Bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United had appeared to be seemingly on course for a shock draw at Anfield, only for an in-form, sizzling Mac Allister to rewrite the script with a stunning 20-yard strike into the top corner to put the Reds 3-1 up and rain on the Blades’ hopeful plans for a parade.
Cody Gakpo subsequently added a 90th-minute footnote for a third as Liverpool returned to the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp conceded that his lads showed the right attitude although the football could have been better. However, he was glad to see Mac Allister turning in such an inspiring performance, saying: “We needed Macca’s wonder goal to turn it around. He is super important for us, a wonderful player and a wonderful boy – I’m really happy for Liverpool that we got him.
“His defensive work has been really good where people were doubting if he could be defensive, but I prefer him in the eight [attacking midfield].
“He is a really good player. In the first half he was playing [as a] six, but we knew we could move him slightly higher. Then he scores this kind of goal, the two biggest screamers of the season [after also scoring from long distance against Fulham] have come from him. Then the free-kick directly after [the goal] – absolutely insane, what a player.”
Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool for £35m from Brighton last summer, also hit the crossbar with a curling free-kick.
Darwin Nunez gave the Reds a 17th-minute lead after charging down goalkeeper Ivo Grbic’s clearance with the ball rebounding into the net.
However, despite having 84% of possession in the first half, numerous chances were squandered and the hosts conceded a 58th-minute equaliser as Gustavo Hamer’s header bounced off Conor Bradley into his own net.
Mac Allister – nominated for March’s Premier League Player of the Month award – then saved the day for the hosts by putting them back in front with 14 minutes left, before substitute Gakpo’s header sealed a vital success.
The result moved the Reds two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, with eight league games left.