. The subs are more of a drop off than City’s. Still they are a phenomenal team and Klopp I love. He is eccentric as hell but he seems a great guy and it was interesting to see him watching United train before the game, stood on half way for ages! He also was very sporting at the end.
Opponent Man of the Match – Van Dijk. He was immense. McBurnie did not play bad and tried hard but he often swatted our players away like flies. He is big, strong, quick and skilled. He plays the game at his own pace and makes it so easy. I also thought Matip was very good too and is quite underrated and will be tough for Gomez to get back in. Mane is the one that worries me the other way and showed some great skill but he was not quite at it today. Wijnaldum and Fabinho are steady midfielders but neither really have the dynamism I feel to get ahead of the strikers but then maybe they don’t need to do that!
Opponent Weak link – I thought that Salah was poor today! He is quite lazy but that is his style and comes alive when he needs to but he missed two chances today. However, Henderson was really poor. I thought that he looked slow and pedestrian and also looked for cheap fouls. I suppose you need players like him and Milner but Henderson stood out as technically the major weak link in the side, at least on what I saw on the game today.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Anthony Taylor is one of those robotic types that seems to just go with whatever the rulebook tells him and sadly that means common sense going out of the window and lots of yellow and red cards (he has brandished the most in the top flight). I feared the worst, but today he was very good I felt and did not fall for some of the Liverpool theatrics. He kept waving things away when they hit the deck which I liked. He gave a few fouls when he fell for the falls but for the most part, he kept the game flowing and not sure any calls were that controversial. He was not helped by his assistants who missed the ball going out twice – once so blatantly for a corner when Adrian went to try and keep it in. Be interesting to see if Clarke’s had gone in – he looked a smidgeon offside but the same assistant had not kept up with play all half so no surprise he was nowhere near in line here.
Crowd/Atmosphere etc – A great atmosphere at a pretty much sold out Bramall Lane (only a few restricted view seats spare). The old place was rocking before the game and continued into the game. The Greasy Chip Butty was as loud as it has been for some time. As the game went on, the fans cheered every miss, every tackle and every time we attacked. It was a really supportive environment. Gutted we did not score as the whole ground would have surely erupted. Liverpool fans were very quiet and you barely heard them till the chant about ‘European Champions, you’ll never sing that!’ United’s riposte of ‘League One Champions, you’ll never sing that!’ To their credit, the Liverpool fans applauded this amusing reply!
The noise levels were good throughout and it had a real great feeling to everything about the day till that sickener of a goal flattened most of the ground. The only knock for me was the amount of people coming in late or going to half time early and even leaving early! We have waited all this time for games like this but getting a pie or a pint or getting away early seems to be more of a focus for some. Cannot change people but just find it odd.
It is concerning we have lost 3 games in a row though when the Lane was supposed to be where we would get most of our points – the first time since 1990 to lose three straight at the Lane at this level. However, if we keep the performances going and the crowd stays with it, surely, we can turn this form and results around. Hoping it is a similar level when we face Arsenal in a few weeks in what should be another cracking atmosphere.
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The Blades suffered their third straight league defeat at the Lane as they were beaten by the European Champions, Liverpool. United lost 1-0 at home again but the performance was on the whole a very good one and the Blades made the European Champions really sweat before they took the victory. The goal came from a goalkeeping howler from Dean Henderson which was Liverpool’s first shot on target on the 70th minute. Moments earlier John Fleck had a glorious chance to give the home side the lead. Before this Liverpool had spurned chances including hitting the post juts before half time but United had been well in the game. Even after the goal United had a chance to level with Leon Clarke firing over with a great chance. Manager Wilder critiqued the performance saying he was not happy with a ‘played well, hard luck story’ as that yields no points but when he reflects, he will realise his side might have given Jurgen Klopp’s side their toughest game of the season so far.
