Liverpool recorded an all-time Premier League record during Thursday's 3-1 victory over Sheffield United.
Having watched Arsenal and Manchester City win their respective matches against Luton Town and Aston Villa on Wednesday, Jurgen Klopp's side were under pressure to follow suit in order to remain at the top of the standings.
The Merseyside giants were heavy favourites to see off the division's bottom side, yet they did not have it all their own way at Anfield.
A fortuitous Darwin Nunez goal put them ahead before Conor Bradley put through his own net shortly after the restart, setting up a nervy conclusion.
However, Alexis Mac Allister would score a thunderous strike to put Liverpool back in front before Cody Gakpo sealed maximum points in the final minute.
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What record did Liverpool break?
Throughout the Premier League era, no team had ever had more than 83% of possession in a single match, with Manchester City's effort of 82.9% against Swansea City in 2018 being the most dominant spell on the ball.
Liverpool changed that on Thursday night, having 83.1% of possession in a game where they also had 29 shots in comparison to Sheffield United's five.
The previous best effort of Klopp's side had been against Everton in a Merseyside derby that took place in April 2022, with 82.4% being posted on that occasion.
A seasonal-best is also in Liverpool's hands, a total of 26 goals having now been scored in the final 15 minutes of matches, which is 10 more than any other team.
On a record-breaking night in the Premier League, Chelsea and Manchester United also added several entries to the history books, most notably Cole Palmer scoring the latest-ever winning goal in the division's history.
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Where does the win leave Liverpool?
As a result of battling their way to victory over the Blades, Liverpool have been able to regain their two-point advantage at the top of the table.
Nevertheless, Liverpool are at risk of conceding that position before their next outing on Sunday, another meeting with rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford just three weeks on from their 4-3 defeat in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Man City are involved in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff at Crystal Palace where a four-goal triumph would put them ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.
Later in the day, Arsenal go up against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, where they will hope that a win on the South coast will provide them with a one-point lead over Liverpool having played a game more.
Darren Plant
