Liverpool have returned to the top of the Premier League table after battling to a 3-1 win over Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday night.
On paper, the Reds were heavy favourites against a team at the foot of the Premier League table and looking destined for an immediate return to the Championship.
However, Liverpool didn’t blow the Blades away. Not on the scoresheet anyway. They boasted 83 percent of possession, but for a while, they struggled to break their opponents down.
The Reds did take the lead in the first half, but were pegged back just before the hour mark and needed a moment a magic to get back in front in the 76th minute of the game.
Since the five substitutions rule came into play in the Premier League, Klopp has been eager to make the most of it. And they’ve certainly made an impact for the Reds.
A Sky Sports article from 7 March noted how, at the time of writing, Liverpool had made 119 substitutions and 22 goals came from those who came off the bench.
On Thursday, Klopp made some inspired substitutions, with Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones adding the energy the Reds needed to break the Sheff United resistance.
In addition, Andrew Robertson – who also came off the bench – provided the assist for fellow substitute Gakpo to make it 3-1.
Jamie Carragher took to X after the game to praise Klopp for being “better than anyone” else in making game-changing substitutions.
