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Liverpool extended their remarkable Premier League winning run to 16 successive matches but they needed a helping hand \u2013 literally \u2013 from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.<\/p>\nLiverpool extended their remarkable Premier League winning run to 16 successive matches but they needed a helping hand \u2013 literally \u2013 from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.<\/p>\n
The old adage of it being better to be lucky than good definitely applied to this 1-0 victory as Jurgen Klopp\u2019s side were slow and sloppy, prompting Bramall Lane\u2019s Kop to questioningly chant \u201cChampions of Europe, you\u2019re having a laugh\u201d.<\/p>\n
Having done an impressive job for 70 minutes of blunting a strike force which had scored 13 goals this season the on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper\u2019s blunder in allowing Georginio Wijnaldum\u2019s shot through his fingers was all the league leaders needed.<\/p>\n
It was harsh on United who, despite their Premier League inexperience, had given Liverpool as tough a test as anyone this season.<\/p>\n
Their well-drilled 5-3-2 formation gave the visitors more problems than they would care to admit considering the attacking talent they had at their disposal with their build-up play labored and lethargic.<\/p>\n
And with Oli McBurnie a danger on the counter-attack down the left there was even the threat of even more trouble with the striker testing Adrian early on.<\/p>\n
United were so concentrated on maintaining an organised front in the face of their opponent\u2019s domination of possession they were almost surprised when chances came their way with Callum Robinson snatching a shot wide after being put through by John Fleck.<\/p>\n
Liverpool toiled in the middle third, moving the ball one way and then recycling it back the other as they probed to make a breakthrough with half-chances missed by Wijnaldum, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.<\/p>\n
The direct approach proved more profitable as Virgil Van Dijk lofted a pass for Mane to run clear of the defense but he sliced high and wide with only goalkeeper Henderson to beat.<\/p>\n
Mane should have done better with that effort but the one two minutes before the break was even more inexplicable.<\/p>\n
Wijnaldum launched Salah on the counter-attack which resulted in Firmino, seven yards out, opting to tee up Mane but although his shot beat Henderson at his near post the upright denied him a goal.<\/p>\n
Liverpool\u2019s seven first-half shots were the most they had produced in the opening 45 minutes of a league match without one being on target since February 2017, when they lost to Hull.<\/p>\n
After more laboring without intent in the opening 20 minutes of the second half Klopp changed tack, sending on the fit-again Divock Origi for Jordan Henderson and switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Salah as its spearhead.<\/p>\n
The best chances were still falling to the hosts, however, with Norwood forcing to tip a low drive around the same post Mane had struck until Liverpool benefited from a huge stroke of luck.<\/p>\n
Just when it seemed United were about to become only the only side after Barcelona and Napoli in the last 26 games to prevent the Reds scoring, Henderson blew it.<\/p>\n
Wijnaldum\u2019s shot from the edge of the area was hit well but more in hope than expectation but, as it flew through a crowd of players, United\u2019s goalkeeper failed to get a proper hold and it slipped between his hands and then his legs to trickle over the line.<\/p>\n
Henderson\u2019s sticking out a leg to deny Salah clean through one-on-one prevented it becoming 2-0 but the damage had been done.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, substitute Leon Clarke should still have equalized five minutes from time but ballooned over Fleck\u2019s low cross from close range.<\/p>\n
Liverpool\u2019s bandwagon rolls on, briefly extending their lead over Manchester City to eight, having taken an incredible 121 points from a last possible 138.<\/p>\n