Liverpool didn’t have an especially easy time with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out but the important thing is that they’re still undefeated. They opened up a 2-0 lead in the first 30 minutes but after a Chelsea goal in the 71st minute the mounted a furious rally missing several chances to tie the game late.
It was as strong of a challenge as Liverpool has faced during their early season onslaught on the Premiership. Liverpool is now 6-0-0 with 17 scored and just 5 conceded. Away from home they’re 3-0-0 with 7 scored and just 2 conceded and will face another potentially tricky away fixture here as they travel to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United. Sheffield United is 2-2-2 on the season with 7 for and 6 against. They’ve actually played better on the road than at home where they are 1-0-2 on the season scoring 2 and conceding 3. They’re coming off a defeat here losing 1-0 to Sunderland in League Cup play but they won their last Premier League action prevailing 2-0 at Everton.
Following this contest Liverpool will prepare for another Champions League group stage game as they host Salzburg. After that it will be another tricky pair of Premier League fixtures as they host third place Licester City and travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. Sheffield United remains in 10th place, one of 6 teams with 8 points that are all packed up in the middle of the Premiership table. Also with 8 points are Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Burnley, Chelsea and Crystal Palace with Everton and Southampton just behind with 7 points.
Sheffield United is really a remarkable story as the club has made remarkable progress under Chris Wilder. They left the Premiership in 2007 but after falling to League One they have been promoted twice in three seasons. Going from League One to the Premier League in this short timeframe isn’t unprecedented but it is remarkable and particularly for a side that had languished at the subordinate levels of English football for nine seasons before Wilder took over the club.
A great story, however, won’t be enough to beat the powerful Reds. Liverpool has won 10 of 12 away in all competitions including 7 straight Premier League wins with the team scoring 2+ goals in each. The only blemish on the season thus far is a loss to Napoli in Champions League play. The team has done all of this without top goaltender Alisson who continues to rehab his calf injury. Sadio Mane ‘took a knock’ against Chelsea last time out but Jürgen Klopp sounds optimistic that he’ll be ready to go on Saturday.
