Captain’s header secures 2-1 victory over West Ham, but Liverpool indebted to brilliance of goalkeeper Alisson as they close in on title.
Liverpool moved two wins away from the Premier League title as Virgil van Dijk made amends for a late mistake with a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory over West Ham United.
Sunday seemed set to belong to Mohamed Salah, who celebrated his new two-year contract at Anfield with an assist for Luis Diaz‘s 18th-minute opener.
That saw Salah break the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-match season in the competition with 45, though his achievement was overshadowed by late drama.
Van Dijk scuffed Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s cross on to Andy Robertson, who turned the ball into his own net with four minutes remaining, only for the Liverpool captain to then head in the winner from Alexis Mac Allister‘s 89th-minute corner.
The late victory leaves Arne Slot‘s side needing only six points from their remaining six matches to clinch the title, while West Ham – who hit the bar in search of a second equaliser through substitute Niclas Fullkrug – drop to 17th spot.
How the Match Unfolded
Salah flashed wide after skimming past Ollie Scarles early on, before repeating the dose just a minute later and, this time, curling a delightful pass for Diaz to tap into an empty net.
West Ham almost struck back only three minutes later as Alisson denied Carlos Soler before Mohammed Kudus dinked a delicate chip over the Liverpool goalkeeper, only to be thwarted by the crossbar.
Mac Allister’s free-kick from a tight angle crashed against the woodwork shortly after the interval, though West Ham remained a threat as Soler blazed over and Alisson raced out to brilliantly deny Jarrod Bowen in a 1v1 situation.
A deserved equaliser eventually arrived as Van Dijk hit Wan-Bissaka’s left-sided delivery into Robertson, only for Diaz to rattle the crossbar at the other end moments later, before Van Dijk towered to power Mac Allister’s corner past Alphonse Areola.
There was still room for more late drama, however, as Max Kilman‘s cross found Fullkrug, whose stoppage-time header cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.
Record-breaking, Lipverpool striker Mohamed Salah sets tone before late chaos
Salah’s name continually echoed around Anfield as Liverpool supporters toasted the news of their Egyptian star’s contract extension – and their hero soon repaid the rapturous show of faith.
He first twisted inside and out before whipping wide of the far corner, before breezing down the right-hand side to tee up a simple Diaz finish only 61 seconds later.
Diaz and Curtis Jones had already both tested the hands of Areola early on, while Conor Bradley‘s deflected drive skimmed wide before Diaz’s close-range opener.
Salah continued in his role as chief creator, lifting through before seeing Areola deny Mac Allister, whose free-kick strike then rattled the woodwork following Jean-Clair Todibo‘s 46th-minute foul on Kostas Tsimikas.
Mac Allister’s mishit cross then almost found the top corner before Areola superbly tipped over, although Liverpool’s unconvincing defence was deservedly punished at the other end by Robertson’s unfortunate own goal.
Sunday’s second-half showing was far from the rip-roaring style of Liverpool’s last title win under Jurgen Klopp in the 2019/20 season, but Slot’s side still got over the line thanks to Van Dijk.
Even if Arsenal remain perfect in their pursuit, this win means Liverpool can secure the title on 27 April with victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur, should the Reds also win at Leicester City next Sunday.
Graham Potter magic needed to turnaround West Ham form
Winless in four matches since a 2-0 victory over Leicester on 27 February, Graham Potter may have been fearing the worst heading into a thankless task at Anfield.
Scarles was exposed by the quality of Salah from the off, too, with Lucas Paqueta and Kudus offering little protection for the 19-year-old wing-back, but West Ham certainly had their chances.
Wan-Bissaka’s offload almost freed Soler to slot past Alisson, who scrambled as Kudus’ clipped rebound bounced off the woodwork.
Konstantinos Mavropanos then headed off target on the stroke of half-time after a corner from James Ward-Prowse, who survived handball appeals for a home penalty in the second half.
The midfielder was struck on the arm by Mac Allister’s corner, but his action was deemed accidental after a VAR check agreed with referee Andy Madley’s call of no penalty.
West Ham turned up the pressure from then as Paqueta freed Bowen, and Kudus forced a fine stop from Alisson before their reward came in fortuitous circumstances.
There will be no comfort in the late drama, but Potter may seek the positives from a battling performance, despite West Ham dropping down the table before they host relegated Southampton next Saturday.
Also read about Newcastle’s win over Man United.
