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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Jota caps Liverpool fightback to sink Sheffield United

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Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp praised Liverpool’s ability to cope with “injustice” as the Premier League champions survived a scare to beat Sheffield United 2-1 on Saturday.


Klopp’s side trailed to Sander Berge’s controversial first half penalty at Anfield, with the Reds frustrated that VAR gave the spot-kick despite Fabinho’s foul appearing to take place outside the area.


But Roberto Firmino equalised before the break and Portugal forward Diogo Jota completed the escape act with his second goal since signing from Wolves in September.


After losing Virgil van Dijk to a serious knee injury in last weekend’s Merseyside derby draw at Everton, the Reds have proved they can survive without their influential Dutch centre-back.


“The penalty was not even a foul. During a season there are so many different periods, we have had an injustice and we have had to go again’’, Klopp said.


“I love these games. You have to work hard. You earn the easier games when it all goes your way on nights like this.”


A gritty 1-0 Champions League win against Ajax in midweek set the tone and Liverpool again dug deep to earn their first win in three Premier League games.


“We struggled with (Oli) McBurnie in the first half but we changed our positioning and won the second balls. We were dominating at 2-1 and had some really good football but then they came back’’, Klopp said.


“They never give up, I respect that so much. They go and go and go. Chris (Wilder, Sheffield United coach) is doing a wonderful job.”


Second placed Liverpool are level on points with leaders Everton, who have a superior goal difference and play their game in hand at Southampton on Sunday.


Anxiety eased


Liverpool came out firing and almost went ahead inside the first minute when Sadio Mane flicked the ball past United keeper Aaron Ramsdale before John Egan hacked clear. Trent Alexander-Arnold tried his luck with an audacious free-kick from the halfway line that Ramsdale had to tip over. But despite that lively opening it was United who took a shock lead in the 13th minute. When Fabinho tripped McBurnie right on the edge of the Liverpool area, Mike Dean gave a free-kick but VAR intervened to review the challenge and ruled it had taken place just inside the box. — AFP


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