Have Chelsea improved since Thomas Tuchel took charge? I'd say so.

They have earned seven points in three league fixtures under Tuchel, as many in their final eight matches under Frank Lampard.

The German is the first Chelsea boss to keep clean sheets in his opening three matches since Jose Mourinho in August 2004.

They made Tottenham look very ordinary last time out.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at Bramall Lane

"It's a chilly night," says the stadium announcer as he reads the teams out. "If you hear my teeth chattering, then I apologise."

He's not wrong. it's 0C and that easterly wind is bitter. Did I say that I'm a big fan of long johns?

This bodes well for an entertaining game...

• Sheffield United have won three of the four Premier League meetings at Bramall Lane, including by 3-0 in last season's corresponding fixture.
• There have been 32 goals scored in the nine previous Premier League encounters.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at Bramall Lane

It's a chilly evening in Sheffield as the Beast from the East 2 rolls in from Russia, but a new wind has blown through both these clubs in recent weeks.

Sheffield United quickly followed up their first win of the season, against Newcastle last month, with victories over Manchester United and West Brom. The only problem for the Blades is that the teams above the bottom three have also started to win too, yet a point will take them off the bottom of the table.

Thomas Tuchel has made an unbeaten start to his Chelsea reign, and has three clean sheets to boot too. Win tonight and his team will reach fifth, a point behind Liverpool. Although there will be many Blues fans who disagreed with how Frank Lampard was dismissed, the German has got the club back amongst the Champions League places very quickly.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp speaking to the BBC: "I saw a really good game and big mistakes. In each game when you make these kind of mistakes it's very likely you concede goals. I think it's easy to agree that the first half was a really good game, two sides really trying a lot to cause problems for each other, and I like a lot I saw in the game.

"Ccoming out in the second half they changed the system and we didn't move enough in midfield. We scored our goal and in that moment it was possible the game goes in our direction, but Alisson made two massive mistakes, gave two goals away and then a genius situatuon from Phil Foden.

"The confidence could have suffered after the last game but tonight I a saw a very confident team if I'm honest. I liked the football we played. It's very difficult to explain that we lost 4-1. There's a lot of things I want to see in the next game, 100%.

On Alisson's errors: "We were not really under pressure there... you can shoot the ball in the stands, we just gave it away. Apart from that the game ends 1-1. The performance was good enough at least to draw, and that's it. We just have to carry on. We will do that. It's not the best moment of our lives, we have to fight but we have to play as well."

Love how stadium announcers are staunchly sticking to their task, even though there's no crowd. The fella at Bramall Lane has just wished nobody a good evening and is now reading out the teams. He's got a job to do and by Jove he's going to do it.

Manchester City

Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Today we will celebrate, but tomorrow our feet will be on the grass again. In February no one is champions. I can not predict the future all I can predict is work and work.

"I am so grateful to my players but this is now the past, we have done brilliantly so I cannot deny how happy we are. But we are in February. For Manchester City, three points and to come here and finally win, it's very important."

I can't see it happening but it'd be some story if Liverpool don't even manage to make the top four this season after absolutely blitzing everyone in 2019-20.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports: "Big part of the game was a brilliant game from my side. I can see in your eyes you see differently. I really liked it. First half played really good football. Second half, City changed the system slightly. A little adaptation and we would be in the game again but in the start of the second half we did not give enough options to play and gave the first goal away.

"We gave them too much opportunity. They scored that goal, we scored the equaliser. We were good again but then made two massive mistakes that is clear. At 3-1 down at this level it is tough to take and then Foden with a genius situation for the fourth goal.

"If we play football like we did for a long time tonight then we will win football games, 100%."

On Alisson's errors: "It is true as well we did not give him a lot of options, especially the first one. Second yeah, he just mishit the ball, maybe he had cold feet, it sounds funny but don't know the situation. He has saved our lives many times, no doubt about that, tonight he made mistakes."

Tight battle for top four? "We will try everything. There are enough games to play to secure that but we have to win games."

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Sheffield United have won three of their past five Premier League games, which is pretty good - but they are still 11 points from safety, which shows the size of their survival task.

The Blades have shown a willingness to go for it in the closing stages of games and it has paid off - all three of those wins came thanks to a goal in the last 20 minutes.

