THE NOTEBOOK: Liverpool show off their super-subs, Sheffield United hit a dubious Premier League record... but Reds' hunt for a clean sheet rolls on

Liverpool's title hopes remain in chasing distance after Jurgen Klopp's side saw out a 3-1 win against relegation-threatened Sheffield United on Thursday evening. 

Jurgen Klopp's side started in flying style, with Darwin Nunez drawing first blood inside the first 20 minutes of the home tie, the Uruguayan all but gifted his effort by a slippery showing from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic. 

But Chris Wilder's travellers bounced back, and looked to be putting a serious dent in the Reds' Premier League aspirations after Connor Bradley nudged in an own goal trying to defend James McAtee's cross. 

In all too predictable style, however, Klopp's side rallied, and a superb strike from Alexis Mac Allister in the 75th minute, plus a late addition from Cody Gakpo, saw Liverpool back on terra firma - and the top of the table. 

Here, Aadam Patel runs through all you might have missed on and off the pitch at Anfield.  

Klopp's keeping the 'keepers busy 

This game could have had a very different narrative had Caoimhin Kelleher not made a brilliant save in the first 30 seconds to deny James McAtee. 

Kelleher has now made as many appearances for Liverpool as Alisson this season with both playing 24 games each and though Alisson is expected to return to ‘parts of training’ next week, he is unlikely to play next week. The expectation is that the Brazilian will return to action later this month. 

It’s only the second time in Liverpool’s history that two goalkeepers have played this many times in a season after 1988-89 when Bruce Grobbelaar and Mike Hooper rotated between the sticks. That was also the season where Arsenal pipped Liverpool to the title on the final day.

A timely pause 

It has been a regular sight in English football since last season when match officials were guided to allow players fasting for Ramadan to break their fast during a natural pause in play and around 25 minutes in, Stuart Attwell paused to allow Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Anel Ahmedhodzic to break their fast. 

The stoppage was met with a round of applause while one fan next to the press box took advantage by sprinting up the stairs, saying: ‘They can break their fast, I’ll go and break my seal. I’ve been desperate.’ 

On Sunday, Liverpool are hosting an Iftar event at Anfield with 2,800 people from the local area invited.

Inevitable action at both ends 

Ivo Grbic's early mistake after a positive Sheffield United start summed up their season. 

They have been the architects of their own downfall with Grbic’s error the ninth time that the Blades have made an error which has led to an opposition goal in the league this season. Unsurprisingly, no side has more. 

At the other end, Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in a home league game so far in 2024. Not exactly title-winning form.

Hosts not in the mood to share 

Liverpool enjoyed 83.1 per cent possession - a record by a team in a Premier League match since Opta began recording this data in 2003-04. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side have now scored 26 Premier League goals this season in the final 15 minutes of matches, 10 more than any other side and Liverpool have won more matches (16) and scored more goals (59) in all competitions in 2024 than any other side across Europe’s big-five leagues. 

Warning: a dubious record lies ahead 

Sheffield United have conceded a league-high 80 Premier League goals this season. It’s only nine short of Derby County’s record in a 38-game Premier League season. The Rams conceded 89 when they went down in 2007-08. 

The overall record though is held by Swindon who conceded 100 in the 1993-94 season but with eight games still left, that record may well be broken.

Liverpool's super-subs 

Cody Gakpo’s 90th minute goal means that Liverpool’s substitutes have now had 49 goal involvements in all competitions this season (25 goals, 24 assists). 

Remarkably, that’s 17 more than any other team in Europe.