Sheffield United are well-beaten by the Premier League champions elect on a difficult night at Anfield

Ninety-six days later, after failing to gain revenge for that 1-0 defeat, neither Chris Wilder nor his side could have no such complaints. Indeed, as the visitors’ manager admitted afterwards, it was Jurgen Klopp who probably felt short-changed by the final result.

The Premier League leaders, now 13 points clear at the top of the table and unbeaten in the competition for a year, were infinitely more superior than the 2-0 outcome would suggest.

“From our perspective, I was really disappointed,” Wilder conceded, after goals from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane propelled Liverpool to victory. “I didn’t think we laid a glove on them and the result, the 2-0, probably flattered us.

“If there was ever an example, of why they are world champions, European champions and soon to be champions of England, we saw it out there. People can talk about academies, rotations and all of that.

“But they won headers, tackles and races. And they won them better than us.”

Although United had their moments - John Lundstram going close from distance before Virgil van Dijk produced an excellent tackle to deny Lys Mousset a clear run on goal - in truth, this fixture was every bit as much a procession as the race for the title.

Liverpool benefited from a huge slice of good fortune when Salah scored the opener; George Baldock losing his footing as he turned to track Andy Robertson’s run towards the box. But from that moment on, the hosts controlled every single aspect of the contest, barely having to leave third gear as they pinged passes across the pitch.

Dean Henderson produced a series of fine saves to keep United in the game before Mane converted at the second attempt following an interchange with Salah.

Substitute Oli McBurnie was inches away from connecting with a Jack O’Connell centre as the final whistle beckoned but the ball fizzed agonisingly past his forehead.

“When you come here, you need to get off to a good start and we were unfortunate in that regard,” Wilder said. “But they took full advantage.”

Liverpool: Alisson, van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Keita, Firmino, Mane (Origi 78), Salah (Elliott 90), Gomez, Henderson, Robertson (Lallana 89), Alexander-Arnold. Not used: Adrian, Milner, Phillips, Jones.

Sheffield United: Henderson, Baldock, Stevens, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Norwood (Besic 78), Fleck, Lundstram, Mousset (McBurnie 66), McGoldrick (Sharp 66). Not used: Verrips, Robinson, Jagielka, Osborn.

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).