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 successful 1-0 because of Luis Diaz’s first-half opener from a shocking Mohamed Salah help, Van Dijk acquired concerned in an terrible mix-up with Andy Robertson for the latter to attain an personal objective 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 high of the Premier League.
Although there might have been a push by Van Dijk on the Hammers ahead, which VAR didn’t punish. “Nice little shove isn’t there?” mentioned Roy Keane. “I thought VAR would look at that but obviously not!”
Ought to Arsenal lose to Ipswich subsequent weekend on Tremendous Sunday, Liverpool will know victory over Leicester, additionally reside on Sky Sports activities, will mathematically safe the title with 5 video games to spare.
Requested if Liverpool can now “touch the title”, Mohamed Salah mentioned: “We can say that now. We owe the fans one, especially as when we won it, we won it in lockdown. So let’s go for it and win it!”
Liverpool have been in the end fortunate to come back away with the win, with Jamie Carragher calling the Reds “lethargic” and “distinctively average” after their opener.
Anfield was initially a cauldron of noise after a very good 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 objective involvements in a 38-game Premier League season – and he did it in some model. An excellent outside-of-the-boot cross unlocked the West Ham defence and allowed Diaz to faucet into an empty web.
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Mohamed Salah assisted Luis Diaz to present Liverpool an early lead
However West Ham grew into the sport virtually immediately. Mohammed Kudus noticed his effort tipped onto the bar by Alisson virtually 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 crew after concussion, stood tall to disclaim Jarrod Bowen in a one-on-one, whereas he additionally tipped Kudus’ low drive extensive of the far put up. Carlos Soler additionally missed a very good probability from Bowen’s cross.
Ultimately, the strain advised 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 all gratitude and reduction – on the brow.
West Ham will really feel arduous executed by as they drop to seventeenth, however in relation to the highest of the desk and the title, Liverpool are practically there.
Zero to hero! Van Dijk’s messes up with Robertson – then will get the WINNER!
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Robertson was livid with Van Dijk after a mix-up between the pair gifted West Ham the equaliser
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Anfield erupts as Van Dijk places Liverpool again within the lead simply minutes later
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, but these things unfortunately happen. It was time to make it right, and luckily we did.
On the winner: “Lastly, we had many set-pieces, we practice rather a lot on corners and tried to be essential. At the moment, lastly, I might rating the winner and onto the subsequent.
On his contract: “I can say I’m very proud to captain my 100th game 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.
“Everyone knows how much I love this club, let’s see what next week will look like.”
