By David Lynch
FROM ANFIELD - Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Sheffield United.
The Reds looked to be in for a straightforward evening when Darwin Nunez forced the ball home in chasing down goalkeeper Ivo Grbic's clearance in the first half.
But, after Conor Bradley put through his own net just before the hour mark, a stunning finish from Alexis Mac Allister late in the game was required to get the hosts back in front late on.
And the points were wrapped up at the death when Cody Gakpo headed home a sumptuous Andy Robertson cross.
Here were the best and worst players for Liverpool on the night.
Liverpool's best player vs Sheffield United
Alexis Mac Allister
Not quite as influential as usual, but adapted to the holding role brilliantly again and scored a stunning winner.
At 1-1, Chris Wilder's side continued to create danger, with only the final pass eluding them during a number of promising breaks following the equaliser.
But Liverpool have made a habit of pulling rabbits out of hats during this title charge, and repeated the trick again to get their noses in front with the clock ticking down.
If there was an element of luck in the way the ball fell to Mac Allister, there was nothing fortunate about the finish he hammered into the top corner. It was a goal that seemed to break Sheffield United's spirit.
Honourable mention
Darwin Nunez
Not everything came off for him but he grabbed a goal through a grit and determination that summed up his efforts.
Grbic had made a fine start to the match with a save to deny Mohamed Salah. Unfortunately for the Sheffield United goalkeeper, his next contribution was a disastrous one: a kick straight into an onrushing Nunez that bounced back towards his net and in.
Liverpool's worst player vs Sheffield United
Ryan Gravenberch
There were the occasional flashes of brilliance involving typically quick feet but did not do enough to stamp his mark on the game.
Made his first start since returning from an ankle injury and was replaced by Robertson on the hour mark after Sheffield United had equalised.
Dishonourable mention
Conor Bradley
Wasn't quite as influential in an attacking sense as he usually is but kept making the runs.
Sheffield United finding it easy to marshal Liverpool's threat while providing enough of their own at the start of the second half.
And that told when the Blades grabbed a deserved equaliser when Gustavo Hamer's back-post header forced Bradley to put through his own goal.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Liverpool's best and worst players from late win at home to Sheffield United.
