Premier League: Reds Aim to Cut Through Sheffield Steel

Sheffield United vs Liverpool

Liverpool’s march at the top of the table continues in South Yorkshire on Saturday, when Jurgen Klopp takes his league leaders to Sheffield United.

Neither of these sides will mind looking at the Premier League table after the first six games as the Reds are flying high with a perfect six wins from six, while Chris Wilder’s Blades have surprised everyone and sit proudly in the top half of the table.

Talking Points

Expectations soaring at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp’s biggest task this season will be to keep a lid on the excitement bubbling at Liverpool, though no-one would deny he is the cause. His reign has seen the Reds win their sixth Champions League and reach an incredible 97 points in the Premier League last term, only to come second to the incredible Manchester City.

They are desperate to win the domestic title and a lead of five points by this stage is beyond Liverpool’s expectations. But Klopp will not need to remind his players the advantage they held over the Sky Blues last January was even better.

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Premier League

The Reds recovered from a Champions League defeat to Napoli, by beating Chelsea last weekend, with goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and player of the season so far Roberto Firmino. The brilliant Brazilian was often in the shadow of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane last term, but he is the fulcrum of the Reds’ attack – with a fantastic array of flicks which open up opportunities for himself and his team-mates.

Liverpool dominated the first half at Stamford Bridge, but was pegged back by a brilliant N’Golo Kante goal and Klopp was eventually relieved to leave London with all three points.

Chris Wilder’s Philosophy

The Blades started the season as nailed on favourites for relegation. But after a return of eight points from the first six games, they have hauled themselves above Newcastle and alongside Aston Villa in the relegation reckonings.

They moved up to tenth in the table with a stunning 2-0 win away to Everton, in a match where the Blades only had two shots and one on target!

An own goal by Yerry Mina and a late second from substitute Lys Mousset handed them a perfect smash and grab. It was one of the Premier League 2019 results of last weekend, one to send a shudder through the bottom half of the table and pile pressure on Toffees’ boss Marco Silva.

Premier League: Lys Mousset sealed the victory for Sheffield United against Everton — Lys Mousset celebrates after scoring Sheffield United’s second goal against Everton

But the Blades are not a team likely to ‘park the bus’ week on week. Since his appointment in 2016, Wilder has developed a 3-5-2 system with a difference. The wing-backs operate as wingers — much as they would in any team — but the centre-backs overlap too to add more weight to the Blades’ attacks.

John Egan is often the man staying deep, while Chris Basham and Jack O’ Connell join the attack. It worked brilliantly in the Championship, but can it work against Liverpool?

SBOBET Premier League fans are used to seeing sides come up from tier two and try to play out from the back like Barcelona, only to return to the Championship as Fulham did last season. But there is more to this Sheffield team.

I expect Wilder to use this tactic sparingly on Saturday, with his back three having a more traditional role against the most frightening front three in the world of football. And they can defend all right with 21 clean sheets last season having 12 on home soil. Plus, they had the joint best defensive record in the division – conceding 41 goals in 46 matches.

History

Sheffield United’s last season in the Premier League ended in controversy when the Blades were relegated by a goal scored by Carlos Tevez for West Ham.

The Argentine player had been registered by the Hammers on deadline day — using irregular third party agreements — and ultimately West Ham paid £20m to Sheffield United by way of compensation.

So the Blades are determined to make the most of their latest chance, and the head to heads will give them encouragement for this match. In only six meetings in the Premier League era, the honours have been shared with two wins each and two draws. But the last encounter was in 2007 when the Reds thumped the Blades 4-0.

Sheffield United hasn’t lost at home to Liverpool in the last three meetings at Bramall Lane. However, this Liverpool is rather different – winning fifteen Premier League games on the run.

Betting Tip

	Sheffield United vs Liverpool	Liverpool Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.08
	September 28, 19:30 (GMT+8)

This won’t be the most one-sided game according to the Sheffield United vs Liverpool betting odds.

The Blades are at 9.00 to spring a mighty surprise, and it’s unusual these days for a newly promoted team to be in single figures against one of the Top Two. Klopp’s Reds are at 1.36 with the draw at 4.50.

Wilder has his team playing with pride and passion and no little ability, but this is by far their biggest task so far and if they can avoid a hiding that will be no disgrace.

2-0 is the most likely scoreline at 6.60.