Liverpool battled to victory over bottom-placed Sheffield United to move back to the top of the Premier League and maintain control of the title race.
The hosts were gifted a 17th-minute lead when Darwin Nunez charged down goalkeeper Ivo Grbic’s clearance with the ball rebounding into the net.
Despite having 84% of possession in the first half and wasting numerous chances, Liverpool conceded a 58th-minute equaliser as Gustavo Hamer’s header bounced off Conor Bradley and into his own net.
But Argentina’s World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister – nominated for March’s Premier League Player of the Month award – produced a stunning 20-yard strike which flew into the top corner to put the hosts back in front with 14 minutes left.
Mac Allister nearly grabbed a wonderful second but saw his curling free-kick bounce off the crossbar.
But it did not matter as substitute Cody Gakpo headed in Liverpool’s third in the 90th minute to seal the victory.
The result takes the Reds two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, with each side having eight league matches left.
More importantly, it keeps Liverpool’s title destiny in their own hands.
They know if they beat Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wolves, it will secure their second Premier League title and confirm them as top-flight English champions for a 20th time.
More to follow.
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Liverpool
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Squad number17Player nameJones
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Squad number18Player nameGakpo
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Squad number19Player nameElliott
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Squad number26Player nameRobertson
Sheffield United
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Squad number13Player nameGrbic
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Squad number30Player nameHolgate
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Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic
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Squad number19Player nameRobinson
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Squad number20Player nameBogle
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Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza
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Squad number24Player nameArblaster
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Squad number8Player nameHamer
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Squad number5Player nameTrusty
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Squad number28Player nameMcAtee
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Squad number11Player nameBrereton
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Squad number9Player nameMcBurnie
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Squad number23Player nameOsborn
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Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane
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Squad number32Player nameOsula
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Squad number35Player nameBrooks
Line-ups
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 62Kelleher
- 84Bradley
- 5Konaté
- 4van Dijk
- 2GomezSubstituted forGakpoat 73′minutes
- 8SzoboszlaiSubstituted forJonesat 73′minutes
- 10Mac Allister
- 38GravenberchSubstituted forRobertsonat 60′minutes
- 11SalahSubstituted forElliottat 60′minutes
- 9Núñez
- 7Díaz
Substitutes
- 13Adrián
- 17Jones
- 18Gakpo
- 19Elliott
- 21Tsimikas
- 26Robertson
- 42Clark
- 76Danns
- 78Quansah
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 13Grbic
- 30HolgateSubstituted forBen Slimaneat 87′minutes
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 19Robinson
- 20Bogle
- 21de Souza Costa
- 24Arblaster
- 8HamerSubstituted forOsbornat 62′minutes
- 5TrustySubstituted forBrooksat 78′minutes
- 28McAteeSubstituted forMcBurnieat 63′minutesBooked at 87mins
- 11BreretonSubstituted forOsulaat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 9McBurnie
- 16Norwood
- 18Foderingham
- 23Osborn
- 25Ben Slimane
- 27Larouci
- 29Curtis
- 32Osula
- 35Brooks
Live Text
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Match ends, Liverpool 3, Sheffield United 1.
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Second Half ends, Liverpool 3, Sheffield United 1.
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Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ben Osborn (Sheffield United).
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Attempt missed. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) header from very close range is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Cody Gakpo with a cross.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Jayden Bogle.
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Curtis Jones (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United).
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Goal! Liverpool 3, Sheffield United 1. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Andy Robertson with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cody Gakpo.
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Attempt missed. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Harvey Elliott with a cross following a fast break.
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Substitution, Sheffield United. Anis Ben Slimane replaces Mason Holgate.
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Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United).
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Attempt missed. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cody Gakpo with a headed pass.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Ivo Grbic.
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Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Hand ball by Ben Osborn (Sheffield United).
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Mason Holgate.