Liverpool reclaimed top spot with a 3-1 victory thanks to Mac Allister’s incredible strike and solid defense from Kelleher.
Sheffield United almost shocked Liverpool early on, but a goalie error and Mac Allister’s brilliance sealed the win.
Mac Allister’s stunning goal and almost brace, along with Gakpo’s header, secured a crucial win for Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool regained their spot at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United and had Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half strike to thank during their crucial top flight encounter at Anfield.
In what would have been a hammer blow in their title hopes, the home side nearly fell behind inside the opening minute of the match, as a throw-in was flicked on to James McAtee. His volley, however, was aimed straight at Caoimhin Kelleher, who managed to save it well.
Despite the Blades’ bright start, they then fell behind because of a calamitous error from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic. After the ball was played back to him, the shot-stopper dithered before attempting to launch the ball downfield. That allowed Darwin Nunez to close the distance, meaning that the ball ricocheted off the Uruguayan and rolled into the back of the net.
Liverpool seemed in complete control after the opener, barely looking threatened by the visitors. But Chris Wilder’s side conjured a goal out of nothing in the second half after Gustavo Hamer crept around the back of Bradley and headed it against the full-back who, in turn, put the ball through Kelleher’s legs.
And while the title seemed to be slipping out of Jurgen Klopp’s grasp, Alexis Mac Allister stepped up to the plate. Andrew Robertson’s delivered ball was cleared by a Blades defender before it ricocheted off Luis Diaz, landing perfectly in the vicinity of Mac Allister.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder lashed an audacious effort, packed with tons of venom, goalward, and it ended up far into the top right corner. Grbic gave it his best attempt to thwart it but had no chance – Mac Allister’s strike was inch-perfect, and it indeed gave Liverpool some much-needed breathing space in what should have been a routine victory.
In the 84th minute, the 2022 World Cup winner almost managed to bag another scorcher with his free kick effort reverberating the upright, leaving the Sheffield goalkeeper helpless. If that had rippled the back of the net, Mac Allister would have notched one of the best braces of Premier League history.
Cody Gakpo then put the game to bed in the 89th minute as the Dutchman’s headed effort exuded a sigh of relief, mixed with a roar of sheer elation, from the Anfield faithful.
