Liverpool enjoyed a superb evening in the Premier League, heading back to the top of the table after beating Sheffield United.
At one point it had looked as though the Reds might be sleepwalking themselves out of the title race.
Having gone ahead via a bizarre Darwin Nunez goal, Liverpool then let the Blades back into it, Conor Bradley unfortunate to prod past Caoimhin Kelleher and into his own goal.
But, thankfully, perhaps owing to a little formation tweak from Jurgen Klopp and a lot to Alexis Mac Allister right boot, the Reds hit the front again. Cody Gakpo added a third and that’s the way it stayed.
Liverpool’s wasn’t the only Premier League game on Thursday evening, though. Over at Stamford Bridge, a classic was unfolding. After leading 2-0, Chelsea were 3-2 down heading into the seventh minute of injury time. From there, chaos took over, Cole Palmer levelling from the spot before firing home a deflected winner on 101 minutes. Queue pandemonium at the Bridge, and apparently at Anfield, too.
What happened in the Anfield tunnel
Obviously, Chelsea’s goal has no bearing at all to Liverpool’s standing in the table. The Blues and United can only dream of being able to challenge the Reds this season.
Nevertheless, after being beaten in similar fashion against Erik ten Hag’s team last month, it sounds like someone inside of Liverpool might have been enjoying Palmer’s late flurry.
According to journalist Lewis Steele on X, there was a veritable party going on inside the Anfield tunnel when Palmer won the game for Chelsea.
“Loud noise coming from the tunnel at Anfield as Manchester United concede two last-minute goals,” Steele reports.
With Liverpool also set to take on United on Sunday, there could have been an added reason for them to celebrate. They’ll hope that the painful nature of the defeat will have a knock-on effect for the weekend.
Chris Sutton has already predicted the Reds to exact revenge for their FA Cup loss in March. Maybe this now makes that even more likely.
When do Liverpool play Manchester United
The Reds have set themselves up for another game week sitting atop the Premier League table. But by the time they play this weekend, they could have slipped down again.
Both Manchester City and Arsenal play ahead of Liverpool, with City in the Saturday lunchtime slot and Arsenal in the evening fixture on the same day.
Klopp then takes his team to Old Trafford for a 4.30pm kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
United will be wounded after this one, it’s no way to lose a football match. Liverpool will have to capitalise on that as much as they can.