It was one of those moments which, not that they needed it really, just confirmed to the travelling Sheffield United supporters that this is just not going to be their season.
Chris Wilder’s side showcased all-too rare levels of belief and resilience at Anfield, threatening at one point to turn a 1-0 goal deficit into one of the most unexpected wins in recent Premier League history after Conor Bradley deflected past Caoimhin Kelleher just before the hour mark.
That Sheffield United ended up with nothing but pride to show from a brave and battling display away to Jurgen Klopp’s table-topping side, then, is largely testament to the ‘world-class’ talent at Liverpool’s disposal.
Alexis Mac Allister saves Liverpool vs Sheffield United
“It was a world-class finish,” was Wilder’s response to a fizzing strike from Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentina international smashing into the top corner with a finish straight out of the Steven Gerrard playbook as Liverpool battled to a very hard-earned – and potentially decisive – victory (TNT Sports).
“We knew how the game was going to go. We knew we had to give up the ball and that they had players who could hurt us and we had to suffer.
“You have to go through those periods, stay in the game and take it deep. Ride your luck and hopefully things fall for you, and it becomes a night where you can get something from the game.
“Unfortunately, (Mac Allister produces) a world-class finish from a World Cup winner.”
Mac Allister, who appears to be growing in stature with every week that goes by, followed up Sunday’s talismanic display against former employers Brighton and Hove Albion with an effort to rival that wondergoal at home to Fulham earlier in the campaign. The £35 million bargain signing now has six goals and seven assists to show from his debut season on Merseyside, and has recorded goal contributions in each of his last six Premier League outings.
Impressive cameo from Andy Robertson
Wilder was also keen to highlight the influence of Andy Robertson, the long-serving left-back who came off the bench moments after Bradley’s own goal and helped turn the tide in Liverpool’s favour with a series of trademark barnstorming bursts down the flank.
“Robertson coming on the pitch, the power and the pace of the Premier League, that’s been our Achilles heel all season,” the former Middlesbrough boss adds. “And yet again Liverpool are finding goals late on and we’re struggling to hang on in there; recovery runs late on, you’ve seen our players cramping up and struggling to get back on.
“From my point of view, it’s a difficult one to take. You want the players to give everything that they’ve got, and you’ve certainly seen that from the team tonight.
“They’ve given everything they’ve got over the last three games but physically the gap where you’d need to be, I’d like to be and want us to be and where we are at the moment, it hurts. It’s hurt all season and yet again it’s cost us tonight.”
Liverpool are now two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of Manchester City ahead of Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford.
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