Liverpool reclaimed the Premier League’s top spot with a comeback win over Sheffield United.
Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock after just 18 minutes by charging down Ivo Grbic as he attempted to make a clearance which diverted the ball home.
The visitors pulled level early in the second half when Gustavo Hamer’s far-post header deflected off Conor Bradley to wrongfoot Caoimhin Kelleher.
But Alexis Mac Allister restored the Reds’ advantage in emphatic style with a piledriver from the edge of The Kop’s penalty area during the final 15 minutes.
Cody Gakpo added a third at the end of normal time when he met a cross by fellow substitute Andy Robertson with a deft header to wrap up the victory.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have leapfrogged Arsenal at the summit by two points.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Klopp’s caution vindicated
Facing the Premier League’s worst defence this season may have lulled some Kopites into a false sense of security as their team hunt down the title.
Sheffield United had shipped 77 goals prior to venturing to Merseyside on Thursday, offering Liverpool hopes of racking up a potential cricket score.
But tempting as it was to go for broke against the luckless Blades, Jurgen Klopp had warned his side against falling into a potential complacency trap.
That caution was later vindicated when the bottom-placed side fortuitously drew level through Gustavo Hamer’s header deflecting off Conor Bradley.
Anfield’s nerves ramped up a notch after seeing their team dominating both chances and possession; the latter finishing with a new top-flight record.
Goal difference might be a deciding factor with little separating their team from Arsenal and Manchester City, but Klopp clearly sees the bigger picture.
The Reds’ manager knows that points on the board will be the overriding variable and a 3-1 win, while not emphatic, fulfilled their end of the bargain.
Mac Allister masterful again
Alexis Mac Allister’s case to be crowned the Premier League’s signing of the season grows stronger with each passing display in the famous red shirt.
Few players have enjoyed a crash course quite like the World Cup winner’s experience during his formative months within the Anfield engine room.
Depending on fixtures and fitness, Mac Allister’s remit fluctuates between an out-and-out playmaker and midfield enforcer on an almost weekly basis.
He fulfilled the latter against Chris Wilder’s relegation candidates as Klopp refused to risk Wataru Endo ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.
Mac Allister, however, underlined why he simply cannot be pigeonholed into one position as he produced a trademark piledriver to restore the hosts’ lead.
That strike from the edge of the penalty area, nestling into the top corner of the net, evoked memories of Liverpool’s last transformative midfield signing.
Gary McAllister proved the catalyst to an historic treble in 2001 and fittingly was present to witness his near-namesake’s latest moment of brilliance.
Over two decades on, history may be about to repeat itself.
Jones marks return in style
Liverpool’s comeback was notable for the role of their impact substitutes.
Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo combined to wrap up the win while Harvey Elliott was a hive of activity after his introduction in place of Mohamed Salah.
Yet it was Curtis Jones’ return to the fold which proved the most illuminating on a first outing since suffering an ankle injury at Brentford two months ago.
Replacing Dominik Szoboszlai for the remaining 17 minutes of normal time, the homegrown midfielder performed as though he had never been away.
His general play was tidy and proceeded to put Ryan Gravenberch, whom Klopp entrusted to start on the left in the shade with some of his statistics.
Jones racked up a competion rate of 94% from 31 attempted passes which marked two fewer than the Dutchman mustered in his hour-long appearance.
If this is a sign of things to come, Klopp could be tempted to hand the Toxteth native further responsibility in the form of a starting berth at Old Trafford.