Liverpool recovered the Premier League lead with a comeback victory over Sheffield United.

Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock after just 18 minutes by charging down Ivo Grbic as he sought to clear the ball, diverting it home.

Gustavo Hamer’s far-post header glanced off Conor Bradley, wrongfooting Caoimhin Kelleher, bringing the visitors level early in the second half.

However, Alexis MacAllister restored the Reds’ lead in dramatic fashion with a piledriver from the edge of The Kop’s penalty area in the closing 15 minutes.

Cody Gakpo sealed the victory with a neat header after a cross from fellow substitute Andy Robertson.

Jurgen Klopp’s side has overtaken Arsenal at the top by two points.

Here were the big talking points at Anfield:

Klopp’s caution is vindicated

Faced with the Premier League’s poorest defence this season, some Kopites may have been lulled into a false feeling of security while their club pursues the crown.

Sheffield United had conceded 77 goals before travelling to Merseyside on Thursday, giving Liverpool hope of putting up a cricket score.

However, as tempting as it was to go all out against the unlucky Blades, Jurgen Klopp had told his team not to fall into a dangerous complacency trap.

That caution was eventually validated as the bottom-placed side drew level through Gustavo Hamer’s header, which deflected off Conor Bradley.

Anfield’s anxiety heightened as their team dominated both opportunities and possession, with the latter setting a new top-flight record.

Goal difference may be a deciding factor, with little separating their team from Arsenal and Manchester City, but Klopp clearly sees the broader picture.

The Reds’ manager understands that points on the board will be the most important aspect, and a 3-1 victory, while not decisive, met their end of the agreement.

Mac Allister’s outstanding performance continues

Alexis MacAllister’s case to be named Premier League signing of the season becomes stronger with each passing performance in the famed red shirt.

Few players have had a crash course like the World Cup winner did during his early days in the Anfield engine room.

Mac Allister’s role varies virtually weekly depending on fixtures and fitness, ranging from out-and-out playmaker to midfield enforcer.

He delivered on the latter against Chris Wilder’s relegation hopefuls, as Klopp refused to risk Wataru Endo ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.

However, Mac Allister demonstrated why he cannot be pigeonholed into a single position by delivering a spectacular piledriver to restore the hosts’ lead.

That shot from the edge of the penalty area, which nestled in the top corner of the net, brought back thoughts of Liverpool’s last transformative midfield purchase.

Gary McAllister was the trigger for a historic treble in 2001, and he was present to see his near-namesake’s most recent moment of brilliance.

Over two decades later, history may be set to repeat itself.

Jones commemorates his homecoming in style

Liverpool’s comeback was memorable for the contributions of their impact substitutes.

Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo combined to secure the victory, and Harvey Elliott was a hive of activity after replacing Mohamed Salah.

However, Curtis Jones’ return to the fold proved the most illuminating on his first outing since suffering an ankle injury at Brentford two months ago.

Replacing Dominik Szoboszlai for the final 17 minutes of normal time, the homegrown midfielder played as if he had never left.

His overall play was neat, and he put Ryan Gravenberch, whom Klopp had assigned to start on the left, in the shade with some of his statistics.

Jones had a 94% completion rate on 31 attempted passes, two fewer than the Dutchman in his hour-long performance.

If this is a sign of things to come, Klopp may be tempted to give the Toxteth native more responsibility in the form of a starting position at Old Trafford.