Liverpool passed the Sheffield test for 16th straight Premier League win

An amazing start to Matchday 7 when Liverpool just about accomplished their seventh straight win of the season. Sheffield United made the men in red work hard for their three points.

A game with the points shared and goals scored by either team would have stood as a fair result. However, it took a lot of possession and battering by the Reds to make one chance count.

The Blades were surprisingly an equal match for the Premier League leaders but could not hand out the same fate they delivered to the Blues of Merseyside. Klopp’s side dug deep to get a result from the gruelling battle against Chris Wilder’s stubborn side.

Yet, the German made his own history again with his Liverpool team, becoming only the third side in EPL history to win the first seven games. Only Jose Mourinho with his 2005/06 Chelsea side and the Liverpool side of 1990/91 has reached the same milestone.

First half happenings

Liverpool went through the first half without a goal scored or shot on target in the first 45 minutes of the game. This is not to say the Reds did not have clear-cut chances. Sadio Mane missed a chance 1v1 against stopper, Dean Henderson. No need to repeat how poor he was with his effort at goal.

Before the break, the home side took shape as the better team on the pitch. The only problem, the lack of quality in front of goal to put away some well-worked moves. They exploited the space left by the visitors, in behind the fullback positions.

Even though Liverpool controlled the first 45 with all the possession (70%), the Blades kept Adrian the busiest of the two keepers. They were the only team to record a shot on target.

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Second half breakthrough

When the second half kicked off, promise for the home side was ripe. They did ever so well in their attempt to steal points from Klopp and repeat the curse of Bramall Lane. United kept the boys from Anfield scoreless for 70 minutes of the encounter.

A couple of changes in position and personnel from Jurgen was the key to three points falling into place. This is where 70% possession finally paid off and a goal came from the man who doesn’t like to score away from home, Georginio Wijnaldum. His goal was the difference and sealed the fate of the home side.

Sheffield came close to levelling the game in the embers of the second half but again, the finishing was not there to complete the job. The final opportunity epitomised the Blades quality in front of goal, or lack thereof. The final 15 minutes were the longest 15 for Liverpool, but they stood strong and accomplished their second clean sheet of the season.

Conclusion

Wilder’s men went into the clash with a game plan and stuck to it for the full 90 minutes. They fell just short of collecting a point but have many positives to take from this outing. The Blades drop down to 12th place in the Premier League table and await other determining results.

The Reds have opened the point gap to eight points, sitting quite comfortable at the summit of the table. Although, this is not the time to relax and take their foot off the gas. Each match played will be played like a World Cup final.

They’ve now also gone on to achieve their 16th straight win. Another two and they will equal the record of Man City’s 18 straight wins. A feat they attained while on their 100 point Premier League title run.

Every EPL club is trying to be the first team to give Liverpool a knock. Fortunately for Klopp, that day was not today. Their next fixture comes at Anfield in the shape of Leicester City. Sheffield travels to Vicarage Road for a clash against a struggling Watford side.