Liverpool 2 - 1 West Ham

Liverpool are six factors away from sealing a twentieth Premier League title after Virgil van Dijk went from zero to hero with a late header to seal a 2-1 win over West Ham.

With Liverpool profitable 1-0 due to Luis Diaz’s first-half opener from a surprising Mohamed Salah help, Van Dijk acquired concerned in an terrible mix-up with Andy Robertson for the latter to attain an personal purpose within the 86th minute.

However moments later captain Van Dijk rose highest above West Ham substitute Niclas Fullkrug from a nook in entrance of the Kop to ascertain Liverpool a 13-point lead on the prime of the Premier League.

Although there could have been a push by Van Dijk on the Hammers ahead, which VAR didn’t punish. “Good little shove is not there?” stated Roy Keane. “I believed VAR would take a look at that however clearly not!”

Ought to Arsenal lose to Ipswich subsequent weekend on Tremendous Sunday, Liverpool will know victory over Leicester, additionally stay on Sky Sports activities, will mathematically safe the title with 5 video games to spare.

Requested if Liverpool can now “contact the title”, Mohamed Salah stated: “We are able to say that now. We owe the followers one, particularly as after we received it, we received it in lockdown. So let’s go for it and win it!”

Liverpool had been in the end fortunate to return away with the win, with Jamie Carragher calling the Reds “torpid” and “distinctively common” after their opener.

Anfield was initially a cauldron of noise after week for the membership. Two days after his new Liverpool contract was confirmed, Salah entered the file books in organising Diaz’s opener.

Salah broke the file for many purpose involvements in a 38-game Premier League season – and he did it in some fashion. An excellent outside-of-the-boot move unlocked the West Ham defence and allowed Diaz to faucet into an empty internet.

However West Ham grew into the sport nearly right away. Mohammed Kudus noticed his effort tipped onto the bar by Alisson nearly instantly after Diaz’s opener. Konstantinos Mavropanos missed a sitter from a nook proper earlier than half-time and West Ham’s strain continued after the break, regardless of Alexis Mac Allister hitting the Hammers bar from a free-kick.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, again within the workforce after concussion, stood tall to disclaim Jarrod Bowen in a one-on-one, whereas he additionally tipped Kudus’ low drive huge of the far publish. Carlos Soler additionally missed likelihood from Bowen’s cross.

Finally, the strain informed as Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross ought to have been cleared by Van Dijk and Robertson – however the pair collided because the ball went in final off the Scot.

With Liverpool set to drop extra factors, up stepped their captain as his header despatched Anfield wild. Amid the celebrations, Robertson gave Van Dijk a kiss – one in every of gratitude and aid – on the brow.

West Ham, who noticed Fullkrug hit the bar in stoppage time, will really feel exhausting finished by as they drop to seventeenth, however on the subject of the highest of the desk and the title, Liverpool are almost there.

Zero to hero! Van Dijk’s messes up with Robertson – then will get the WINNER!

Van Dijk on his error, his winner – and his contract

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to Sky Sports activities:

On the West Ham equaliser: “I heard Robertson shout, however these items sadly occur. It was time to make it proper, and fortunately we did.

On the winner: “Lastly, we had many set-pieces, we prepare quite a bit on corners and tried to be vital. Right now, lastly, I may rating the winner and onto the following.

On his contract: “I can say I am very proud to captain my one hundredth sport for Liverpool, it was an emotional day with the Hillsborough anniversary.

“That was the principle focus: get three factors, get a step nearer to all of our desires – not simply gamers, employees – everybody linked to Liverpool FC.

“Everybody is aware of how a lot I really like this membership, let’s have a look at what subsequent week will appear to be.”