In a critical Premier League match, Alexis Mac Allister demonstrated his midfield prowess, scoring a decisive goal that saw Liverpool once again establishing their dominance in the tournament. Ultimately besting Sheffield United with a 3-1 score, the team led by Jurgen Klopp had to put in significant efforts, with Mac Allister’s exceptional strike at the 76th minute securing their upper hand.
A World Cup winner, Mac Allister’s recent performances in forward positions have proven to be instrumental. His goal in this match exhibited parallels with Steven Gerrard against Olympiacos in 2005, with the same elation of potential implications. Although the full consequences of the current victory can only be assessed after the following eight matches, Liverpool managed to stay ahead by two points against Arsenal and three from Manchester City.
As matches are dwindling, each win chips away at the room for mistakes further for their competitors. In light of this, Allister’s exceptional goal, which saw the ball hit the top corner of the penalty area, was crucial—especially after Arsenal and Manchester City had both secured victories on Wednesday.
Darwin Nunez’s 18th goal this season, coming from a misstep by goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, saw Liverpool leading 17 minutes into the game. However, Conor Bradley’s own goal soon after the intermission began to stir the waters. Mac Allister’s composure played a vital role in assuaging the rising tension, and Cody Gakpo’s subsequent late goal served as a comforting addition to the goal difference, which could be hugely meaningful.
This season has seen Sheffield United let in a dizzying 80 goals, outstripping any other top-flight team and a staggering 14 during the four recent matches. Their below-par performance in the first half belied their position at the bottom of the league, underscored by missed opportunities and repeated errors. Their inevitable return to the Championship seemed decided as early as the first half, despite Brighton – the next visitors – scoring in under two minutes. Sheffield United’s former Liverpool academy player Jack Robinson’s flick to James McAtee initially held promise, but the direct shot at Caoimhin Kelleher a few yards away ended in naught.
In a tense match, Ben Brereton-Diaz narrowly missed scoring from a corner kick. Although scoring may not have sealed a victory for the team with the worst defensive record in the Premier League, it could have offered them some hope. Instead, they made a costly mistake following an attempted shot by Mohamed Salah that was deflected by Grbic, the goalkeeper for United.
Perhaps overthinking his move, the Croatian keeper dangerously delayed a back-pass clearance which provided the perfect opportunity for Nunez to exploit. Nunez’s aggressive press led to a hasty clearance that rebounded off him and into an empty goal. Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Diaz also took their shots, while Ryan Gravenberch, who has had limited play recently, took a feeble shot at Grbic, instead of passing to Nunez.
As the game crept towards its conclusion, Jayden Bogle forced a save from Kelleher at the bottom left corner of his post. This seemed like a minor concession until Gus Hamer, outleaping Bradley, scored with a deflected header off the defender that squeezed through Kelleher’s legs in the 58th minute.
During this time, preparation for substitutes Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott, who was marking his 21st birthday, had already started. Shockingly, top scorer Mohamed Salah was also called off, leaving him quite perplexed. This strategic switch, partly made in preparation for Sunday’s match against Manchester United, proved beneficial as the hosts began to exploit more openings on the sides. Virgil van Dijk’s wide header and Bradley’s off-target volley from Elliott’s far pass were among the chances created.
Anel Ahmedhodzic’s faulty clearance inadvertently set up the winning situation. The defender’s mishandled attempt to relieve his box of the ball ended up bouncing off Diaz, setting up the perfect opportunity for Mac Allister to get his fourth goal in five games.
Mac Allister tasted the crossbar with a free kick before Gakpo sealed the game off in extra time.