Reds dig deep for victory

LIVERPOOL came from behind to beat struggling Sheffield United 2-1 and join Everton at the top of the Premier League table after Manchester City squandered more points in the topsy-turvy English top flight.

Earlier, Manchester United and Chelsea played out a soggy stalemate at Old Trafford, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men languishing 15th on the table and without a home win this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s champions, without injured defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk, are now unbeaten in 62 Premier League home games at Anfield but had to dig deep after falling behind to an early penalty scored by Sander Berge.

Roberto Firmino hauled Liverpool level shortly before halftime and the home side overcame the disappointment of seeing an audacious Mohamed Salah goal ruled out for offside to score the winner through a Diogo Jota (right) header.

The victory at Anfield means the champions have 13 points, level with neighbours Everton, who still lead the table on goal difference, with a game in hand.

“I’m not surprised at all — you always have to work hard against Sheffield United,” Klopp said.

“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.

“I love these games, as you earn all of the rest. You earn the easier games when it all goes your way on nights like this.”

Phil Foden rescued a 1-1 draw for City against West Ham at the London Stadium but the disappointing result means Pep Guardiola’s team has taken just five points from its past four matches.

Injury-hit City, without Fernandinho, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Gabriel Jesus, dominated possession but rarely found top gear.

City is already five points behind Everton, who played Southampton overnight, and looks more vulnerable than at any time since Guardiola’s first season in charge.

Guardiola said City was struggling with injuries and a hectic schedule.