This was never going to be a game which defined Sheffield United’s Premier League survival hopes but, on the night one of their favourite sons returned to the Bramall Lane dugout, it felt like something on which to build. Victory against a Liverpool side firmly in the title race never felt remotely likely given how, on Saturday, United were humiliated at Burnley in a game that resulted in Paul Heckingbottom’s sacking.
The result was the one most expected, with goals from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai moving Liverpool to within two points of Arsenal at the top. But the manner of performance from the league’s bottom side will have given all those associated with the club hope for what lies ahead. Granted, Jürgen Klopp’s side were not at their best, but this was a United display filled with endeavour and commitment.
