Liverpool vs West Ham LIVE: Van Dijk rescues Reds after late Robertson own goal in Premier League

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham: The Reds now just need two more wins to lift the Premier League title

Slot delight at Salah new contract

Virgil van Dijk’s thumping header kept Liverpool on course to win the Premier League title moments after Andy Robertson’s own goal looked to have earned West Ham a point at Anfield.

Van Dijk rose highest to score in front of the Kop and extend Liverpool’s lead in the Premier League to 13 points, salvaging what had turned into a frustrating afternoon for the Premier League leaders.

Van Dijk’s clearance had rattled into Robertson in the 87th minute and it was no less than what West Ham deserved after a scrappy second half from Arne Slot’s champions elect.

Mohamed Salah had celebrated his contract extension by setting up Luis Diaz’s first-half opener with a stylish cross, but Liverpool struggled until Van Dijk’s 89th minute winner.

It means Liverpool are now within six points of winning the Premier League title after Arsenal’s draw against Brentford yesterday - and it could even be all over next weekend.

Follow the latest updates from Liverpool vs West Ham below

Liverpool vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• Liverpool go within two wins of the Premier League title with win over West Ham
• 90+4' OFF THE BAR! Fullkrug heads onto the bar late on [LIV 2-1 WHU]
• 89' GOAL! Van Dijk restores Liverpool's lead at the death [LIV 2-1 WHU]
• 86' GOAL! Robertson own goal draws Hammers level [LIV 1-1 WHU]
• 47' OFF THE BAR! Mac Allister hits bar with free-kick [LIV 1-0 WHU]
• 21' OFF THE BAR! Alisson tips cheeky Kudus lob onto the woodwork [LIV 1-0 WHU]
• 18' GOAL! Salah puts it on a plate for Diaz to open the scoring [LIV 1-0 WHU]

[13 April 2025 17:37 · Richard Jolly]

Virgil van Dijk delivers priceless Liverpool moment - and new contract ‘will be next’

There will come a point, perhaps in the next few days, when Virgil van Dijk puts pen to paper. There will be a time, probably in the few weeks, when he lifts the Premier League trophy. It if it shaping up as an eventful April for the footballer who will become the first Dutchman to skipper a side to the English title, its most dramatic few minutes may already have occurred.

Liverpool were wobbling, three minutes after conceding. Often immaculate, Van Dijk had been culpable, clearing Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into Andy Robertson and seeing it roll past the previously unbeatable Alisson for an own goal.

“Time to make it right,” Van Dijk said. A man who tends to exude authority restored order. Van Dijk headed in Alexis Mac Allister’s 89th-minute corner, leading by authority, marking his 100th Premier League game as captain by taking his team to the brink of the title. “One step closer to all of our dreams,” he added.

[13 April 2025 17:00 · Will Castle]

Van Dijk steps up when it matters most

[13 April 2025 16:40 · Will Castle]

What it means in the title race

Liverpool are now a maximum of just six points off a 20th Premier League title.

Today’s win means that if the Reds beat relegation-destined Leicester next weekend, they can seal the title at Anfield against Tottenham on April 27 - and that’s if Arsenal don’t drop points again.

Arne Slot will know today was anything but convincing, but those scraped results are the sort of wins required to become champions of England.

[13 April 2025 16:20 · Will Castle]

NEXT UP: Newcastle vs Man United

Today’s Premier League action is far from over as we now move our attention to St. James’s Park, where Newcastle lock horns with Man United.

Follow The Independent’s live coverage below:

[13 April 2025 16:06 · Richard Jolly at Anfield]

Liverpool move a step closer to Premier League immortality - even if it wasn't pretty

Nervy and unconvincing, perhaps, but Liverpool are a step closer. They only need six points now.

And it was fitting that Virgil van Dijk, who will lift the title, scored the goal that took them a step closer. It was fitting in a different way that Alexis Mac Allister, the best player on the pitch, got the assist.

West Ham may have deserved a point but Liverpool got all three.

Liverpool sealed an unconvincing win over West Ham to go within two wins of the title (Getty Images)

[13 April 2025 15:56 · Will Castle]

FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

Liverpool are TWO WINS AWAY from winning the Premier League title!

The Reds come away with an unconvincing victory as Virgil van Dijk’s late header nicks all three points for the league leaders, this time able to capitalise on Arsenal’s blunder against Brentford.

That moves them 13 points clear atop the division, with a 20th league title on the very near horizon!

[13 April 2025 15:56 · Will Castle]

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

90+7 mins: Alisson claims a cross from the left. That could be enough to see Liverpool through.

[13 April 2025 15:55 · Will Castle]

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

90+6 mins: Yellow card for Coufal who shows dissent after committing foul.

Into the last of the seven added minutes - can Liverpool hold on?

[13 April 2025 15:53 · Will Castle]

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

90+4 mins: OFF THE BAR! Another scare for Liverpool!

Fullkrug heads onto the bar as West Ham threaten to equalise again.

This is as nervy as it gets.

[13 April 2025 15:51 · Will Castle]

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

90+1 mins: It’s been a crazy end climax at Anfield.

West Ham were deserving of their equaliser, but it’s like these that make champions.

It’s not over yet though - Liverpool have SEVEN minutes to hold on.