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
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
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
89 mins: GOAL! LIVERPOOL PROVE WHY THEY’RE CHAMPIONS-ELECT!
It’s Virgil van Dijk who goes from zero to hero, heading in past Areola from the corner.
A HUGE goal for the Reds!
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 West Ham
86 mins: GOAL! ANDY ROBERTSON KNOCKS INTO HIS OWN NET!
It’s a horror show at the back as Robertson and Van Dijk fail to communicate, effectively tackling each other as the ball trickles past Alisson into the Liverpool net.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
82 mins: Virgil van Dijk just channeled Liverpool’s own Paddy Pimblett to knee teammate Robertson in the head, leaving him a bit worse for wear.
A sore one but he’s back up and looks ok.
Meanwhile, here comes Liverpool’s finisher. Wataru Endo comes on for Mo Salah, who gets a standing ovation.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
79 mins: Corner comes to nothing, not before West Ham bring Fullkrug and Guilherme come on.
Graham Potter is turning up the gas.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
77 mins: Liverpool have been off it in this second half and West Ham are looking to capitalise.
Nearly opened up for Kudus there but a challenge is made. Corner for West Ham coming up.
An air of frustration and nervousness inside Anfield.
Liverpool looking to shut down the game with Alisson called into action
A few nervy moments for Liverpool. Alisson has been excellent and they have had reasons to be glad he is back after sitting out games because of concussion protocols.
That Slot has changed both full-backs is a sign he was looking to shut the game down. Liverpool haven't managed it yet, however.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
72 mins: SAVE! Another important intervention from Alisson as Kudus fires a shot across goal.
Liverpool need to liven themselves up.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
70 mins: Jarell Quansah and Dominik Szoboszlai are on for Liverpool, with Bradley and Jones making way.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
69 mins: Awkward corner whipped on top of Alisson, who collides with a Hammers man in the box.
Bounces out for a goal kick and Liverpool get a reprieve.
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