The lunchtime kick off saw heavy rain around the stadium as the fans poured into an expectant Bramall Lane. United named an unchanged side from the one that won at Goodison Park last week with David McGoldrick still not fit and Billy Sharp suspended. There was a surprise inclusion on the bench for veteran striker Leon Clarke – a player that seemed to have no future at the Lane. Besic was also back in the match day squad. Liverpool started with all their big guns including the powerful front trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino. The bench was packed with star studded international players.
The excitement was palpable as the teams came out and there was a real buzz in the stadium as United fans got to see a game, they never thought possible three or four years ago.
Liverpool began by having all the possession and United had to stay focused in the opening moments but the first chance came to the home side as McBurnie broke out and went inside Matic and hit a shot that was pouched by Adrian. Liverpool then had a further spell of possession and Basham and Egan got vital interceptions. United were starting to forge attacks of their own and after initially going too long were now knocking the ball around well with Stevens winning a corner after good work by Robinson. Liverpool continued to probe but United were well organised and kept an excellent shape. They were steadily growing in confidence and a lovely move saw Fleck play in Robinson whose shot flashed past Adrian’s post.
Basham made a good interception before Mane and Salah nearly combined. Liverpool moved it around well but United were getting across and covering for each other but a mistake by Stevens saw Salah get in but he shot wide. United came out and attacked again with another nice move leading to McBurnie playing in Baldock but when the ball came across Lundstram’s shot was blocked.
Liverpool’s best chance came from a long punt forward from Van Dijk and United’s defence let the ball bounce and Mane was in but he sliced horrible over with just Henderson to beat. Robertson then fired wide before Liverpool had another great chance. Indecision saw Fleck and Stevens turn over possession and appeals for offside featured in the build up but the ball was transferred across and Sane looked set to score. His effort hit the base of the post and United managed to block the rebound to cheers from the crowd. The half time whistle went not long after this and United could celebrate holding their own against such a powerful side.
The second half saw United get in a good area and Fleck’s low cross was intercepted from Van Dijk leading to a corner that was eventually cleared. Another corner saw McBurnie head over with Adrian flapping before Liverpool went the other way and O’Connell had to nip in to stop the chance for Firmino. The two full backs Robertson and Alexander Arnold were getting forward really well and the latter had a free kick opportunity after the ref brought play back for an earlier foul. The set play was hit well over the bar. O’Connell was booked for timewasting as he knocked the ball away but United were not hanging on and indeed were giving as good as they got.
Mousset came on for Robinson for United before Origi replaced Henderson a few minutes after as Liverpool sought more attacking impetus as the game entered the final half hour. United were still well in the game and Mousset’s pace set up a chance for Norwood whose shot was pushed around the post from Adrian. Soon after United had a great chance to take the lead as an overload saw Fleck in on goal and after jinking inside, he shot at goal but it was blocked and McBurnie and Lundstram could not get shots on target in the melee that ensued.
This miss was to prove costly as Liverpool broke out and Origin sent a cross over that was headed out towards WIJNALDUM who hit a fierce drive but it should have been comfortable for Henderson but the keeper somehow let the ball go through his body and legs and it trickled over the line.
United were rocked by this and lost their composure for a brief spell and Henderson had to save from Sane and then after a loose ball deflected through, Salah was in on goal but the keeper stood up and saved with his feet. This kept United in the game.
Clarke came on for Norwood as United went to four at the back. The big striker had a golden chance when the excellent Fleck sent over a lovely ball and Clarke could only knock it over the bar. It would have been tight on VAR if the ball had gone in but he really should have scored. Adrian was booked for timewasting and Liverpool brought on Milner and Oxlade Chamberlain for Firmino and Made, showing that they were just wanting to hang onto what they had. United knocked the ball forward as the game went into four minutes of additional time but Liverpool stood firm with Van Dijk and Matip heading balls away as they had all day. United could not fashion another chance and the final whistle went. The home fans saluted a commendable effort and Jurgen Klopp shook every United player’s hand as they left the pitch, signifying what a gutsy effort they had put in. A disappointing result but a valiant performance that yield much hope for the remainder of the season.
