Liverpool secured a vital 3-1 victory over Sheffield United on Thursday evening (4 April) at Anfield, propelling them to the summit of the Premier League standings.
In the second half, Alexis Mac Allister netted an extraordinary goal, complemented by Cody Gakpo’s contribution, sealing the deal as Liverpool claimed a full three points.
The Reds took the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of Darwin Nunez’s strike, only for Sheffield United to level the scoreline in the 58th minute, showing their resilience.
Liverpool dominated possession, enjoying an 83% share, while the Blades managed only five shots. Although not severely tested defensively, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate stood out for their performance.
Andy Robertson made an impact as a substitute, delivering an excellent cross that led to Gakpo’s goal in the 90th minute. With this assist, Robertson became the highest assisting defender in Premier League history, boasting 59 assists, one more than Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to surpass him.
In the 51st minute, Konate showcased his defensive prowess by winning a crucial one-on-one challenge against Ben Brereton Diaz, earning praise from co-commentator Phil Jagielka, who was covering the game for the Premier League World feed.
“You think, we’ve just seen why Konate gets his place in the team a lot. His one-v-one defending is unbelievable,” said Jagielka, who also works for BBC Sport.
Liverpool Will Be Confident Ahead of Man United Fixture
After Manchester City and Arsenal secured victories in their respective midweek matches, Liverpool faced the imperative of responding with strength.
The match against Sheffield United proved to be a challenging encounter, as the opposition deployed a deep defensive strategy. Despite this, the Reds managed to find a way to breach their resilient defense.
During the game against the Blades, Konate showcased his defensive prowess with one tackle, one interception, and one clearance.
His performance was characterised by composure and effectiveness, reaffirming his potential contribution to the team. It is anticipated that Konate will line up alongside Virgil van Dijk in the upcoming fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Although Liverpool suffered a defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup clash, they approach their encounter with confidence.
This is particularly due to the recent performance of Erik ten Hag’s side, who succumbed to a 4-3 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
In other Liverpool news, Michael Edwards Makes Club Record Bid to Sign “World-class” Midfielder for Liverpool