Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table with a hard-earned 3-1 victory over bottom side Sheffield United, leapfrogging Arsenal to go two points clear at the summit with eight matches left to play.
Alexis Mac Allister’s 20-yard thunderbolt 14 minutes from time helped to secure all three points at Anfield in a Thursday night contest that proved to be much more difficult for the hosts than most had expected.
A Conor Bradley own goal had cancelled out Darwin Nunez’s fortuitous first-half strike before Mac Allister produced a moment of magic for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Substitute Cody Gakpo then wrapped up a crucial victory with a 90th-minute goal.
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How the match unfolded
Liverpool were given a scare after just 31 seconds when Anel Ahmedhodzic flicked on Jack Robinson’s long throw towards the unmarked James McAtee, but the Manchester City loanee shot straight at Caoimhin Kelleher.
The hosts took advantage of their reprieve and took the lead in fortuitous circumstances after 17 minutes. Ivo Grbic’s attempted long kick was charged down by Nunez, who diverted the ball beyond the Blades goalkeeper and into the empty net.
Klopp’s side threatened a second goal before the break. Joe Gomez, Mac Allister and Luis Diaz all fired narrowly wide from long range, while Grbic pushed away Dominik Szoboszlai’s fierce drive before Kelleher kept out Jayden Bogle at the other end.
There was also an element of good fortune as the visitors snatched an equaliser 13 minutes into the second half, with Bradley deflecting Gustavo Hamer’s header through Kelleher’s legs.
Grbic saved Virgil van Dijk’s header while substitute Andrew Robertson fired a Harvey Elliott cross wide as Liverpool looked to regain the lead.
They moved ahead in spectacular fashion as Robertson’s cross ricocheted kindly for Mac Allister, who arrowed a 20-yard rocket into Grbic’s top-left corner.
Mac Allister went close again as his free-kick rattled the crossbar soon after, but it was Gakpo who sealed the points when he drifted into the area unmarked to nod home Robertson's deep cross.
Sheff Utd remain bottom, 10 points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |
Everton
EVE
|
38 | -11 | 40 |
| 16 |
Brentford
BRE
|
38 | -9 | 39 |
| 17 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
38 | -18 | 32 |
| 18 |
Luton
LUT
|
38 | -33 | 26 |
| 19 |
Burnley
BUR
|
38 | -37 | 24 |
| 20 |
Sheffield Utd
SHU
|
38 | -69 | 16 |
Club reports
Next Premier League fixtures
Key facts
Liverpool have won more matches (16) and scored more goals (59) in all competitions in 2024 than any other side across Europe’s big-five leagues.
Sheffield United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 39 away Premier League matches – a 1-0 win at Everton in May 2021 – conceding 83 goals across those games.
Alexis Mac Allister has been involved in at least one goal in each of his last six Premier League appearances (3 goals, 4 assists), while he's been involved in 10 goals in his last 10 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions (5 goals, 5 assists).
Sheffield United have made nine errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season, the most of any side. Six of those have been made by goalkeepers (5 for Foderingham, 1 for Grbic).