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Dream goal prevents Reds embarrassment
Turbulent evening at Anfield Road: Liverpool FC narrowly avoided embarrassment against bottom team Sheffield United.
Slapstick, own goal and dream goal: Liverpool FC just averted an embarrassing slip-up in the Premier League title race and defeated bottom team Sheffield United 3-1 (1-0) after a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Alexis Mac Allister (76th) became the match winner with a cracker from the edge of the penalty area into the right angle.
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In the table, outgoing coach Jürgen Klopp’s team pushed Arsenal FC back from the top of the table thanks to the threesome. The Gunners beat Luton Town 2-0 on Wednesday.
“It wasn’t a feast for the eyes. We have to do it better, clearer and more compellingly – and we don’t have that,” said Klopp self-critically on Sky. “In the end we earned the three points. But for now, results count. We didn’t play the stars from heaven.”
Liverpool losing a point against the blatant outsiders would have been a sensation. Especially since the Reds’ dominance was overwhelming. According to Opta, Liverpool set a Premier League record with 83.1 percent possession since data collection began in the 2003/04 season.
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Liverpool benefits from goalkeeper mistakes
Darwin Nunez (17th) gave the Reds the lead thanks to active support from Sheffield keeper Ivo Grbic. The goalkeeper shot down the Liverpool attacker during a break just outside the edge of the penalty area, and the ball then landed in the net.
The equalizer was no less strange: Gustavo Hamer headed a long cross from a tight angle rather harmlessly towards the goal, but the header hit Conor Bradley, who unfortunately directed the ball through the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher into his own goal.
Mac Allister’s hammer finally brought Klopp’s team back to winning ways. Cody Gakpo (90th) made the decision shortly before the end after Mac Allister had hit the crossbar with a free kick (86th). “Both goals were wonderful,” said Klopp, praising the late goals.