Liverpool ratings: Van Dijk, Szoboszlai star vs. Sheffield United

Liverpool maintained their momentum in the Premier League title race on Wednesday night by securing a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The home side had the first notable chance of the game when Joe Gomez surrendered possession before James McAtee saw his effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher. Sheffield United came close a second time after playing in front of the press, but Cameron Archer saw his shot blocked by Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool managed to take control of the game after those two moments and eventually took the lead when Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner found Virgil van Dijk in space to blast past Wes Foderingham.

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Mohamed Salah almost doubled the lead after the break with a volley in the same fashion, but this time the goalkeeper was equal to the shot. Substitute Darwin Núñez had the visitors' second-best chance after being found by Alexander-Arnold, but denied by Foderingham.

Liverpool were patient and defended well to prevent counter-attacks as the Blades rarely posed a threat, although the game was ultimately put out of reach late on when Darwin Nunez regained possession before finding Dominik Szoboszlai who finished with composure in the 95th minute.

Good points

Liverpool were a threat from set pieces and showed great patience in the face of a difficult defensive setup. It's also another three important points in the title race as they keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

Negative points

Liverpool started slowly and gave away two chances that could have been taken on another day.

Manager's note

7 — Jurgen Klopp was decisive with his substitutions, including the time he removed an underperforming Mohamed Salah, while also adding control to his midfield with the introductions of Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch.

Player Ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Caoimhin Kelleher, 7 years old — The Republic of Ireland international must have been sharp in the first half as he saved well from on-loan Manchester City midfielder James McAtee. He remained alert for the rest of the match, but had little to do until Sheffield United decided to attack in the final minutes.

DF Joe Gomez, 6 years old — Joe Gomez defended his flank well, but struggled to make a consistent impact in attacking areas on his weaker left foot. Gave the ball away for Sheffield United's best chance of the first half.

DF Virgil van Dijk, 8 years old — The Liverpool captain led by example with a number of excellent interventions, including one denying a shot inside the box from Cameron Archer, before scoring the opening goal with a well-taken effort from a corner.

DF Ibrahima Konaté, 7 years old — The 24-year-old got the ball out of defense well and helped maintain a solid structure in the backline. The French international star made plenty of inventions but was booked in the second half for a foul after hesitating on the ball before losing possession.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 8 years old – Some of his passes weren't quite up to expectations in the first half, but he collected the assist on the corner that found Van Dijk for the opener. He then returned to his best and was unlucky not to get a second assist after a complex pass to Darwin Nunez.

MF Wataru Endo, 7 years old — A strong performance from the Japan international saw Wataru Endo consistently break up play in the middle of the park, while he often made the right decision with his passes, impressing when he created an angle when receiving the ball in the half -turn before playing forward.

MF Alexis Mac Allister, 5 years old — A quiet first half saw him drift in and out of the game after suffering a big challenge early on, although he tested the goalkeeper with an impressive touch and volley which had to be tipped over the bar . Replaced by Curtis Jones just before the hour mark.

MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 8 years old — Dominik Szoboszlai was brilliant when he was on the ball in attacking areas, and there was a feeling that something could happen when he was on the ball. Played a complex pass to Salah in the first half that the Egypt international should have done better with. I made the right decision in defensive transitions. He then put the match out of reach with a goal in the 95th minute off a pass from Nunez.

FW Luis Díaz, 6 — The Liverpool left-winger drifted wide and was often in space to receive diagonal passes. On the ball he was difficult to recover and managed to cause fouls for Liverpool in promising areas.

FW Cody Gakpo, 6 years old — The Dutch international made some impressive runs to create space for his team, and also stood out with his pressing ability to help Liverpool quickly win the ball back after losing it. Moved to the left flank when Luis Diaz was removed.

FW Mohamed Salah, 5 years old — Mohamed Salah could have been more careful with his shots that evening as he seemed to rush his attempts in the first half. Unlucky not to score after a strong connection from a corner to force a solid save from Wes Foderingham. Replaced in the 67th minute by Harvey Elliott.

Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)

MF Curtis Jones (replaced Mac Allister 59″), 6 — He replaced Mac Allister near the hour mark and helped Liverpool control the game against a Sheffield United defensive setup.

FW Darwin Nunez (replaced Diaz, 67″), 7 — Darwin Nunez worked hard when he was introduced while running the Liverpool press. A clever move saw him latch onto Alexander-Arnold's pass, but he couldn't finish to beat the goalkeeper. Excellent work for Liverpool's second goal allowed Nunez to regain possession before picking out Dominik Szoboszlai.

MF Harvey Elliott (replaced Salah, 67″), 6 — I tried to shake things up once introduced. A long-range effort was blocked, although he provided an opening by finding Jones inside the box, but there were too many defenders around him to threaten the goal.

MF Ryan Gravenberch (replaced Gakpo, 86″), N/R — It was down to the final minutes as Liverpool looked to play out the remainder of the match.