AnalysisTalking points: Mac Allister magic, Nunez hits 30 and more from Sheff Utd win

Mac Allister struck 13 minutes from time to set the Reds on their way to a vital victory on Thursday night, with Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo also on target for Jürgen Klopp’s side, who had been pegged back to 1-1 just before the hour mark.

Here are five things we noticed on a rainy evening in L4…

Mac Allister is magic

Liverpool needed a hero, and the World Cup winner obliged.

The clock was ticking when Andy Robertson’s low cross from the left was half-cleared, the ball taking a touch off Luis Diaz and rolling invitingly towards the edge of the penalty area.

Onto it came Mac Allister and the Argentinian smashed a first-time shot into the roof of the Kop net to give his side a lead they would not surrender.

The Reds’ No.10 has now delivered five goals and five assists in his last 10 games.

There were shades of Steven Gerrard against Olympiacos in 2004 about this one, and how his team needed it.

Nunez turns 30

It doesn’t matter how they go in, as they say.

Nunez’s opening goal here might not have been the prettiest he’s ever scored, but few in red cared as the Uruguayan charged down United goalkeeper Ivo Grbic’s clearance to give his side a 17th-minute lead as the ball rebounded into the net.

In doing so, Nunez reached 30 goal involvements for the season.

The No.9 now has three more goals (18) than he tallied in the whole of the last campaign, and three times as many assists (12) too.

Subs make the difference

Not for the first time this season, Klopp’s substitutes were crucial to victory.

Set back by Conor Bradley’s unfortunate own goal, which levelled the match early in the second half, the Liverpool manager responded by sending on both Robertson and Harvey Elliott.

Both would have a big impact on proceedings, as would Gakpo and Curtis Jones, introduced with 18 minutes remaining.

Robertson was involved in Mac Allister’s goal and set up Gakpo’s with a pinpoint cross that was converted emphatically late on. Jones and Elliott, meanwhile, brought calmness and purpose in the closing stages.

It is no coincidence that the Reds have scored 26 Premier League goals this season in the final 15 minutes of matches, a full 10 more than any other side.

Kelleher equals Alisson

Caoimhin Kelleher made his 24th appearance of the campaign on the night, meaning the Republic of Ireland international has now played as many games in this campaign as Alisson Becker, the Reds’ No.1.

It's only the second time in Liverpool’s history that two different goalkeepers have played this many times in a season, after 1988-89, when Bruce Grobbelaar (28) and Mike Hooper (25) shared duties.

Yet again, Kelleher was pretty much faultless, beaten only by an unfortunate deflection from Bradley and producing big saves in the first half from both James McAtee and Jayden Bogle.

Back on top

Liverpool’s win here lifted them back to the top of the Premier League table with eight games to play, the Reds following Arsenal and Manchester City in picking up a vital home win this midweek.

They once again lead the Gunners by two points, with City one further behind.

Next on the agenda? A trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, as Klopp’s charges look to take another step closer to glory, in what continues to be a supremely tight title race.