Liverpool had looked set to be given a mighty blow in the Premier League title race by Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United last night.
The Reds might have thought things would be a little easier against the division’s bottom side. But Wilder and his team are fighters, and they came out swinging.
In the end, the United manager admitted that his team simply couldn’t deal with the extra pace and power from Liverpool’s bench. Until Jurgen Klopp’s substitutions changed things though, the Blades were right in the contest.
With Liverpool giving everything to get in front, Sheffield United gave as good as they got. It was a game played in the right spirit, with respect on both sides.
Ultimately though, the Reds took the points. It leaves them top of the Premier League table with eight games to go. But with Arsenal and Manchester City breathing down their necks, Wilder told reporters after the game who he now wants to lift the trophy.
Chris Wilder makes Premier League title wish
Wilder and Klopp do have previous. The two managers were memorably at each other’s throats back in 2020 over the newly established five substitutes rule.
However, things have cooled since then and the respect they have for each other is obvious.
Following last night’s match, that feeling might have increased even further. That’s because according to journalist David Lynch on X, the Sheffield United boss told staff at Liverpool that he really ‘hopes’ they can finish the job and win the title this season.
“Chris Wilder has just walked through the mixed zone at Anfield and declared to a member of Liverpool staff: “I hope you go on and win it, I really do,”” Lynch reports.
What does the table now look like
This is a classy touch from Wilder, but it shouldn’t be any surprise. The Yorkshireman has previously revealed that his father is actually from Liverpool and is a Reds supporter.
So, in a three-way battle for the championship, you can imagine why Wilder is rooting for Liverpool.
And after last night’s result, Klopp’s team are edging closer to making that wish come true.
As they were on Sunday, the Reds are sitting two points clear of Arsenal in second place. Having won by the same margin as the Gunners on Wednesday though, they didn’t close the goal difference gap, which still stands at six in Arsenal’s favour. City remain three points behind.
Both of Liverpool’s challengers are in action on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola’s team away at Crystal Palace and the Gunners travelling to Brighton.
The Reds will be hoping either side can take something off the second and third placed teams before they face Manchester United on Sunday. It’s hotting up!