Liverpool’s new Steven Gerrard
When Liverpool needed a hero, Alexis Mac Allister rose to the occasion. An all-action performance was capped with the most sensational of strikes that had a touch of Steven Gerrard’s best goals.
Possession rolled loose to the edge of the penalty area, and Mac Allister cut across the ball to power it right into the top corner of the goal. It was reminiscent of exactly how Gerrard would decide the biggest of games right at the end.
Cody Gakpo added gloss to the scoreline with a late header as Liverpool avoided a shock to stay top on 70 points.
Darwin Nunez takes advantage of major error
There was little evidence of Liverpool breaking down a sturdy Sheffield United defence until Ivo Grbic had a moment to forget. The goalkeeper took too long on the ball but still had plenty of passing options available.
Instead, Grbic struck a long clearance straight at Darwin Nunez, who was attempting to close him down. The ball trickled into the net to give the Blades a mountain to climb in the second half.
Mohamed Salah’s night to forget
Mohamed Salah struggled to get into the game at Anfield and was remarkably substituted immediately after Sheffield United’s equaliser – despite the need for a goal. The winger had several long-range efforts sail wide on a frustrating personal evening.
Salah played his first full 90 minutes since January in Sunday’s victory over Brighton and that was perhaps part of the reason for his withdrawal just prior to the hour.
Liverpool will need their star man to return to his usual form for the final month-and-a-half of the season. He was let off the hook by Mac Allister.
Conor Bradley and Caoimhín Kelleher may also be thanking the Argentine. Liverpool’s usually impressive right-back allowed Gustavo Hamer to peel around the back, with his header coming off the youngster and going in through Kelleher’s legs. It was a mess of a goal with which Liverpool tend not to be associated.
A positive response to Arsenal and Man City
Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 victory over Luton on Wednesday, while Man City expended slightly more effort against Villa – although eventually recorded a 4-1 victory over the Champions League chasers.
Those results piled the pressure on Liverpool to maintain a 100 per cent record among the title chasers for this week’s fixtures.
But while this performance against relegation-bound Sheffield United was not a hugely emphatic replication of their title rivals’s victories, it was certainly a positive response. Ultimately, Liverpool had to win and they did exactly that.
Joe Gomez’s versatility proves vital
Joe Gomez’s ability to play in several positions has proved critical to Liverpool maintaining their form this season. The defender – who has regained his England place – has played at right-back, centre-back, left-back and in midfield.
Gomez started in a left-back position against Sheffield United but given Liverpool’s dominance in possession, he spent much of the game tucked inside into a midfield role. His technical ability and intelligence helped Liverpool keep the ball.
A first senior goal still evades the 26-year-old, though. He took aim on a couple of occasions but came no closer to breaking his unusual barren record.
Late goals could decide title race
Goals by Mac Allister and Gakpo were the 25th and 26th times that Liverpool have scored in the final 15 minutes of matches this season. That ability to go all the way in matches and continually come up with big moments is what decides title races.
