Liverpool secured a crucial three points in their 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to end their losing streak and remain competitive in the fight for top four.
Curtis Jones netted early in the second half to start the scoring. Then a Kean Bryan own goal sealed the result.
The result ends the Reds four-game losing streak, and keeping them on the heels of Chelsea and West Ham.
Relegation battlers Sheffield United did not go down easy however, as they sought to upset the reigning champions.
As a result, both teams had promising efforts in the first half, despite heading into the tunnel scoreless after 45.
Adrian saves the day
Adrian made comfortable stops early on. He denied promising attacks from David McGoldrick in his search for goal, including a header from close range.
But it was the phenomenal stops from Sheffield’s own keeper, Aaron Ramsdale, that highlighted the first half.
He denied Roberto Firmino in a one on one, and quickly got back to his feet to knock over a long-range effort from Andy Robertson.
Liverpool had further efforts turned away by Ramsdale. Both Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold had shots of their own seen to by the young English shot stopper.
But it was the Blades who came closest in the first half, as a ball forward to McBurnie took a deflection off Ozan Kabak into the Liverpool net.
Goal ruled out for the Blades
Fortunately for Kabak, the linesman’s flag was up, preventing further embarrassment for the young centre half, in addition to what he suffered against Leicester two games prior.
Unfortunately for the Blades, their luck quickly dried up come the second half.
Just under five minutes from the restart, Trent Alexander-Arnold successfully struggled to keep the ball in play. Before his cross into the area was cleared only as far as fellow Liverpudlian Curtis Jones. He nonchalantly finished to open the scoring.
The Reds looked to capitalise on the sudden breakthrough moments later. Sadio Mane was played through, finishing past Ramsdale himself! Only for the offside rule to work in the home sides favour, denying a second for the Reds.
Game over
But while Mane was refused, the visitors were not phased. Firmino waltzed past the opposition defence before getting a shot off, which took a healthy deflection over Ramsdale to double their lead.
For some time it appeared Firmino had ended his goal drought of seven games without netting. Unfortunately the goal was instead assigned to defender Kean Bryan as an own goal.
Liverpool came close to adding another late on, as Andy Robertson played the ball across goal to Salah. It was his turn for a disappointing miss … as he failed to guide the ball into the goal from a tight angle.
Ultimately however, the Reds had already done enough to see out the game. And to end their four-game losing-streak.
Liverpool remains in sixth place after tonight, just one point behind Chelsea, and two behind West Ham.
A win over the Blues in their Thursday night clash at Anfield will give Liverpool the opportunity to move up the table. As well as close in on a spot in the top four once again.
As for Sheffield, their 21st loss of the season keeps them in 20th, five points below West Brom. They will face Aston Villa at home on Wednesday.
