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By Michael EmonsBBC Sport at Anfield
Last updated on 4 minutes ago.From the section Premier League
Darwin Nunez's goal for Liverpool was his 18th in all competitions for the Reds this seasonLiverpool battled to victory over bottom-placed Sheffield United to move back to the top of the Premier League and maintain control of the title race.
The hosts were gifted a 17th-minute lead when Darwin Nunez charged down goalkeeper Ivo Grbic's clearance with the ball rebounding into the net.
Despite having 84% of possession in the first half and wasting numerous chances, Liverpool conceded a 58th-minute equaliser as Gustavo Hamer's header bounced off Conor Bradley and into his own net.
But Argentina's World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister - nominated for March's Premier League Player of the Month award - produced a stunning 20-yard strike which flew into the top corner to put the hosts back in front with 14 minutes left.
Mac Allister nearly grabbed a wonderful second but saw his curling free-kick bounce off the crossbar.
But it did not matter as substitute Cody Gakpo headed in Liverpool's third in the 90th minute to seal the victory.
The result takes the Reds two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, with each side having eight league matches left.
More importantly, it keeps Liverpool's title destiny in their own hands.
They know if they beat Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wolves, it will secure their second Premier League title and confirm them as top-flight English champions for a 20th time.
- Liverpool v Sheffield United as it happened, plus reaction and analysis
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Liverpool
Squad number62Player nameKelleher- Squad number84Player nameBradley
- Squad number5Player nameKonaté
Squad number4Player namevan Dijk
Squad number2Player nameGomez- Squad number8Player nameSzoboszlai
- Squad number10Player nameMac Allister
- Squad number38Player nameGravenberch
Squad number11Player nameMohamed Salah- Squad number9Player nameNúñez
- Squad number7Player nameDíaz
- Squad number17Player nameJones
- Squad number18Player nameGakpo
- Squad number19Player nameElliott
Squad number26Player nameRobertson
Sheffield United
Squad number13Player nameGrbic
Squad number30Player nameHolgate
Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic
Squad number19Player nameRobinson
Squad number20Player nameBogle
Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza
Squad number24Player nameArblaster
Squad number8Player nameHamer
Squad number5Player nameTrusty
Squad number28Player nameMcAtee
Squad number11Player nameBrereton
Squad number9Player nameMcBurnie
Squad number23Player nameOsborn
Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane
Squad number32Player nameOsula
Squad number35Player nameBrooks
Line-ups
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 62Kelleher
- 84Bradley
- 5Konaté
- 4van Dijk
- 2GomezSubstituted forGakpoat 73'minutes
- 8SzoboszlaiSubstituted forJonesat 73'minutes
- 10Mac Allister
- 38GravenberchSubstituted forRobertsonat 60'minutes
- 11SalahSubstituted forElliottat 60'minutes
- 9Núñez
- 7Díaz
Substitutes
- 13Adrián
- 17Jones
- 18Gakpo
- 19Elliott
- 21Tsimikas
- 26Robertson
- 42Clark
- 76Danns
- 78Quansah
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 13Grbic
- 30HolgateSubstituted forBen Slimaneat 87'minutes
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 19Robinson
- 20Bogle
- 21de Souza Costa
- 24Arblaster
- 8HamerSubstituted forOsbornat 62'minutes
- 5TrustySubstituted forBrooksat 78'minutes
- 28McAteeSubstituted forMcBurnieat 63'minutesBooked at 87mins
- 11BreretonSubstituted forOsulaat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 9McBurnie
- 16Norwood
- 18Foderingham
- 23Osborn
- 25Ben Slimane
- 27Larouci
- 29Curtis
- 32Osula
- 35Brooks
Live Text
Match ends, Liverpool 3, Sheffield United 1.
Second Half ends, Liverpool 3, Sheffield United 1.
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ben Osborn (Sheffield United).
Attempt missed. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) header from very close range is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Cody Gakpo with a cross.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Jayden Bogle.
Curtis Jones (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United).
Goal! Liverpool 3, Sheffield United 1. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Andy Robertson with a cross.
Attempt missed. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cody Gakpo.
Attempt missed. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Harvey Elliott with a cross following a fast break.
Substitution, Sheffield United. Anis Ben Slimane replaces Mason Holgate.
Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United).
Attempt missed. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cody Gakpo with a headed pass.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Ivo Grbic.
Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Hand ball by Ben Osborn (Sheffield United).
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Mason Holgate.
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