The English Premier League (EPL) title race has really thickened as Liverpool return to the summit with eight games left.
Liverpool were by far the better team against Sheffield United but had to sweat for their 3-1 victory. Mac Allister’s top-class strike with 14 minutes to go had given them the needed control.
The Argentine has become a hugely-influential player in the last few weeks playing in a more advanced position. Although Mac Allister had started the game as the holding midfielder before moving forward. His goal had echoes of Steven Gerrard against Olympiacos in 2005.
Whether it proves to be as significant as the one which paved the way for their Champions League win will only be discovered over the next eight games but in the short term it took Liverpool two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of Manchester City.
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With games running out every victory leaves even less margin for error for their rivals, which was why Mac Allister’s goal, an unstoppable strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area, was so important after the chasers had both won on Wednesday.
Darwin Nunez’s 18th of the season – courtesy of a mistake from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic – had given the hosts a 17th-minute lead, only for Conor Bradley’s own goal just after half-time to ratchet up the tension.
The classy Mac Allister, one of the most composed players on the pitch, relieved that and substitute Cody Gakpo’s late effort was an added boost to the goal difference which could yet be crucial.
The victory has since seen Liverpool regain their position at the summit with Arsenal and City dropping to the second and third positions respectively.