WHERE IS Andy Gray WHEN YOU NEED HIM? He’d have been in his “what a hit son” mode at Anfield.

Gray’s most famous sentence came over two decades ago, when Steven Gerrard scored a miraculous goal against Olympiacos to salvage Liverpool’s Euro dream.

Liverpool’s stunning comeback against Sheffield United at Anfield has had a lasting influence, culminating in Champions League glory in Istanbul.

However, Alexis MacAllister’s net-busting missile to put the Reds back in front just as their title hopes were fading surely helped.

The 20-yard powerplay saved them from losing a game against the Premier League’s bottom-tier team.

Forget Cody Gakpo’s 88-minute header. That made things appear far easier than they were for such a significant portion of the final squeaky bum second half.

The jaw-dropping strike that nearly blew the roof off the Kop was the true difference.

Jurgen Klopp, Mac Allister’s teammates, and the entire Anfield crowd knew it. Everyone who supported Manchester City or Arsenal did as well.

Conor Bradley’s unexpected own goal appeared to give Sheffield United the unlikeliest point of their lives while also giving Liverpool’s championship contenders a shot in the arm.

Bradley had put Gustavo Hamer’s simple and harmless header across the Kop box beyond his own goalie, and what appeared to be a routine victory for the Reds had suddenly transformed into an embarrassing blunder. ‘B SPORT DARWIN L.F.C standard chartered’

Then, with panic spreading throughout this most famous of venues, the ball dropped to Mac Allister, who was waiting on the edge of a packed penalty area.

The Argentine midfielder will never hit a sweeter ball than the powerful shot that sailed past Ivo Grbic and into the top corner.

They’ve seen some wild celebrations here throughout the years. They experienced some unforgettable European nights.

The second Mac Allister rocket, which rippled the net and nearly tore it from its moorings, will be remembered as long as the others.

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Because up until that point, it was threatening to be an evening they remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Only Liverpool will know how it got to that point. They may have required a fluke goal to get ahead, but until Hamer and Bradley’s odd combination, they were never in danger of losing the lead.

A goal that will provide Blades goalkeeper Grbic with plenty of terror moments of his own – and completely unexpected.

When Jack Robinson rolled a ball back to him from just inside his own half, there was no danger.

Sure, Darwin Nunez set out to track him down, but the Uruguayan striker’s dash was more symbolic than fast.

Perhaps that was the problem. If the Croatian goalkeeper had been hurried into a slash downfield, he could have avoided embarrassment.

However, he dithered and dawdled until Nunez arrived, and you can imagine what happened next.

The Reds forward had his back to the ball when Grbic released it, and he couldn’t believe his luck when it struck him and rolled awkwardly into the empty net.

Not one for any Goal of the Season list, but when you’re pursuing the crown, it’s as valuable as a 30-yard screamer.

On the touchline, Blades manager Chris Wilder twisted on his heels and gave forth the most helpless and sincere sigh.

You’ve heard that when you’re down, everything works against you. And with that combination of luck and laziness, it’s just a matter of time until they are.

From then on, it was clearly a matter of how many. The Blades cleared it, and Liverpool attacked. However, they continued to waste opportunities.

And when the lead is a single goal, there is always some hope, no matter how fragile or fleeting. And as long as the Blades were within touching distance, they might pray.

One that was repaid 12 minutes after the interval when the Blades took a puncher’s chance and hit the Reds square on the chin.LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Thursday, April 4, 2024: Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sheffield United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Hamer got things started with a fantastic pass swung to James McAtee, on loan from Manchester City, on the right wing and ten yards into the opposition half.

His delivery – a looping, spinning cross past the far post – was even more astonishing, given Liverpool’s sudden lack of numbers.LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Thursday, April 4, 2024: Darwin Nunez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sheffield United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

When Hamer tried to head across goal, Bradley stuck out a leg that landed between Caoimhin Kelleher’s legs.

Suddenly, everything was square. Suddenly, the title faded away. Suddenly, Mac Allister emerged from nowhere, like a caped crusader, to save the day. ‘FOOTBALL JOE 1 EVES &FIXTURES adia JONES FOOTBALL FootbalIJOE @FootbalIJOE Saw a tweet featuring a pic Mac Allister saying the number 10 shirt isn’t what it used to be and he’s been dropping masterclasses ever since…’

What a hit, son. Gakpo’s header provided some breathing room in the final stages, but that was when everything changed again. Next stop, Old Trafford.