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Liverpool followed up their away win at Ajax midweek with three points at home to Sheffield United last night.
The 2-1 victory over the Blades takes the Reds to second place in the Premier League at this stage.
It was a hard-fought win, with goals from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota who put those from Jurgen Klopp ahead after an early penalty for the visitors.
The VAR was once again controversial over the penalty incident, and Fabinho eventually fouled Oli McBurnie right on the edge of the box after what many thought was a solid but fair challenge.
The national media and other publications had a lot to say about the party.
Here’s a summary of the reaction …
‘VAR has created an inflammatory mess that delays emotions’
Chris Bascombe on the Telegraph: Never have the boundaries between those between the bottom three and those considered favorites for the title been so blurred. The champions were pushed to the limit by Sheffield United, Jurgen Klopp’s team victorious thanks to Diogo Jota’s second-half header, but cries of relief from the players and staff at full time underscored that it was a triumph for the team. strength.
Liverpool came from a goal against, overcame their notable absences and ensured that the controversial referee calls were not number one on the agenda for a consecutive weekend.
Until Roberto Firmino tied a controversial penalty decision, sent by Sander Berge after nine minutes, it seemed that another email exchange with chief referee Mike Riley was on the to-do list.
When fans can finally return to the football stadiums, the Premier League could also announce ‘video assistant controversy’ at the match entrance.
What an incendiary mess they have created, each game played amid the incessant fear that we cannot be sure what we are seeing. Now our emotions need a delay function.
[Fabinho] it was judged to have committed a foul against the striker within the area and not on its perimeter. The replay was inconclusive on two fronts, suggesting that the Brazilian got the ball anyway. The VAR seemed to consider that a trivial side when it ordered Mike Dean to point out the location. Berge accepted the invitation to beat Alisson Becker.‘Liverpool’s Anfield career continues despite distractions’
Andy Hunter for The Guardian: Despite the interventions that are leading Klopp to become distracted, his team extended their unbeaten streak at Anfield to a remarkable 62 league games.
The 9999th goal in club history means Liverpool can match their record of 63 unbeaten league games at home, set between 1978 and 1981, when West Ham visit next Saturday.
Klopp will seek to improve his team’s performance, this was more fierce and tenacious than skillful and elegant, but his focus and stamina were impeccable once again.
Jota’s winner, who came two minutes after Salah’s nullified volley, was the hallmark of a determined team.
Jota brought even more quality and adventure to Liverpool’s attack when Klopp made a rare formation change to 4-2-3-1 with the Portugal international on the right and Salah leading the line.
Jordan Henderson, in particular, enjoyed the additional options ahead of him, while Sadio Mané flourished as usual down the left.
‘Seeing is believing, as VAR dominates the conversation’
Melissa Reddy at The Independent: Seeing is believing, or so they told us. However, even with the benefit of technology (endless replays, all angles, freeze frames), we still can’t believe what we’re seeing.
It was yet another day in which what the VAR failed to detect, Harry Maguire’s head block on César Azpilicueta in Manchester United’s goalless draw with Chelsea, to which he did: a penalty when Fabinho tried to steal the ball Oliver McBurnie, not counted.
Andre Marriner was the man in the Stockley Park booth who made the second call after 12 minutes of play at Anfield, in which Liverpool beat Sheffield United 2-1.
Fabinho, positioned alongside Joe Gomez at center back again in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, slipped on the edge of the box to thwart McBurnie on possession.
He won the ball and hit part of the forward’s foot with referee Mike Dean believing it was a foul. Marriner reviewed the incident, but only checked whether he was in or out of the area, without judging the contact itself.
Dean pointed the spot, Sander Berge sent Alisson back the wrong way and United were 1-0 up with Liverpool completely losing direction until the final five minutes of the half.
‘The performances in the second half show that Liverpool solved the problems’
Neil Atkinson for Anfield Wrap: In the second half in particular, Joe Gomez is wonderful. He senses danger, sweeps along the defensive line, and can find a pass outside tight areas.
It has been a great week for Gomez. He’s gone from being knocked down, a nervous first 90 seconds against Ajax, to finishing Liverpool as Liverpool’s best player, a player who knows he can’t just beat McBurnie outright, but has to be quicker and smarter. He has a massive voice in the direction of the points.
It was a day for the Liverpool captain to play. We have this man and he is an asset. The shapeshift didn’t work at all. At 0-1 Andy Robertson gave it away by throwing it in and gestured when Sadio Mane made a different run. Liverpool’s best partnership is Mane / Robertson. And even that was off.
The second half Jordan Henderson made it all work for everyone. He was everyone’s support, constantly available, constantly on the go. His heart was pounding. He does it brilliantly for the second goal. Like Sadio Mane, like Robertson. But also Diogo Jota.
In every way that matters, Diogo Jota looks like a Liverpool player. The first half looks like a spare tire, looks like an extra man wherever he goes. But second is constant and dangerous. It is lively. And out of nowhere is good in the air. This is a Liverpool that improves from time to time, that solves problems, that is constant and that, out of nowhere, is well in the air.
* Who was your MOTM last night? Take our quick survey and voice your opinion HERE.
‘Liverpool shows sign of champion despite crazy start to season’
Joe Bernstein in the Mail on Sunday: In this crazy season, Sheffield United threatened to make the biggest shock of all when they got ahead at Anfield and could have been out of sight.
The fact that they finally left empty-handed was not a reflection of their brave and courageous performance, especially given that they have not won this season.
But it said all about Liverpool’s resilience that, after a real scare on Saturday night, they remain undefeated at home in the Premier League for more than three years, a 62-match streak.
Although he started the season with indifference, conceding goals for fun, this morning he is at the top of the table with neighboring Everton. That is why they are champions.
Liverpool survived a major scare and it is ominous that they are so high with many more to come.
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