Liverpool 2-1 Sheffield United: Match report and highlights as Reds win narrowly

Just seven days after the Reds wrote to the Premier League for an explanation of two contentious referrals by David Coote in the Merseyside derby, the video assistant – this time Andre Marriner – found himself in the spotlight again.

He upgraded Fabinho’s tackle on Oli McBurnie from a free-kick to a penalty despite the Brazil international appearing to win the ball right on the edge of the area – something it is understood the VAR official elected not to check – and Sander Berge did the rest to put the Blades ahead.

The defending champions escaped a couple more penalty appeals before Roberto Firmino, just before half-time, and Diogo Jota struck to extend Liverpool’s unbeaten home league run to 62 matches, one short of equalling the club record between 1978 and 1981, as they moved second on goal difference.

It was one of their most hard-fought of 51 victories in that sequence with United not only working hard to hold their early advantage but creating enough opportunities to concern Jurgen Klopp’s side, who had the added security of Alisson Becker back in goal ahead of schedule following a shoulder injury.

After complaining about Jordan Pickford’s reckless tackle on Virgil Van Dijk which has left the centre-back sidelined for several months and the debatable, marginal offside which ruled out Jordan Henderson’s added-time winner at Everton, the last thing Liverpool needed was more VAR controversy.

But that is exactly what they got in the 13th minute when Fabinho tackled McBurnie right on the edge of the area.

There was some argument whether it was even a foul as the Brazilian appeared to get a touch on the ball but referee Mike Dean immediately awarded a free-kick.