Virgil van Dijk’s dramatic 90th-minute header secured a vital 2-1 win for Liverpool over West Ham at Anfield, moving the Reds to within touching distance of the Premier League title.

Liverpool now need just one more victory—provided Arsenal drop points at Ipswich next weekend—to clinch the trophy. Van Dijk’s match-winning goal came from a corner, capping off a tense encounter in which the Reds struggled to maintain control.

Mohamed Salah, who signed a new two-year contract earlier this week, set up Luis Díaz for the opener in the 18th minute with a perfectly timed pass. Despite the early lead, Liverpool failed to press their advantage, and West Ham equalised when Andy Robertson inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net.

The Hammers, still not mathematically safe from relegation, created several chances and came close to snatching a point. Goalkeeper Alisson, back in action after missing the Fulham defeat due to concussion, made key saves—most notably tipping Mohammed Kudus’ audacious chip onto the crossbar, and later denying both Jarrod Bowen and Kudus again.

Liverpool nearly added a second when Alexis Mac Allister struck the crossbar with a free-kick, while West Ham substitute Niclas Fullkrug also hit the woodwork in a frantic second half.

Despite a performance that was far from dominant, Liverpool found a way to bounce back from last weekend’s league defeat—only their second of the season. The win guarantees their place in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League.

With this result, Liverpool move 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who still have six games remaining. West Ham, meanwhile, drop to 17th after Wolves’ win, though they remain 14 points above the relegation zone.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1040 HRS, APR 14, 2025
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