Hard work is giving Chris Wilder's side a chance but I think in games like this it is Chelsea's quality that will show through - especially when their players are still trying to impress new head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Prediction: 0-2

Lawro's full predictions v BBC's Morning Live presenter Gethin Jones

Manchester City

Image source, Reuters

Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Sport: "A lot of emotions, many things happening in the game. Gundogan missed a penalty, it's like a routine against them, but we started really really well, doing what we want to do. In the second half, the way we react to the goal, the way we played with quality made the difference.

"We knew that we should continue with what we have done the last month or two months, and that's what we did well... For many years we were not able to win here, hopefully next time we can do it with people. Anfield is so intimidating."

On their missed penalty: "It's a problem that we have. In important moments we cannot miss it, and it doesn't matter the taker. Again, I'm going to think about Ederson, he might be the taker next time."

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm very happy that we won the game, we deserved it we played great especially in the second half. We did really well and apart from the penalty they had no chance to score a goal. We moved the ball well, we deserved to score the goals and all in all it was a great performance."

On his penalty miss and goals: "I need to admit that missing a penalty is always a bad thing, especially early in the game. There's always a danger of dropping confidence but after I missed I just tried to do the simple things as well as possible. Don't get distracted by the penalty and try to keep going and help my team to win. It worked out well. Maybe I was lucky to be in the right places but I always try to be there when I smell the danger in front of goal. Happy about the goals, relieved but much happier about the result and the way we played."

On Phil Foden: "Phil deserves all the credit, he's doing really well. Compared to last season he has stepped his game up this season. He's still so young we can't forget that, a lot to come from him. Very happy to have him in our team he gives us an incredible quality and great to see a young kid playing so well."

On title race: "It's not ours yet, we need to stay humble, we know we need to put out performances like that out every single game. Doesn't matter whether it's Liverpool away or Sheffield United at home, even that game was so tight and close. Every game has its own character and challenges but we need to keep going every game is important, it could be a very good season for us."

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: "We played in the way you have to suffer here. Hopefully next time we can win here with people. Anfield is always impressive but with people it is much more.

"Huge victory for us. Three more points at the end but I take into consideration the fact we won after we missed a penalty and conceded a goal but the way we reacted... that made the difference.

"We started really well. We cannot play like they play, we have to play in a slow rhythm. Second half we adjusted our set up and the quality of the players did the rest.

"Phil Foden is a guy who keeps the ball really well, he arrives so aggressive but he is also still so young. When he plays wide it is more easy for him, he will learn. The action for the second goal and the fourth goal, we know what a huge talent he is but he is still young and hopefully he can understand he can still improve.

"It is an important win but it is February. Of course the gap to fifth is big right now and that means for the Champions League for next season is important but 10 wins in a row in this period is something exceptional. Today is the time to talk about this but tomorrow we look to the next game."

It's certainly not my own (I'm not that smart), but a tip of the hat to those involved in the creation of Alisson Blunderland. A truly wonderful pun. Take a bow.

After 23 games this season, Liverpool (40) now have 27 fewer points than they did at the same stage last season (67), the biggest drop by any reigning champion at this stage of a campaign in English top-flight history.

Of course, that form last season was so absurd the only way was down really.

Leicester. Leipzig and Everton are the next three for Liverpool. It doesn't get easier.

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, speaking to Sky Sports: "Very disappointed with the result of course. I don't think the end result reflected the performance to be honest but we made mistakes and got punished.

"We competed well, this was more like the performance we are used to but like I say mistakes at the wrong moments cost us.

"It is hard to take now but in football you have to move on quickly. We need to use this week to prepare the best we can for a tough game with Leicester.

"Yes the result is very disappointing when you look at the scoreline but I felt large parts of the performance was more like us. I didn't think we deserved to lose by that much but we made costly errors that cost us.

"We don't look at the league table, just concentrate on the next game and try and win every game we can whether you are on top or fourth or fifth."

Robbie Savage
Ex-Wales midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

For me, the title is over. Is it unthinkable that Liverpool might not end up in a Champions League position?

Robbie Savage
Ex-Wales midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Phil Foden could play anywhere on the park, left-back, right-back - I'm not sure he'd have the discipline for centre-half but he could probably make it work! There are videos out there of him playing in his local park doing tricks and he actually plays like that in the Premier League, it's unbelievable.

His best work was out wide today and it was magnificent.