Klopp hails Mac Allister 'wonder goal' as Liverpool reclaim top spot in Premier League

Jurgen Klopp believes Alexis Mac Allister can have a big impact on Liverpool's title run-in after the midfielder's "wonder goal" inspired a tense 3-1 win against the Premier League's bottom club Sheffield United on Thursday.

Liverpool led through Darwin Nunez's early opener but were pegged back by a second-half Conor Bradley own goal.

But Mac Allister eased the nerves around Anfield with a brilliant finish from the edge of the area and Cody Gakpo sealed the points in the closing moments.

With Arsenal and Manchester City having both won on Wednesday, Thursday's game at Anfield felt pivotal in the title race. Victory took them two points clear of second-placed Arsenal and three above City with eight games left for each of the three teams involved in a gripping battle for supremacy.

Liverpool's win stretched their unbeaten run at Anfield to 28 matches, and took them a step closer to a record-equalling 20th English league title and first since 2020.

"We needed Macca's wonder goal to turn it around. The impact he can have is massive," Klopp said of Mac Allister, who is the first Liverpool midfielder to score or assist in six consecutive games since Steven Gerrard in 2013.

Liverpool are keen to give Klopp a winning send-off after the German announced in January he would step down at the end of the season. With the League Cup already secured, the Reds could end the season with three trophies as they have also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

However, they will have to improve on this erratic display to make that treble dream a reality.

"Our general game until I think we made the changes was not great. That's what we have to admit," Klopp said.

"It's tricky, they had such a low block, but you have to do better.

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