Dean Henderson mistake gifted Liverpool a 16th straight Premier League victory as they saw off Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
The Premier League leaders looked out of ideas in the face of a thorough examination from the newly-promoted Blades but were handed three points when on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Henderson allowed Georginio Wijnaldum's volley to squirm across his goal line on 70 minutes.
Wijnaldum's shot was Liverpool's first attempt on target in the game and dealt a particularly cruel blow to Chris Wilder's valiant side, who drop to 12th in the table after letting a famous point slip through their fingers.
Chances began to come for Jurgen Klopp's men towards the end of the first-half as Sadio Mane sliced horribly wide with just Henderson to beat and then hit the post when it seemed easier to score from Roberto Firmino's pass.
Mane was unfortunate minutes into the second period, though, as he was taken out by John Lundstram as he broke into the box.
Referee Anthony Taylor was unimpressed and it was another example when VAR backed the official's decision when it should have been overturned.
The hosts had their chances to spring a massive shock as Adrian turned behind a long-range drive from Oliver Norwood before Andy Robertson made a brilliant block to deny John Fleck the opener.
All of Sheffield United's good work was undone with one mistake when Wijnaldum pounced on a loose ball 20 yards from goal, but his strike should have been easily handled by Henderson, who instead watched on with horror as the ball slipped under his grasp.
The Manchester United loanee made some amends 11 minutes from time when Mohamed Salah broke clean through, but could not beat Henderson with a low finish.
That save could still have salvaged a point had substitute Leon Clarke not blazed over with the goal at his mercy late on.
Instead, Liverpool held on to grind out the sort of win that could finally make them champions come May.
Player ratings
Sheffield United: Henderson (5), Basham (7), Egan (7), O’Connell (7), Baldock (7), Lundstram (7), Norwood (7), Fleck (7), Stevens (7), McBurnie (7), Robinson (6).
Subs: Mousset (6), Clarke (5)
Liverpool: Adrian (7), Alexander-Arnold (6), Matip (7), Van Dijk (8), Robertson (7), Fabinho (6), Henderson (6), Wijnaldum (7), Salah (6), Firmino (6), Mane (6).
Subs: Origi (5), Milner (n/a), Oxlade-Chamberlain (n/a)
Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk.
Manchester City 3-1 Everton
Manchester City avoided slipping further behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a strong second-half performance as they beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park.
City looked slick early on and took the lead through Gabriel Jesus' diving header from yet another fine Kevin De Bruyne delivery (24), but Everton levelled as Seamus Coleman found just enough space in the box to dink over Ederson at an angle, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin got the final touch on the line (32).
Everton caused City's defence plenty of problems either side of the break, but Riyad Mahrez punished them for briefly sitting back, curling a free-kick from the edge of the box (71) under the grasp of Jordan Pickford.
And Raheem Sterling wrapped up the points with a left-footed volley at the far post in off the bar (85), meaning City remain second, five points off leaders Liverpool. Everton are 15th after three straight defeats.
Chelsea 2-0 Brighton
Jorginho and WIllian took advantage of two errors as Chelsea beat Brighton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to give Frank Lampard his first home league win as manager.
The hosts had the better of the first half, missing three glorious chances to take the lead, and in the end needed a helping hand from Brighton to open the scoring. Adam Webster fouled Mason Mount after taking a heavy touch in his own box, and set up Jorginho to put his side ahead from the penalty spot.
Brighton came close when Dan Burn headed against the bar and Steven Alzate's deflected effort flew just wide, but the points were wrapped up when Willian's near-post effort deflected off Burn and wrong-footed Mat Ryan.
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