Liverpool vs Sheffield United LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Alexis Mac Allister wins it
Jurgen Klopp’s men will move back to the top of the table with a victory over the Blades
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Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister scored the crucial goal which helped return Liverpool to the top of the Premier League and ease any nerves about an early wobble in the title run-in.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were by far the better team against Sheffield United but had to sweat for their 3-1 victory, with a top-class strike from the Argentinian with 14 minutes to go giving them control. Darwin Nunez’s 18th of the season – courtesy of a mistake from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic – had given the hosts a 17th-minute lead, only for Conor Bradley’s own goal just after half-time to ratchet up the tension.
The classy Mac Allister, one of the most composed players on the pitch, relieved that and substitute Cody Gakpo’s late effort was an added boost to the goal difference which could yet be crucial.
Follow all the reaction below plus get the latest odds and tips for the Premier League here:
Alexis Mac Allister provides another Liverpool late act for unconventional route back to the top
Alexis Mac Allister has an assist to his name in a World Cup final. Should he add a Premier League medal to the most prized of all, Liverpool will have even more reasons to be grateful for his assistance. When Sheffield United appeared intent on rendering this Liverpool’s worst result of the season at Anfield, Mac Allister ensured otherwise.
In a game when the first two goals bounced in off various body parts, neither remotely deliberately, his was the sweetest of strikes.
The man Jurgen Klopp had tried to nickname ‘Gary’ was watched by his near-namesake. Twenty-three years ago, Liverpool secured a treble in part because of a catalytic impact in the run-in from Gary McAllister. Now, as Liverpool look for another haul of three trophies, an Argentinian of Celtic descent has either scored, assisted or both in each of Liverpool’s last six games. His latest intervention was a goal worthy of the earlier McAllister, another midfielder of great technical quality.
An unerringly brilliant shot, rising and rifled into the top corner from edge of the box came when the bottom club had restored parity for 18 nervous minutes. It could have been part of a long-range treble: Mac Allister was inches away from scoring with a 20-yard shot in the first half and went on to rattle the bar from a free kick from 25.
It was a wonderful illustration of clean ball-striking. It came on a day when, with Wataru Endo missing, he had to reprise his role as the defensive midfielder. He instead proved a very attacking one - and a very effective one.
Mac Allister provides another Liverpool late act to send Reds back to the top
Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield United: Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo also scored as the Reds went top of the league
FT - Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield United
Liverpool are back on top and the Blades stay very much bottom - full time at Anfield and three points for the hosts.
They go two points clear of Arsenal once more, three ahead of Man City, eight matches apiece left to play.
What an end of the season it promises to be at the top.
90+6’ - Liverpool 3-1 Sheff Utd
Final moments of the night at Anfield. The Reds are next in action at Old Trafford, away to Man United on Sunday, so a win here was vital.
Elliott has been very good and spreads play again right to left, then the cross from Gakpo is met by Nunez - he heads over.
90+3' - Liverpool 3-1 Sheff Utd
Seven minutes added on at Anfield but the points are now wrapped up for the Reds. Liverpool are going back to the top of the table above Arsenal and Man City.
26 goals in the last 15 minutes of league games this term for the hosts now, after two more tonight.
Sheffield United are deflated and waiting for the inevitable.
GOAL! 90 - Liverpool 3-1 Sheff Utd
That’s the win wrapped up! Gakpo runs away from the defenders and he just needs the delivery to be good - Robertson’s ball is absolutely perfect. A 25-yard cross from the left, finds the Dutchman and his header is firm, accurate and down into the bottom corner for 3-1.
89’ - Liverpool 2-1 Sheff Utd
Last minute. Grbic flaps at a high cross and Nunez sends the loose, bouncing ball over the crossbar, with plenty of players in the way.
Diaz now releases Robertson down the left but Gakpo and Nunez can’t fashion an opening between them.
86’ - Liverpool 2-1 Sheff Utd
McBurnie goes into the book for a typicaly aggressive aerial challenge, elbows straight into the head of Konate.
Holgate is replaced by Ben Slimane. Into the final few minutes at Anfield.
82’ - Liverpool 2-1 Sheff Utd
Woodwork!
Jones turns well inside the area and feeds Gakpo; the Dutchman’s first shot is blocked and the second fizzes over the crossbar.
Mac Allister then curls a freekick over the wall - and smacks it against the upright!
GOAL! 78’ - Liverpool 2-1 Sheff Utd
Elliott swings a brilliant cross right to left and fellow sub Robertson is running onto it on the volley - but he smashes it past the near post for a goal kick.
Seconds later they attack the box again, it’s half cleared to the edge of the area...and Alexis Mac Allister runs onto it and barrels a hammer blow right into the top corner! Scintillating strike, 2-1 to Liverpool.
74’ - Liverpool 1-1 Sheff Utd
Another double sub for the Reds. Gomez and Szoboszlai depart, Gakpo and Curtis Jones are on. The latter makes his return from injury after a lengthy lay-off from just before the Carabao Cup final.
Nunez is fouled just outside the box, quite clearly, but the referee opts against giving anything. The Uruguayan is incredulous.
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