Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield United: Reds gain victory to move top of the Premier League


Darwin Nunez scoring for Liverpool
Darwin Nunez’s goal for Liverpool was his 18th in all competitions for the Reds this season

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

  1. Squad number17Player nameJones
  2. Squad number18Player nameGakpo
  3. Squad number19Player nameElliott
  4. Squad number26Player nameRobertson

Sheffield United

  1. Squad number13Player nameGrbic

  2. Squad number30Player nameHolgate

  3. Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic

  4. Squad number19Player nameRobinson

  5. Squad number20Player nameBogle

  6. Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza

  7. Squad number24Player nameArblaster

  8. Squad number8Player nameHamer

  9. Squad number5Player nameTrusty

  10. Squad number28Player nameMcAtee

  11. Squad number11Player nameBrereton

  1. Squad number9Player nameMcBurnie

  2. Squad number23Player nameOsborn

  3. Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane

  4. Squad number32Player nameOsula

  5. 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

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