Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak as they return to Merseyside with yet another Premier League win.
The Reds remain hot on the heels of Arsenal after their latest Premier League victory. Klopp’s men snatched all three points after visiting Sheffield United to dampen Chris Wilder’s hopes of a perfect homecoming at Bramall Lane.
It wasn’t the usual electric performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side but their 2-0 win keeps them in a very strong position in the league table.
Liverpool remain second in the table, and thanks to Villa’s huge 1-0 win over Manchester City, the reigning champions are now fourth and four points behind the Reds.
Klopp’s side have well and truly bounced back from their underwhelming form last season which saw them miss out on Champions League football. Liverpool have lost just one match this season, which was back in September against Tottenham Hotspur.
A top four finish was the main target for the Merseyside outfit but now, a title race is firmly on the cards as they sit just two points behind leaders Arsenal.
Following their clash against Sheffield United — which saw Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai get on the scoresheet — Anfield icon Steven McManaman was asked about his former side’s chances of lifting the title this season.
“I said it in August and I’ll continue to say it now, I think they’re in a really good place. Great result tonight, not a magnificent performance but it’s just about churning results out,” he said during the Amazon Prime Video post-match discussion.
“Europa League, forget that now, that’s happening in March. Carabao Cup is on the horizon against West Ham at home, and you’ve got this league campaign. It’s really exciting times if you’re a Liverpool supporter.”
The Reds have four Premier League games left to play before the end of 2023. Their next challenge will be Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, before a meeting with Manchester United and a mouth-watering clash with Arsenal.
Liverpool’s Boxing Day visit to Burnley will see out their year before all focus shifts to 2024 and what the January transfer window might bring.
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Jurgen Klopp shares good news on Alexis Mac Allister injury
Alexis Mac Allister had heavy strapping on his leg and had to leave the pitch before the hour mark at Sheffield United, and Jurgen Klopp had some positive news to share.
The Argentine was expected by many to be named on the bench for the trip to Bramall Lane, with Saturday’s visit to Crystal Palace viewed as the best one of the two to start.
But he started in the left-sided No. 8 role and it took only three minutes for him to go down in a heavy challenge with William Osula, with the big concern over his knee.
Mac Allister stayed on but with noticeable discomfort, and he was hit with another knock 10 minutes into the second half and by 60 minutes he could not continue any longer.
He was playing with heavy strapping on his left knee, which he iced after being replaced by Curtis Jones, but his smile at full-time hinted at all being well.
Post-mach, Klopp gave a brief update on the No. 10, saying: “Macca, a shame [that] early he got a cut and as long as the wound was open, we just strapped it.
“It was painful, but he could play. We stitched it and then it got a bit tighter there, and he couldn’t move anymore.
“We have to see how long that will take. I hope not too long.”
That is the best news we could hope for, but with the trip to Palace coming in less than 72 hours, it does not leave a lot of time for the midfielder to rest and recover.
That will be on Klopp’s mind as he weighs up his selection choices for the early Saturday kick-off, and it could result in Wataru Endo starting his fourth league game of the season.
