Liverpool 2-0 Sheffield United (6 Dec, 2023) Game Analysis،
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk scored a first-half volley to put them on course for a 2-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United on Wednesday, giving new Blades boss Chris Wilder a losing start on his return to the club.
The victory takes second-placed Liverpool to 34 points, two behind leaders Arsenal, while Wilder faces an uphill battle after taking over Sheffield United on Tuesday as they remain bottom of the table on five points after 15 games.
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Yet despite the defeat, Wilder will be encouraged by the quality of his side's defense in a match where Liverpool enjoyed over 75% possession but created only a handful of decent efforts on goal.
Liverpool captain Van Dijk volleyed home his first goal of the season in the 37th minute as the home side's centrally focused defense left him completely unnoticed from a corner to deftly flick the ball home in the net.
The Dutch international expressed his relief at the final whistle as his side escaped with a victory thanks to a spirited performance from their hosts.
“Obviously you have to work in every game, especially against a team that has changed coaches. It was always a battle but we did well and deserved the three points,” Van Dijk said. “When you get a free opportunity like that, you have to finish it (and) I'm glad I did. It's an important goal, especially when you're trying to beat a low block.”
Although Cameron Archer and James McAtee provided plenty of pace for the hosts, they lacked the quality to trouble Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and the home side managed just one shot on target in the entire match .
Mohamed Salah forced a brilliant reflex save from Wes Foderingham with a volley from another corner early in the second half, and Juergen Klopp had another headache soon after when Alexis Mac Allister was sent off after s being injured in the knee.
Substitute Darwin Núñez missed a great chance to double the lead in the 77th minute by latching onto a superb through ball from Alexander-Arnold, but once again Foderingham came to the rescue.
The home goalkeeper looked to have kept his team in the game, but was eventually beaten again in second-half stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai was spotted on the other side of the box by Nunez, and he brought the ball home.
