For a while there, things were pretty grim for Liverpool.
The defending Premiership champions were facing an injury crisis, leaking goals, and were on an embarrassing run of four straight defeats in the league.
The tide, however, appears to finally be turning in the Reds’ favour following their successful EPL visit to Sheffield United this morning (March 1st).
Photo via This Is Anfield
Liverpool came away 2-0 winners courtesy of a goal from Curtis Jones and a deflected Bobby Firminho strike.
It not only ended their losing streak, but left them sixth in the standings and just two points off the top-four.
On paper, this would appear to be a routine win against the league’s bottom club.
In reality, however, the result offered renewed hope to Liverpool’s bid for a top-four finish, because it was not just the result against Sheffield that mattered…but the manner of the win.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were in control the entire match and could have scored more if not for a fine performance from the Blades’ keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Firminho, often accused of being inconsistent, appears to have rediscovered his form.
The makeshift backline also held its own, with Nat Phillips looking confident alongside Ozan Kabak to register a clean sheet – which has become a bit of a rare occurrence for them in recent weeks.
As if that wasn’t enough of a morale booster for Liverpool, they received good news on the injury front with the return of James Milner, on the same week that Fabinho and Diogo Jota were deemed fit enough to resume first-team training.
First choice keeper, Alisson is also set to re-join his teammates, having taken time off following the tragic death of his father.
Finally, Liverpool are starting to look like themselves again.
Their next test, though, is as big as they come, with Chelsea set to visit Anfield on Friday morning (March 5th).
If the rejuvenated Reds are indeed pushing to make the top-four, a solid result here will be crucial.
by Nicholas Darren John