SIMON MILLOCK
the record set by City’s centurions two years ago.
Mind you, Liverpool were nowhere near their best yesterday.
Mo Salah had the first touch of a man wearing hobnail boots, Sadio Mane was wasteful and Roberto Firmino’s energy levels seemed low.
But much of the credit for that must go to Wilder’s razor-sharp Blades.
United don’t have any big names, but they have hearts the size of the nearby Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Organised and bang at it, the home side had impressive performers throughout their team – including the unfortunate Henderson.
Their fans also demonstrated that there is more than one Kop in English football – and the vast expanse behind the goal rose as one to salute their team in defeat at the final whistle.
United started and finished on the front foot. Oli McBurnie forced Adrian into an early save and Callum Robinson’s snapshot flew just wide.
The colossus that is Virgil van Dijk made the first of a number of vital interventions to frustrate John Lundstram before Andy Robertson threw himself into harm’s way to block a blast from the United No.7.
It illustrated how tough Liverpool were finding it that they didn’t threaten until the 34th minute. Even then, it was a choreographed move.
Adrian’s long pass was in step with Mane’s lightning dash inside Chris Basham, but the winger connected with his shin as he attempted to lift the ball over Henderson and was well off target.
Mane squandered another chance just before half-time when he hit the post after unselfishly being set up by Salah and Firmino.
Van Dijk continued to show why he’s the world’s best defender after the break. The Dutchman was like a magnet cutting out two dangerous crosses by the outstanding John Fleck.
When another brave Robertson block left Fleck frustrated, it seemed Klopp did not know whether to tear into his players or the fourth official.
Once the German coach gathered his thoughts, he decided that his skipper must make way for Origi.
It was a big moment in the game – and perhaps the title race.
Keeper Henderson, spending another season on loan from Manchester United, might not be welcomed back at Old Trafford for a while after making the mistake that settled the issue.
He did redeem himself slightly by standing up tall to block Salah’s effort with his feet.
But when Fleck unlocked Liverpool again late on, substitute Leon Clarke couldn’t produce the finish which would have seen him mark his top-flight debut at the age of 34 with an equaliser.