'An honest performance against one of the best teams in the world'
- Published
Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba told BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast that Chris Wilder's team deserved the positive reaction from their supporters after their 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Thursday: "They really put in a good performance. They were unfortunate, at the start, not to take the lead and then it was an unfortunate goal to give away.
"But they didn't grumble. They stuck at it and they kept the same. It was a good team performance. The second-half was much better and there were some really good individual performances in there.
"I was a little bit disappointed with Vini [Vinicius Souza], but that's just me. It's just because I think he is a lot better than what he showed against Liverpool.
"But I think that it was a really good performance and that is why the Blades fans clapped the players off. It was an honest performance against one of the best teams in the world.
"They just ran out of steam. Of course you will, especially when you have players like Cody Gakpo coming on. It is tough, but the boys can be proud of what they did."
Asaba also praised the "real potential threats" Sheffield United currently have in their front line: "Ben Brereton Diaz - he is great to watch because, even in a match as difficult as this, he offers a threat. He is a willing worker, he is awkward to play against, he is big and strong but he is really quick, he grafts. He has got the ability, so you have always got an out ball.
"You have got the quality of [James] McAtee there. I thought [Jayden] Bogle was outstanding when he had the ball in dangerous areas, his delivery was really good, he had a really good strike as well.
"So, there is a lot of positives there.
"The performance warranted merit and a positive response. Hopefully they can take this on and end the season playing consistently and being in consistent form."