Sheffield United face arguably their toughest test of the season so far on January 2 when they take on Liverpool at Anfield.
The runaway Premier League leaders currently have a 13-point gap between themselves and second-placed Leicester City. They also have a game in hand.
This is the second time the Blades have faced them in 2019/20. Last time out, at Bramall Lane, they actually went remarkably close to getting something from the match. Only a Dean Henderson blunder for Georginio Wijnaldum’s winner gifted the Reds a 1-0 victory.
Just one team have taken points off Jurgen Klopp’s side this term and that’s Manchester United. They secured a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford back in October. Liverpool have won their other 18 league outings.
Why Anfield trip is so much tougher for Sheffield United
Yet it isn’t just their form this term that makes the Merseyside outfit so formidable. In the top flight, from the last 84 available points, the Reds have taken 82.
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They have only lost one of their past 58 league fixtures – a title-deciding 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in January. That was their only loss of 2018/19 as they accumulated 97 points; the third highest total in Premier League history. Yet they missed out on first place to City by a single point.
Since that result at the Etihad Stadium, the draw with Man United is the only blot on their copy book. They have won 27 of their 28 league matches.
When looking at their record at home, it becomes even more impressive for Klopp’s men. Both cases of dropped points to the Manchester sides occurred away from Anfield.
When playing on home soil, Liverpool have now not lost in the league in 50 attempts. That is a run that dates back to April 2017 when they were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace.
Klopp has won 104 of his 161 league games as manager. Even Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish didn’t achieve that so quickly.
For the Blades to take anything from the match on January 2 would be a monumental accomplishment for Chris Wilder and his team.