'I believe a victory is round the corner' . . . what former Chelsea striker and other pundits said about Sheffield United's defeat at Liverpool

The Blades have now lost five of their opening six league games this season and only goal difference separates them from Fulham at the bottom of the table.

But, despite the defeat, there were encouraging signs that Chris Wilder’s side can turnaround their poor form and climb away from the relegation zone.

In fact, the manager, himself, acknowledged afterwards that their latest performance at Anfield was ‘much better’ than the one they produced away from home against the Premier League and World Club champions last season.

And speaking to the media post-match, he said: “We could have done better with their goals and we could have done better with some of the positions we got into. But I can take that performance, that fantastic attitude, all day long.”

But what did the pundits make of United’s latest defeat and the job Chris Wilder is doing at the Lane? Let’s take a look.

Tony Cascarino, former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland striker and talkSPORT presenter

“I have known (Chris Wilder) for quite a number of years now and have watched what he has done at football clubs. It’s been extraordinary. Not only in how they’ve got success but the way they’ve played to get success as well.

"There’s one thing that Chrissy Wilder can’t do is go and buy forwards with incredible incredible stats and goals. He’s had to spend quite big money to bring in good players. (Oli) McBurnie is a good player and a handful but won’t get loads of goals.

"He’s brought in Rhian Brewster, who’s going to be a good player, but he’s a young lad on the way up in his career. He’s done it with others and he’s had to keep Billy Sharp, but he’s had (Lys) Mousset who came from Bournemouth and scored goals early last season. He got a number of goals which were pivotal and very important to the club.

"Chrissy Wilder is the man for Sheffield United. Jurgen Klopp said it after the game about how well Chrissy Wilder has done at that football club. He’s not saying it as a lovely warm gesture to someone he likes, he’s actually saying it because Sheffield United are a very tough team to beat.

"The fact that no one gives them a tonking is because no one in their team doesn’t give anything but the max.

"It’s been a tough start for them. Do I think they should even consider a change? It would be absolute madness. If he lost his job at Sheffield United, there would be a number of clubs that would take him in a heartbeat.

"He’s been brilliant for them. I believe a victory’s round the corner and I did say I was nervous about Liverpool playing Sheff U because I thought they would go quite direct, get things into the box (with Virgil van Dijk missing) – but they need a quality finisher which he can’t buy.

"He’s hoping Brewster can become that man for him.”

Micah Richards, former Manchester City defender and Match of the Day pundit

"I was impressed with Sheffield United but the goals they give away were really sloppy and are probably goals they wouldn’t give away last season.”

Jermaine Jenas, former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder and Match of the Day pundit

“It’s a big test now for (Sheffield United after this defeat), but I think they’re built for it though. There’s a couple of big players they’re missing (this season) obviously (Dean) Henderson went back to Manchester United and Jack O’Connell is missing for the season.

"A lot of those goals wouldn’t have been conceded had he been in that back three and there’s (John) Fleck (missing) in midfield who’s a big player from them as well, but I have to say there were some good performances.

"Ben Osborn was good for them and (George) Baldock was good going forward. There’s some good signs and I think they’ve had some harsh results, but that will make Chris Wilder feel a lot better about that performance today. They just lacked a bit of sharpness at the top end of the pitch.”

Ben Haines, 90 Min creative director and BBC Football Daily podcast contributor

"I still believe Sheffield United have the ability, with Chris Wilder there, to grind things out. With Sheffield United, we’ve seen last year that they can do that and they also have the formation and system that allows them to do that as well. They work incredibly hard for each other off the ball and they can get forward and cause teams problems.

"They just haven’t been doing that this season. One thing they will be disappointed from the Liverpool game is the fact they got their noses in front and Chris Wilder is incredibly good at setting up a low block, so the fact that they got broken down a couple of times and the fact Liverpool got through them so easily for the first goal will be really, really frustrating.”

Lianne Sanderson, former England women’s footballer and BBC Football Daily podcast contributor

"I think that Chris Wilder is one of those managers that gets the best out of his players and they’re hard to play against. I think Sheffield United can end up staying up. It’s only five games (they’ve played after all)."

To help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details at https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports.

Your support is much appreciated.