KOP ARE LIVERPOOL .....
Alexis stunner gives Liverpool title boost
SHEFFIELD UNITED were all in yellow but Alexis Mac Allister’s stunning strike ensured the Blades were no banana skin for Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasing Reds.
This was job done even if there was a little scare. Liverpool ticked off another win and moved a step closer to a 20th English league crown as they moved back to the summit.
Their rivals Arsenal and Manchester City won’t have been holding their breath for a slip-up here in the race against the Premier League’s bottom side.
But it was a mistake from Blades keeper Ivo Grbic which gifted the hosts the lead at Anfield in the 17th minute.
Quite what the Croatian shot stopper was doing when he lashed one off the backside of a jumping Darwin Nunez was anyone’s guess and the ball found the net.
Liverpool looked in control and calm then, out of nowhere, a second half Conor Bradley own goal must have even got Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta dreaming.
But up stepped Mac Allister with a match-winning moment.
Smashed
The Argentina ace – a key player in this crunch part of the season – smashed one into the top corner from the edge of the area with 14 minutes to go.
Cody Gakpo got the third in stoppage time as he was left in space to cruise in and head in Andy Robertson’s cross.
Anfield erupted, nine games to go went to eight and Klopp’s last hurrah as Reds boss continues.
Next stop on his farewell tour is Old Trafford and Manchester United. But they were thankful to get past this bottom-of-the-league United.
It would have been a mighty smash-and-grab from Chris Wilder’s relegation scrappers so there’s no doubt the three points went to the deserved team as the Reds went back two clear of Arsenal at the top.
The Blades weren’t going to get many chances but they got one as early as the first minute when James McAtee should have scored after a Jack Robinson cross was flicked on.
But Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher — making his 24th appearance of the season which is as many as No.1 Alisson — turned it away with his feet.
There were other chances that came and went. Mo Salah was shooting on sight and Nunez had a low effort well saved.
Dominik Szoboszlai struck one from distance but this time Gbric was on form to push away.
The Blades looked well and truly blunted.
Liverpool have only dropped