TAKE IT AS RED
LIVERPOOL 2 SHEFF UTD 0
FOR years Liverpool fans have been mocked by their rivals for bold pre-season predictions of “this will be our year”.
Finally it looks like 2020 will be just that as the Reds started it by completing 12 months unbeaten in the Premier League to move 13 points clear at the top of the table again – even with a game in hand.
Mo Salah and Sadio Mane got the goals to see off a resolute Sheffield United as Liverpool took another giant step towards ending their 30-year wait for a league title.
They are now 37 not out in cricket lingo with 32 wins and five draws stretching back to this time last year when they lost 2-1 to Manchester City.
Only Manchester United have taken a point against them this season after 20 games.
The Blades had spent the morning doing a light training session on Stanley Park in the shadows of Anfield.
A dog relieving itself on one of their training cones brought some laughter but when they were inside Anfield there was not much to smile about. They no doubt had a plan but within four minutes it had gone wrong.
A ball from Virgil van Dijk out to the left was collected by Andy Robertson as Blades defender George Baldock lost his footing.
The cross was perfect for Salah to nip past Jack O’Connell and direct home his 14th goal of the season.
Baldock put his shirt over his head but the slip was just rotten luck for him – and you need plenty of good fortune to get something from Anfield these days.
This is a Liverpool side who had not lost on this turf in their previous 50 league games.
It is little wonder why they have turned the title race into a drawn-out coronation.
The second goal almost came moments later, but this time Dean Henderson pulled off a stunning save to
deny Salah after Jordan Henderson’s perfect ball in.
Henderson denied Salah again just before the halfhour mark as Liverpool dominated.
No newly-promoted side has beaten a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool team in their previous 11 attempts, but the disciplined Blades were not making life easy for the Reds.
Roberto Firmino had not been at his best in the first half as he hesitated on passes that would have slid in Salah.
But he went close himself after the break with a curling effort from distance that would have been an early contender for goal of 2020. Salah nearly got his second on the hour mark when his tempting cross was missed by his team-mates but also Blades keeper Henderson, who needed the post to come to his rescue.
But Liverpool did double their lead in the 64th minute with a superb counterattacking goal.
Robertson started it before Mane and Salah combined, with the Senegal ace firing home after his initial toe poke was saved by Henderson.
The Mane goal ensured no late drama and that the Reds now lead second-placed Leicester by 13 points again and champions City by 14.
Oh, and they have got a game in hand on both.