Liverpool achieved a Premier League record in their win against bottom-placed Sheffield United and exceeded Arsenal at the top of the table.
The Reds chasing the title got an early lead when United goalkeeper Ivo Grbic accidentally hit Darwin Nunez with a clearance, causing the ball to bounce into the net.
Sheffield United scored an equalizer against the flow of the game in the second half through a Gustavo Hamer header that deflected off Conor Bradley and went past Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher.
However, the hosts secured their 21st league win of the season and earned three points with Alexis Mac Allister’s 20-yard powerful shot and Cody Gakpo’s late header.
The win at Anfield places Jurgen Klopp’s team back at the top of the Premier League – two points ahead of Arsenal and three in front of Manchester City with eight games remaining.
Liverpool’s dominance against Sheffield United was evident, as they enjoyed 83.1% possession – the most in a Premier League since Opta started keeping records.
Klopp, as he approaches the final two months of his extensive and successful Liverpool tenure., was understandably pleased with the result and described MacAllister’s goal as ‘absolutely incredible’.
‘We had to dig very deep, but that is normal,’ he said. ‘Our attitude was good, the football was not great in a lot of moments.
‘They could have scored after 20 seconds, Caoimhin [Kelleher] makes a great save. Sheffield United played how they wanted for 90 minutes. It is difficult, but we could do better, and we did to get the win.
‘Alexis is a really good player, in the first half he was playing six but we knew we could move him slightly higher.
‘Then he scores this kind of goal, the two biggest screamers of the season have come from him. Then the free-kick directly after – absolutely incredible, what a player.’
The Premier League leaders resume their title challenge on Sunday against Manchester United, who experienced a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Chelsea this evening.
Liverpool’s title rivals both play on Saturday, with Arsenal going to Brighton and Man City facing Crystal Palace.
‘I am happy we play on Sunday, we cannot change that,’ Klopp added. ‘I don’t see the problem.
‘The game we played tonight was nothing to do with yesterday, and Sunday will be nothing to do with the other results.’
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