United – I thought we were great. Every player tried hard and matched their more illustrious opponents. We kept a solid shape and played when we could. The team fought hard from the start to the end and had opportunities. We looked a side that was not afraid and showed how far we have come. We were right in the game throughout and went toe to toe with the European Champions. They never got away from us and we matched them for long periods. It is just such a shame that the goal came not from individual brilliant but from goalkeeping error. We are defending well this season and individually and collectively we are fine but at times we just make mistakes. I saw a stat that we have made more mistakes that has led to goals. We have to be switched on at all time and Wilder is right. It is ruthless at this level. We need to make sure we take advantage of opportunities at one end and stop making them that lead to goals at the other. Sadly, as well as we have played this season – never been dominated and held our own in every game, we need to get this side right or for all the good play, we will struggle to stay up. That’s the negatives out of the way. There are so many positives from the game. The wing backs were great, the centre backs limited the best front trio maybe in the world and the midfield got their foot in and played when they could. The front two tried hard but it was tough versus two great centre backs.
We did make some mistake and they had chances from them (Salah curled wide, Mane hit over and then they hit the post – all from individual mistakes) and then 2nd half the goal and another one when Salah got clear after we gave it away. However, Henderson maybe only had 2 or 3 saves to make all game. As many as Adrian really. We probably had as many chances as them if not as clear cut. They had 70% possession but it did not feel like they penetrated much and I thought we were disciplined and organised but not too defensive. Sure, we sat in and had to stay in a shape where we got men behind the ball but we broke well and as the game went on, we used it better, was calmer in possession and found openings.
We started slowly but then had the first chance and gradually came back into the game. We started to play some good stuff and it was a proper contest. After we had a few let offs at the end of the first half, we came out and had a good spell second half and Fleck had that good chance. The goal was a total howler. We looked a bit shell shocked and it was a shame we could not get the game to 75-80 minutes as after this we went a bit flat but then came again after the Salah miss, we had a few more opening and the big Clarke miss.
It is a real shame we did not get anything from the game as on another day we would have got at least a point and maybe we deserved it for the efforts we put in but we have to move on now. We need to keep the same level of performance for Watford next week and the games after that. The key is to cut out the mistakes and take the chances when they come. If we can do that, we will be fine. We have been quite comfortable at this level so far and I am not sure a see a side that is going to get ripped apart every week – we look a solid, organised side that plays when it can. We just need those small margins at the two ends of the field.
Ratings:
Henderson 4/10 – He made a couple in big games (Villa, Leeds) last season and today in our biggest of the season, he makes an absolute rick. It was abysmal and sadly the defeat is on him. He can point to his chest and say his fault as he did at full time but Wilder is right, if he wants to go on and be the best as he professes, he has to do better. He has made a few this season (Chelsea away) already that have cost us. Yes, he has made saves that have won us games and points last season but he will be disappointed with his start to this season. He made one great save from Salah after this of course but the damage was done. His kicking remains abysmal as he barely gets half way or kicks it out.
Baldock 7.5/10 – One of the revelations of the season. He has been superb getting up and down, defending well, looking quick and athletic. He had to defend more today but second half he started to attack more and showed his determination on a number of occasions. Did not see too much of Robertson or Mane really on that side and he takes a large amount of credit to that.
Stevens 8/10 – As above – he has been excellent. He made one mistake nearly letting Salah in when nobody communicated but after this he really did improve and was excellent with and without the ball. So many of our good moves came from his runs, skill and link play. He continued this second half and was often charging forward even when at 0-0. He has taken his game up another level again since promotion.
Basham 6.5/10 – This mark may seem harsh and he played ok but at times today I felt you saw Bash’s deficiencies. He did make some good tackles and blocks but he also gave it away several times. Twice in the first half he lost it and they nearly got in and he did the same second half. He needs to sharpen up in terms of moving the ball on quicker and to our players. Kept plugging away and ended up in midfield. It was all action stuff and commitment but not much in the way of end product. He tried so hard and did make some good interceptions also.
