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Virgil van Dijk scored a vital late goal to rescue Liverpool from a potential setback, securing a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday and pushing the Reds to within touching distance of the Premier League crown.
With just six matches left, Arne Slot’s side now hold a 13-point lead at the top, and could clinch a record-equalling 20th top-flight title as early as next weekend—if they win at Leicester and Arsenal fall to Ipswich.
Luis Díaz opened the scoring in the 18th minute after Mohamed Salah beat West Ham youngster Ollie Scarles and delivered a pinpoint cross for the Colombian to finish from close range—his 15th goal of the campaign. The assist marked Salah’s 45th goal involvement of the season, a new Premier League record for a 38-game season.
The Egyptian, who recently signed a two-year contract extension amid transfer speculation, was greeted with a rousing reception before kick-off, and set the tone early on as Liverpool started brightly.
But fatigue—visible in recent weeks—crept in once again and West Ham began to grow into the game. The visitors created several clear-cut chances, with Alisson Becker producing a series of superb saves. The Brazilian denied Mohammed Kudus with a fingertip stop that pushed the midfielder’s chip onto the bar, and thwarted Jarrod Bowen in a one-on-one situation before parrying another fierce drive from Kudus.
The Hammers eventually found their equaliser in the 86th minute, albeit with a slice of fortune. Andy Robertson turned Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net after a miscommunication with Van Dijk, momentarily giving the struggling visitors a valuable point in their fight to avoid relegation.
However, Liverpool responded immediately. Just three minutes later, Van Dijk made amends by heading in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner to restore the lead. The Dutch captain, whose own contract talks are reportedly progressing, celebrated by kissing the badge in front of an ecstatic Anfield crowd.
“It was a relief,” admitted Slot afterwards. “After they scored, it felt like they could have nicked a second. But our fans and players rallied straight away. That response was massive.”
There was still time for one final scare as West Ham’s Niclas Füllkrug rattled the crossbar deep into stoppage time, but Liverpool held firm to take another significant stride towards the title.
West Ham, meanwhile, slip to 17th, perilously close to the relegation zone as the season approaches its climax.
