Sheffield United vs Liverpool - The reds grind out their 7th win of the season.

This was a tricky away game for the reds but they managed to pull through with a goalkeeping blunder from Dean Henderson after he couldn't get hold of Gini Wijnaldum volley and fell through his legs into the back of the net. Sheffield United did themselves very proud, nullifying the reds front three was the majority of the game and limiting the forward play of Liverpool's fullbacks which is one of the main assets. They really made it hard for the travelling reds and are really going to trouble travelling teams throughout this season.

The reds were far from their best, really struggling with Sheffield's tight structure and compact back line, they failed to make any real chances until Virgil Van Dijk's long range pass over the blades back four which fell to mane but the Senegal international scuffed the shot and didn't even make the keeper work. The only other big chance for the reds came from a fast counter attack in the 42nd minute when Firmino tee'd up mane at the back post for what seemed like a sure goal but Mane again failed to punish the blades and dragged his shot onto the post, it was safe to say that Mane or the entire front three did not bring their shooting boots to Bramall Lane.

This is not to say that the Blades did not cause Liverpool problems either as they would feel a little aggrieved that they didn't get on the score sheet either in this battle, they had a number of chances that on a better day could of found their way into the back of the net. The best chance of the game for the Blades fell to John Fleck in the second half, game still at 0-0, fleck found himself driving in the reds box with only Van Dijk to beat with Fabinho on his tail and he cut back selling Fabinho, with his shot looming Robertson suddenly came into the picture putting his body on the line and managed to block Flecks shot, with Van Dijk on hand to stop Lundstram's rebound shot and clear the danger. Without Robertson making that block this game could of been quite different. The blades also had chances which fell to Mcburnie, Norwood and Robinson but none managed to beat Adrian, who put in another splendid shift for the reds.

It was deep into the second half on the 70th minute that Liverpool managed to break the deadlock, when Dean Henderson fluffed Wijinaldum's volley, leading the ball dribbling into the net, a real howler from the young Keeper. Another great chance fell to Salah to kill the game off when Lundstrums wayward pass back to his Centre back Egan, was latched onto by Salah and the Egyptian was through in on goal but he couldn't direct it pass Henderson and the young keeper made a good save to keep out Salah and keep Sheffield in the game. However, it was not all plain sailing from here for the reds, as the Blades continued to pile of the pressure looking for an equaliser, with a great chance falling to clarke when Fleck puts a teasing ball into the box but Clarke on the stretch, couldn't help but send it over the keeper and over the bar. For all their hard work it wasn't to be Sheffield's day as the reds managed to hold off all the pressure and see their winning streak continue and accumulate 21 points from 21.

We should take nothing away from Sheffield united here, they fought tooth and nail and were very unlucky to come away with nothing to show for it. The game could easily of been a draw and in-hindsight that would be nothing less than what the Blades deserved. This will be a very hard place to go for the rest of the Premier league and i fully expect Sheffield United to continue their good start to life in the Premier league. .

For me the man of the match was Virgil Van Dijk, he was a colossus in the defence today, always being in the right place at the right time, making blocks, interceptions and even creating chances for the front three, was really an all round show for the Dutch centre back and the reds would of surely conceded without his defensive contributions at the back today. Another man of note today was the Blades John Fleck who i thought had a great game, he was tidy on the ball, caused the defence a lot of problems and if it wasn't for Robertson's superb block, he could of easily taken the lead for Sheffield and completely changed the game.

A lucky day you could say for Liverpool, not at their free flowing best but a real show of title challenging grit and determination to find a way to get the three points. It's a long old season but the reds are putting themselves in a great position for the rest of the season.