Liverpool Makes Significant Leap Towards Championship After Van Dijk Seals Victory Over West Ham

Liverpool made a significant move towards securing their second Premier League title in five years with a gritty 2-1 win over West Ham United, a side that has only triumphed twice in their last 58 visits to Anfield across all competitions (D14, L43).

With Arsenal having faltered the previous day, Liverpool seized the opportunity to edge closer to their 20th league crown.

Following Mohamed Salah’s contract extension earlier in the week, every touch from the Egyptian was greeted with cheers, none more so than his 18th assist of the season, which set up Luis Diaz for a goal in the 18th minute.

This strike saw Salah become a record-holder for the most goal contributions in a 38-game Premier League season, amassing a staggering total of 45.

West Ham nearly equalised just moments later as Carlos Soler faced off against Alisson one-on-one, but the Brazilian keeper managed to deny him. Shortly after, Mohammed Kudus attempted an audacious lob from distance, only for Alisson to divert the ball onto the crossbar.

The Hammers kept pushing for a goal, and they nearly found one just before halftime when James Ward-Prowse sent a pinpoint corner to Konstantinos Mavropanos, but the Greek defender’s header went narrowly over the bar.

After the break, Liverpool came out with renewed vigour, coming close to doubling their lead with a thunderous strike from Alexis Mac Allister that forced Alphonse Areola to parry the ball onto the woodwork.

The Reds have never lost any of their last 152 Premier League home matches when leading at halftime, a record that stretches back to December 2009, and they seemed poised to enhance their lead in the early stages of the second half.

However, as the match approached the hour mark, Graham Potter’s side increased their pressure and created several chances to level the game.

Soler shot over after being set up by Jarrod Bowen, and then Bowen found himself in on goal courtesy of Lucas Paqueta, but Alisson stood firm and denied the West Ham forward’s attempt.

The home team appeared fatigued as the match neared its conclusion, enabling West Ham to gain traction and control the latter part of the game.

This momentum culminated in an equaliser as Andrew Robertson inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after Virgil van Dijk’s clearance ricocheted off the full-back.

But, remaining resilient as they often do at home, the Reds struck again for a late winner.

Van Dijk found himself in the box, heading in from a corner delivered by Mac Allister, securing a remarkable 36th victory in 50 matches for the side under Slot and extending their lead to 13 points with only six games left to play.