Sheffield United and Liverpool face-off at Bramall Lane in crucial fixture for both sides

Both in a bad spell of form, Sheffield United and Liverpool will be looking to gain a valuable three points which may spur their form heading into the latter stages of the Premier League season.

The two sides have seen themselves fall to consecutive defeats in the last couple of weeks with Jurgen Klopp’s men unable to win their last four Premier League matches and Chris Wilder’s side without a win in three league outings.

The current Premier League champions have seen themselves slide down the table as performances, injuries and many more aspects have hindered the Reds from reaching their full potential.

Seven defeats already this season is more than they combined during 2018/19 and the 2019/20 league-winning campaign (4).

Key components from last year’s side like Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Fabinho and many more have sustained injuries in some capacities that kept them out for a certain amount of matches which has not helped the Merseyside club.

Having inexperienced defenders like Neco Williams, Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips cover for the injured senior professionals has seen varied success, but Klopp has looked to find a solution to his back-line woes.

In the last outing for Liverpool, a Merseyside derby against rivals Everton last weekend at Anfield was what the Red side of Merseyside would call a disaster.

In the third minute of the match, a lovely through ball from James Rodriguez found Richarlison clean through on goal with the Brazilian forward slotting the ball past Alisson.

Klopp’s men continued to dominate in retaining the ball and amassed over 70% possession over the course of the match as they failed to score in the match.

In the 83rd minute, Gylfi Sigurdsson doubled the Toffees’ lead from the penalty spot after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was fouled by Trent Alexander-Arnold. The striker tripped over the head of the Liverpool full-back with Chris Kavanagh briefly looking at the VAR screen but pointed to the spot.

The hosts, Sheffield United, have experienced heavy second season syndrome in what has been a dismal campaign.

After finishing ninth last term, things were very positive at Bramall Lane but injuries to key players and Covid-19 playing a massive part on their season, the Blades have not been the same team that we saw in the 2019/20 season.

Currently sat in 20th in the Premier League, Wilder’s men have lost their last three consecutive league matches and will be hoping to turn their fortunes around with a good result against the Reds.

Last time out, Sheffield United travelled to Craven Cottage to face relegation-battling Fulham in a massive six-pointer between the two sides.

Ademola Lookman’s goal in the 61st minute sunk the Blades as the hosts ran away victors and gained a valuable three points in their bid of staying up in the Premier League for another season.

The Blades have only beaten the Reds twice in the modern era of the first tier with victories coming back in September 1992 and April 1994.

Since coming back up to the top tier, Sheffield United have failed to win against the Merseysiders with all three previous fixtures ending in defeat.

In their last league meeting, the 19-time league champions edged the Yorkshire side as they eventually ran as 2-1 victors.

Sander Berge’s penalty put Wilder’s men ahead in the 13th minute with Roberto Firmino equalising four minutes before the end of the first-half.

Diogo Jota sealed the deal in the 64th minute after Mohamed Salah’s goal was disallowed a couple of moments before the Portuguese winger’s goal went in.

A crucial three points is at stakes for both sides with the Blades needing the three points to give themselves a slim chance of staying in the division and Liverpool will look to end a winless run as they try to turn the corner and return to winning ways as they battle for a top-four spot.

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