O’Connell 7.5/10 – Thought he was excellent. A few sloppy mistakes early on but then he came onto the ball, kept tight to his men and stopped them having many chances at all. He defended with intelligence and also aggression. The front two were kept relatively quiet and he was able to just concentrate and stop them turning us or running at us. Silly booking.
Egan 7.5/10 – Same as JOC. He played with determination and was resolute. He helped us keep our shape and was able to ensure we did not drop too deep either. A few headers and tackles summed up how he plays including one when he slipped and dived in with his head on the floor!
Norwood 7.5/10 – Decent performance. He managed to get his foot in and win quite a few tackles today and I also thought that after going long a bit early, he settled down and started to play it more sensibly. He showed his range of passing and even though he gave it away a few times, he still was always looking to get it down and play. Had one good shot saved before he was sacrificed near the end as we went for it. The only negative was the fact that his corners were not great.
Lundstram 7/10 – Steady game. He was quieter than he has been but decent in possession, got about the pitch and stopped them penetrating through the middle of the field. He was able to get on the ball more second half and helped us have more of the ball than we had in the first half. He looks fitter than he ever has been and to see him go against three international midfielders and be more than comfortable was great to see.
Fleck 8/10 – United’s best player. He was ok first half and did a disciplined job without having too much of the ball but then second half he was superb. He got on it, drove us forward and most if not all of our chances came from him. Maybe should have scored with the good chance when he came back onto his weaker foot – he should have hit it with his left earlier. Two or three superb crosses that nearly got us in, including the Clarke chance. Has set his standards and needs to keep to them.
Robinson 7/10 – I thought he worked hard today and had to do a job for the team being a defensive type striker for long periods. What I mean by that is he had to cover and track and keep a shape for the team. He had a few half chances with one shot hit wide – a decent effort and a header off target. Not sure he has the pace we thought he had but has shown promise. He just needs to be more consistent.
McBurnie 7/10 – Like Robinson it was tough versus two giant centre backs but he never stopped and won a few headers, flicks ons and had a few half chances (shot first half and header second half). He was able to keep chasing defenders but most of his good work was away from goal. The ball did come off him twice in the build up to the goal but that is being ultra-critical. Hoping he will play closer to the goal in the coming weeks.
Subs –
Mousset – Came on and straight away stretched the Liverpool defence with his pace with a run that led to the Norwood chance. He had another run that won a corner and he looked lively. After they scored, we went long more as we needed to try and get a knock down or chance but he again showed he can be a real asset. Will he get a start soon? I think I would not be averse to him playing next week as we will need pace on the break but the sub role is kind of working for him at the moment.
Clarke – Clarke (34y 230d) is the oldest Englishman to make his PL debut since Chris Lucketti (35y 107d), also for Sheffield United against Portsmouth in January 2007. What a story for him. He seemed out of the club but the injury and suspension means he goes up to 4th in the pecking order of the 6th strikers. He put himself about and then had that great chance near the end where he may have been just offside but needs to score – he was on the stretch and under pressure but he has to put that away.
Manager Wilder 8/10 – We set up really well with a good organised defence, the midfield pressing and the strikers pressing at the right time. We were organised and then when we got it, we played when we could. We funnelled them into the right areas and they did not break through us much at all. The chances they had came from a mistake or two punts forward. We played a very well thought out and committed game. The subs were fine as we tried to create more and he had to change the formation at the end to give us maximum chance of getting a leveller. I saw a quote which I liked which summed him and us up. We have the old-fashioned old school organisational play which restricts chances but also quite flexible and proactive with the ball. We are fusing both aspects well. We just need to cut out the errors and be more ruthless in an attacking sense.
