Diogo Jota completes Liverpool comeback win over Sheffield United

Liverpool returned to winning ways after coming from behind to win 2-1 at home to Sheffield United with Diogo Jota scoring the winner.

The Blades made a nervy start but opened the scoring in contentious circumstances when Fabinho was penalised for a tackle right on the line of the Reds box.

It was initially awarded as a free-kick but VAR ruled it was a penalty and Sander Berge stepped up to send Alisson, making his first start since September, the wrong way.

From then on Chris Wilder's side then grew into the game and improved defensively. And they should have been 2-0 up but Ollie McBurnie failed to find the target when put through on goal while Berge had a penalty shout from a challenge by Jota.

Jurgen Klopp's side were sloppy and disjointed in possession at times but equalised close to halftime when Sadio Mane's header was parried by Aaron Ramsdale with Roberto Firmino converting the rebound.

The Reds continued to be below their best in the second half but grinded out a victory similar to their title winning season. Two minutes after Mohamed Salah had an exquisite goal chalked off for off-side, Jota scored with a header from Mane's cross.

And despite the visitors bringing on David McGoldrick and switching to three up front, Liverpool held on for their first win in three league games to go joint top of the table with Everton.

The tackle from Fabinho on McBurnie looked to be on the line so it is understandable why the referee's decision was changed by VAR and a spot-kick was given. It is more contentious whether it was a foul at all though from the Brazilian as he appeared to win the ball.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Desperately unlucky not to be on the scoresheet. He had a goal ruled out for off-side after a Lionel Messi-like control and finish. The Egyptian then hit the post after some lovely skill, he was a joy to watch.

LIVERPOOL: Alisson 5, Alexander-Arnold 7, Gomez 6, Fabinho 5, Robertson 6, Henderson 8, Wijnaldum 5, Salah 8, Firmino 7, Jota 8, Mane 8. Subs: Milne n/a, Minamino n/a.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Ramsdale 6, Baldock 6, Basham 5, Egan 8, Ampadu 7, Stevens 7, Berge 7, Lundstram 6, Osborn 7, McBurnie 7, Brewster 4. Subs: Burke 5, McGoldrick n/a.

13' - GOAL FOR SHEFFIELD UNITED! Fabinho slides on McBurnie right on the line of the Liverpool box, catching his foot. Mike Dean points for a free-kick but VAR has a look and says penalty. Berge tucks home the spot kick, sending Alisson the wrong way.

21' - WHAT A CHANCE! McBurnie is through on goal but puts it wide from inside the box after a beautiful pass from Ampadu.

41' - GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL! Nice passing move. Henderson's cross finds Mane whose header is saved and Firmino gets a tap in.

62' - DISALLWOED GOAL! Alexander-Arnold with a ball over the top for Salah who controls it majestically and toe pokes it past the keeper. But it is ruled off-side.

64' - GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL! Mane's cross finds Jota whose flying header goes in.

81' - WOODWORK! Salah rolls Egan with his first touch, he dinks it over Ramsdale and it hits the post.

The Berge penalty was the first Premier League spot kick Liverpool have faced at Anfield in two years and 17 days since Riyad Mahrez missed a spot-kick for Manchester City.