Klopp applauds Liverpool’s resilience
Firmino, Jota score as Reds sink Blades
Liverpool were far from their best as they laboured to a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday but Juergen Klopp praised his side’s resilience as they again showed a knack for overcoming adversity at Anfield.
Diogo Jota’s second-half header sealed the points after Roberto Firmino had cancelled out Sander Berge’s controversial first-half penalty as Liverpool extended their unbeaten league run at home to 62 matches.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 13 home league games in which they have conceded the first goal, winning the last nine.
They had to do it this time without injured defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk and at the end of a demanding week in which they drew 2-2 at Everton and ground out a 1-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League.
“A tough week obviously — a lot of games, a lot of minutes, tough opponents, hard-fighting opponents,” Klopp said.
“[We] won the two matches after the Merseyside derby, so really pleased with that, obviously.
“We didn’t score [the third goal] so the game stayed open and they had their moments, but we defended well with a big heart. And so I liked it.”
Jota has now scored in his first two home league games since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Incredibly, since netting against Arsenal on Sept 28, the Portuguese has played in eight games for club and
country.
Stand-in centre-back Fabinho was adjudged by VAR to have fouled Oli McBurnie inside the area, even though referee Mike Dean had awarded a freekick outside the box.
Berge sent Alisson, back in goal after injury, the wrong way to put the visitors ahead and Liverpool lived
dangerously before Firmino levelled in the 41st minute.
Jota’s header earned the three points but it was a struggle in the rain for Klopp’s side who looked uneasy at the back without van Dijk.
For the second week running they also had legitimate gripes about VAR.
“It’s nice to win 2-0 or 3-0 every game
but that only happens if, in games like this, we are ready to fight hard,” Klopp said. “On nights like this you earn the right to win the others like that.
“The penalty was not even a foul. During a season there are so many different periods, we have had an injustice and we have had to go again.”
Earlier, Manchester City’s stuttering start continued as they drew 1-1 at West Ham United while Manchester United and Chelsea played out a drab 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
City are in 12th place with eight points from five games, their worst start to a Premier League season for six years while their neighbours United are down in 15th with seven points.
Postponed (due to coronavirus tests):