LACK OF FIZZ CAN’T HALT REDS CHARGE
Henderson blunder keeps Liverpool on title track
Jurgen Klopp left Bramall lane with a bottle of bubbly from Sheffield united manager Chris Wilder, but he did not sound like a man about to launch into celebration.
True, this was one of those satisfying victories which enhanced liverpool’s credentials as potential title-winners, hewn from hard toil on a day when they were not very fluent and enjoyed a slice of good fortune.
These are very early days, however. liverpool passed similar tests of character last season, and were forced to settle for second.
That has left its mark. So Klopp is not about to be carried away by seven wins out of seven and a fivepoint cushion. or 16 wins in row in the premier league stretching back to March, the last time his team dropped points, in a goalless derby at goodison park.
‘ I’m not interested in the number,’ Klopp said. ‘It’s just a number. You can only create a streak like that if you’re always in the next job. The next job is Salzburg in a different competition and then leicester City, and that will be difficult.’
If they are to break the record of 18 consecutive premier league wins, set by City in 2017-18 they must beat leicester, Manchester united and Tottenham. ‘It doesn’t sound too likely,’ Klopp smiled. So he thanked Wilder for the champagne — a mark of recognition for winning the FIFA Coach of the Year — and the managers shared a beer and talked football. ‘He’s a right down-to-earth guy,’ Wilder said. ‘It’s great sitting in a room with him. He’s open and that’s quite refreshing, because I don’t get the feeling that managers in the premier league want to do that. That’s been a bit disappointing because I think it’s important people chat because we’re all after the same thing. We’re all after a win.’ They are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to budget and expectations, but these are managers with a common bond, committed to harnessing the energy of their passionate fans by producing a daring brand of attacking football.
neither is particularly comfortable toasting his achievements with a flute of fizz. ‘I’m not a connoisseur,’ confessed Wilder.
Klopp offered praise to Sheffield united, comparing them to Mainz, the club with whom he won promotion in germany, and noting the combined force of their players, supporters and manager.
‘A proper unit,’ he called the Blades. ‘A proper wall,’ he called their fans. As for Wilder’s presence on the touchline, he said: ‘I thought I was loud, but he’s really loud.’
It was a day of mutual admiration. Also a day when liverpool needed their centre halves to be on top of their game. Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk were quick and aware, strong in the air, the best players on the pitch.
The illustrious front three misfired. It might have been different had Sadio Mane converted one of two clear chances in the first half and tempted Sheffield united to take more risks. Wilder’s over-lapping centre halves remained tethered. And the result would have seemed more emphatic had Mohamed Salah not been foiled by Dean Henderson when clean through near the end.
As it was, the sides were only separated by the goalkeeping howler by Henderson, who let a volley through his legs from georginio Wijnaldum. ‘We have to win every game,’ said Van Dijk. ‘It doesn’t matter how the goal has gone in.’
The champagne can stay on ice until spring. This is the season of graft and ale. And that suits Klopp.