Liverpool have returned to the top of the Premier League table after battling to a 3-1 win over Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday night.
On paper, the Reds were heavy favourites against a team at the foot of the Premier League table and looking destined for an immediate return to the Championship.
However, Liverpool didn’t blow the Blades away. Not on the scoresheet anyway. They boasted 83 percent of possession, but for a while, they struggled to break their opponents down.
The Reds did take the lead in the first half, but were pegged back just before the hour mark and needed a moment a magic to get back in front in the 76th minute of the game.
Alexis Mac Allister fired home a ferocious effort from the edge of the box to make it 2-1, after which Cody Gakpo rounded off the scoring to make all three points safe.
Prior to Mac Allister and Gakpo’s goals, Darwin Nunez had opened the scoring on 17 minutes, but an unfortunate Conor Bradley own goal got the Blades back into the game in the 58th minute.
What did Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp do against Sheffield United that was so effective?
Since the five substitutions rule came into play in the Premier League, Klopp has been eager to make the most of it. And it has certainly made an impact for the Reds.
A Sky Sports article from 7 March noted how, at the time of writing, Liverpool had made 119 substitutions and 22 goals came from those who came off the bench.
On Thursday, Klopp made some inspired substitutions, with Gakpo and Curtis Jones adding the energy the Reds needed to break the Sheffield United resistance.
In addition, Andrew Robertson – who also came off the bench – provided the assist for fellow substitute Gakpo to make it 3-1.
Jamie Carragher took to X after the game to praise Klopp for being “better than anyone” else in making game-changing substitutions.
Another job well done for Liverpool, who return to the top of the Premier League table.
With each of the top three having played 30 league fixtures, the Reds are now top on 70 points, while Arsenal are second on 68 and Manchester City are third on 67.
Klopp and co are next in action on Sunday, when they head to Old Trafford for one of the most hotly-contested fixtures in the English calendar, Manchester United v Liverpool.
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