LIVERPOOL 3-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED: Alexis Mac Allister’s stunner ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame a little scare against the relegation-threatened Blades and remained top of the Premier League

Sheffield United were all in yellow but Alexis Mac Allister’s stunning strike ensured the Blades were no banana skin for Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasing Reds.

This was job done even if there was a little scare.

Liverpool ticked off another win and moved a step closer to a 20th English league crown as they moved back to the summit.

Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the crucial second goal (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Their rivals Arsenal and Manchester City won’t have been holding their breath for a slip up here in the race against the Premier League ’s bottom side.

But it was a cock-up from Blades keeper Ivo Grbic which gifted the hosts the lead at Anfield in the 17th minute. Quite what the Croatian shot stopper was doing when he lashed one off the backside of a jumping Darwin Nunez’s was anyone’s guess and the ball found the net.

Liverpool looked in control and calm then, out of nowhere, a second half Conor Bradley own goal must have even got Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta dreaming. But up stepped Mac Allister with a match-winning moment fit to move the Reds back to the top of the table.

The Argentina ace – a key player in this crunch part of the season – smashed one into the top corner from the edge of the area with 14 minutes to go. Cody Gakpo got the third in stoppage time as he was left in space to cruise in and head in Andy Robertson’s cross.

Anfield erupted, nine games to go went to eight and Klopp’s last hurrah as Reds boss continues as Anfield sang ‘Liverpool, top of the league, Liverpool, Liverpool top of the league’.

Next stop on his farewell tour is Old Trafford and Manchester United. But they were thankful to get past this bottom-of-the-league United here.

Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring their side’s second goal (
Image:
PA)
It would have been a mighty smash and grab from Chris Wilder’s relegation scrappers so there’s no doubt the three points went to the deserved team as the Reds went back two clear of Arsenal at the top.

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The Blades weren’t going to get many chances but they got one as early as the first minute when James McAtee should have scored after a Jack Robinson cross was flicked on. But Kop keeper Caoimhin Kelleher – making his 24th appearance of the season which is as many as No.1 Alisson – turned it away with his feet.

Then Liverpool settled yet it was a gift of an opener thanks to Grbic’s shocking kick right at Nunez. There were other chances that came and went. Mo Salah was shooting on sight and Nunez had a low effort well saved. Dominik Szoboszlai struck one from distance but this time Gbric was on form to push away.

The Blades looked well and truly blunted.

Liverpool celebrate Cody Gakpo’s third (
Image:
Getty Images)
Liverpool have only dropped points to Arsenal and Manchester City since a December draw with rivals United. So an equaliser for the visitors wasn’t in the script but it came just before the hour mark.

A cross from McAtee was high but Gustavo Hamer nodded it down and it hit Bradley on the ankle before going through Kelleher’s legs. Suddenly the mood switched inside Anfield. Concern had replaced the calm. But they just had to wait a little longer to be back on track.

Premier League title race
1. Liverpool – P30, 70pts (GD +42)
2. Arsenal – P30, 68pts (GD +48)
3. Man City – P30, 67pts (GD +38)

Arsenal’s remaining fixtures

Brighton [A] – Saturday 6 April (5:30pm)
Aston Villa [H] – Sunday 14 April (4:30pm)
Wolves [A] – Saturday 20 April (7:30pm)
Chelsea [H] – Tuesday 23 April (8pm)
Tottenham [A] – Sunday 28 April (2pm)
Bournemouth [H] – Saturday 4 May (TBC)
Manchester United [A] – Saturday 11 May (TBC)
Everton [H] – Sunday 19 May (4pm)

Manchester City’s remaining fixtures

Crystal Palace [A] – Saturday 6 April (12:30pm)
Luton [H] – Saturday 13 April (3pm)
Brighton [A] – Thursday 25 April (8pm)
Nottingham Forest [A] – Sunday 28 April (4:30pm)
Wolves [H] – Saturday 4 May (TBC)
Fulham [A] – Saturday 11 May (TBC)
West Ham [H] – Sunday 19 May (4pm)

Liverpool’s remaining fixtures

Manchester United [A] – Sunday 7 April (3:30pm)
Crystal Palace [H] – Sunday 14 April (2pm)
Fulham [A] – Sunday 21 April (4:30pm)
Everton [A] – Wednesday 24 April (8pm)
West Ham [A] – Saturday 27 April (12:30pm)
Tottenham [H] – Saturday 4 May (TBC)
Aston Villa [A] – Saturday 11 May (TBC)
Wolves [H] – Sunday 19 May (4pm)

Klopp turned to his bench and it was one of those subs in Robertson who went close but his volley was off target with 15 minutes to go.

Mac Allister then found the net before cracking the bar from a free-kick and it was Gakpo who closed the show and ensured no slip up here for the Reds in this title race.