Sheffield United vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Dominik Szoboszlai scores late goal

Liverpool edged out Sheffield United by a 2-0 scoreline at Bramall Lane, the relatively low scoreline perhaps reflecting the lack of quality on show rather more than the gulf in possession and intent between the teams.

New home boss Chris Wilder, returning for the first game of his second spell at the club, was welcomed with applause and pre-match chants of “he’s one of our own”. He might hope to rapidly turn matters around and put the Blades into unchartered territory for this season, but his first game back was all too familiar in most regards.

Perhaps he can take some optimism from early fight, from counter-attacking openings created and from the fact this was close in terms of scoreline until late on against one of the nation’s top teams, but there’s clearly an awful long way to go before the team at the very bottom can begin considering a route to safety.

Meanwhile for the victorious Reds, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai earning them the points, having seen Arsenal snatch a late win at Luton to open up a five-point lead at the top one night prior, they’ll know the past few gameweeks have only reinforced how much impact away form will have on the title fight this season.

Moving back within two points of Arsenal at the Premier League summit, below-par Liverpool see off struggling Sheffield United and secure victory with goals late in either half. Van Dijk and Szoboszlai both converted coolly from close range to make the Reds’ dominance of possession pay, while their hosts battled bravely without posing much threat in the final third. This result extends Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the top flight to its eighth game, and they will aim to extend such a streak on Saturday, when in the second of three straight away fixtures they visit Selhurst Park to meet Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, the beaten Blades host Brentford at the weekend, with Wilder hoping to get off the mark in his second spell as United boss. That’s all from Bramall Lane today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!

FULL-TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-2 LIVERPOOL

Yellow Card Jayden Ian Bogle

In the second of at least six added minutes at the end of this match, Sheffield United have committed a few more bodies forward in search of a late equaliser. That leaves some space for Liverpool to exploit, but the hosts have to go for it now.

Assist Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro

Archer volleys the ball into the ground from near the penalty spot, then sees it loop up harmlessly over Kelleher’s crossbar. The Blades claim a corner-kick, but the referee gives the decision Liverpool’s way.

Yellow Card Oliver James Norwood

The Bramall lane faithful are in uproar after an apparent shove by Konate on McAtee goes unpunished. The latter is sent sprawling in the Liverpool area, but neither the referee nor VAR are interested.