Liverpool – They may not have been at their best but credit us to that. It was not like they had a European game or anything in the week and we gave them a really good game. The three main strikers showed flashes but none pulled us apart. They knocked it about well but actually the midfield three did not penetrate much and the full backs were not as forward as they normally are. Sure, they missed a few chances – the two at the end of the first half stand out but the first shot on target was not until they scored and outside of this which was not a great shot and the Salah chance, we had as many chances really on goal.
Liverpool are packed full of superb players and the movement, pace and skill of the front three is frightening. We saw glimpses today but they were not at the level that they normally are. I thought the wing backs pace was evidence but we kept them checked also.
They will be glad to get out of the Lane just with the win, as they were not at their best and needed a bit of luck to get over the line. City have dropped points already and Liverpool will feel they have a great chance to win the league finally but I do have concerns they don’t quite have the same depth as City – I feel that if they lost a Van Dijk or Mane/Salah for a period they would not be quite the same team. The subs are more of a drop off than City’s. Still they are a phenomenal team and Klopp I love. He is eccentric as hell but he seems a great guy and it was interesting to see him watching United train before the game, stood on half way for ages! He also was very sporting at the end.
Opponent Man of the Match – Van Dijk. He was immense. McBurnie did not play bad and tried hard but he often swatted our players away like flies. He is big, strong, quick and skilled. He plays the game at his own pace and makes it so easy. I also thought Matip was very good too and is quite underrated and will be tough for Gomez to get back in. Mane is the one that worries me the other way and showed some great skill but he was not quite at it today. Wijnaldum and Fabinho are steady midfielders but neither really have the dynamism I feel to get ahead of the strikers but then maybe they don’t need to do that!
Opponent Weak link – I thought that Salah was poor today! He is quite lazy but that is his style and comes alive when he needs to but he missed two chances today. However, Henderson was really poor. I thought that he looked slow and pedestrian and also looked for cheap fouls. I suppose you need players like him and Milner but Henderson stood out as technically the major weak link in the side, at least on what I saw on the game today.
Referee/Officials/VAR – Anthony Taylor is one of those robotic types that seems to just go with whatever the rulebook tells him and sadly that means common sense going out of the window and lots of yellow and red cards (he has brandished the most in the top flight). I feared the worst, but today he was very good I felt and did not fall for some of the Liverpool theatrics. He kept waving things away when they hit the deck which I liked. He gave a few fouls when he fell for the falls but for the most part, he kept the game flowing and not sure any calls were that controversial. He was not helped by his assistants who missed the ball going out twice – once so blatantly for a corner when Adrian went to try and keep it in. Be interesting to see if Clarke’s had gone in – he looked a smidgeon offside but the same assistant had not kept up with play all half so no surprise he was nowhere near in line here.
Crowd/Atmosphere etc – A great atmosphere at a pretty much sold out Bramall Lane (only a few restricted view seats spare). The old place was rocking before the game and continued into the game. The Greasy Chip Butty was as loud as it has been for some time. As the game went on, the fans cheered every miss, every tackle and every time we attacked. It was a really supportive environment. Gutted we did not score as the whole ground would have surely erupted. Liverpool fans were very quiet and you barely heard them till the chant about ‘European Champions, you’ll never sing that!’ United’s riposte of ‘League One Champions, you’ll never sing that!’ To their credit, the Liverpool fans applauded this amusing reply!
The noise levels were good throughout and it had a real great feeling to everything about the day till that sickener of a goal flattened most of the ground. The only knock for me was the amount of people coming in late or going to half time early and even leaving early! We have waited all this time for games like this but getting a pie or a pint or getting away early seems to be more of a focus for some. Cannot change people but just find it odd.
It is concerning we have lost 3 games in a row though when the Lane was supposed to be where we would get most of our points – the first time since 1990 to lose three straight at the Lane at this level. However, if we keep the performances going and the crowd stays with it, surely, we can turn this form and results around. Hoping it is a similar level when we face Arsenal in a few weeks in what should be another cracking atmosphere.
