Alexis Mac Allister scored a screamer as Liverpool survived a big scare from bottom club Sheffield United to win 3-1 at Anfield and return to the top of the Premier League.
The Reds are now two points clear of Arsenal and have a three-point gap on defending champions Manchester City with eight games to go – but while those title rivals had routine wins on Wednesday, Liverpool went through the wringer 24 hours later.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were stuck in second gear at the start of the second half after Ivo Grbic’s blast against Darwin Nunez had given them the lead before the break. It had all seemed too easy for them.
Sheffield United – who had blown a golden chance to score after 32 seconds through James McAtee – capitalised on Liverpool’s lack of intensity, with McAtee atoning for his miss with the cross for Gustavo Hamer to force an own goal from Conor Bradley.
Anfield was stunned. Mohamed Salah was hooked. The tension and anxiety ramped up as the clock ticked down.
But for the 25th time this season Liverpool came up with a goal in the final 15 minutes of a Premier League game. And what a goal it was. Mac Allister lashed a scorcher into the top corner to spark celebrations of joy and relief. A huge moment in the title race.
He later on, whacked the crossbar from a free-kick not long after but Liverpool got over the line with Cody Gakpo heading in a third – and 26th in the final stages this season – from fit-again Andy Robertson’s cross.
The result will have been a painful one for Blades boss Chris Wilder, who will rue those two big errors from his players in the first half. They are 10 points from safety with just eight games to play, but while the odds are against them, this was a reminder there are twists and turns to come in the battle for the Premier League crown.
