Liverpool shrugged off Sheffield United 2-0 in a consummately professional performance at Anfield on Thursday night, maintaining their unbeaten record this season.
The Blades have been a thorn in the side of every top side this season, including the Reds, when they squared off in September at Bramall Lane.
Since then, Liverpool have becoming a winning machine, and while they won ugly earlier in the campaign, this time they suffocated their opponents.
It took just four minutes for Jurgen Klopp’s side to take the lead.
A Virgil van Dijk pass over the top sent Andy Robertson surging down the left flank and the Scot fizzed a low cross into the path of Mohamed Salah, who steered home a clinical finish.
The timing and nature of the goal showed United what was in store.
The visitors tried to respond and grabbed the briefest glimpse before Liverpool shifted into cruise control.
The Reds imposed themselves on Chris Wilder’s team without too much toil and the visitors barely got a sniff.
Just after the hour mark, Liverpool ensured the match was out of reach when Salah set up Sadio Mane for the second goal.
The Egyptian cleverly slid the ball through to the on-rushing Senegalese, carving the Blades open in front of the Kop, and it effectively ended the game as a contest.
Here are four findings from the match…
