Liverpool log a year unbeaten in top flight
● Tired legs on display but Klopp’s side extend run to go 13 points clear at the top
will now be hoping to have a welcome nine days without a match but such is the rapidly reducing nature of the squad – now missing eight players – that weary legs may be pressed into action again.
Blades boss Chris Wilder had taken his players for a training session in the shadow of Anfield in Stanley Park earlier in the day but inside, under the lights, is a different proposition – as they discovered after just four minutes.
Virgil Van Dijk lifted a ball forward and, when George Baldock slipped, Scotland captain Andrew Robertson capitalised to cross for Salah to sidefoot home his 44th goal in his last 51 matches at Anfield.
He could have had another had Dean Henderson not tipped over his first-time halfvolley from Jordan Henderson’s low ball and then got his hands to a shot from Mane’s backheel.
Wilder’s side worked hard to negate the possession deficit and saw Enda Stevens’ dipping volley fly just wide and Alisson Becker tip over David Mcgoldrick’s effort. But this game began to resemble the final fixture of a busy festive period as legs began to tire early on both sides.
Klopp’s half-time instructions to his flagging troops would surely have been to get the game killed off as soon as possible and Roberto Firmino tried his best with a diagonal shot which had Henderson clutching at thin air as it sailed just past the far post.
The Sheffield United goalkeeper’s quick reflexes saved him when a Salah pass sailed over the head of Van Dijk and hit the post before rebounding along the goalline – but he was powerless to stop Liverpool’s second in the 64th minute.
Alisson’s quick throw sent Robertson and then Mane charging forward, with the Senegal international receiving a return pass from Salah to follow up his own half-saved shot with goal poacher’s reactions, taking just 12 seconds from goalkeeper to goal.
The 2-0 lead meant it was game over, and Liverpool charge forward into 2020 in the same manner they approached 2019, having now taken 85 points from a possible 87, with 28 wins and a draw.