Late Van Dijk header helps Liverpool beat West Ham

Mohamed Salah provided his 18th Premier League assist of the season for Luis Diaz to score the first goal

Liverpool moved to potentially one win from the Premier League title as captain Virgil van Dijk's late header helped them beat West Ham United at Anfield.

Victory means that if Arsenal lose at Ipswich next weekend, the Reds can wrap up the title by beating Leicester.

Mohamed Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool this week, provided the assist with a splendid pass for Luis Diaz to open the scoring on 18 minutes.

But Liverpool failed to build on this and West Ham deservedly equalised when Andy Robertson turned the ball into his own net.

However, in the 90th minute Van Dijk - who is expected to join Salah in agreeing a new deal to stay with the club - rose highest to head home a corner and put Liverpool 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just six league games to play.

Luis Diaz scored his 11th league goal of the season to put Liverpool ahead

It was a frantic end to a game in which Liverpool allowed control to slip from their grasp and where West Ham, who are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, came close on numerous occasions before finally scoring.

Reds keeper Alisson - passed fit after missing the loss at Fulham with concussion - made a series of fine saves throughout the game. In the first half he brilliantly tipped a Mohammed Kudus chip on to the crossbar, and after the break he made crucial stops from Jarrod Bowen and Kudus again.

Liverpool nearly doubled their lead after the break when Alexis Mac Allister's free-kick rattled the bar, while West Ham sub Niclas Fullkrug also hit the woodwork with a chance to make it 2-2.

But, while still below their best, Liverpool found the response to suffering only their second league loss of the season last weekend. This win also mathematically ensures the Reds have qualified for the Champions League for 2025-26.

With Wolves winning, West Ham fall to 17th but are 14 points above the bottom three.

Hero Salah helps dig Liverpool out

This was the first Liverpool game since Salah extended his stay at Anfield, and the home supporters made sure to make their Egyptian king feel loved.

Before kick-off, the stadium announcer named the Liverpool XI in positional order rather than numerical, meaning Salah's name was read out last - allowing the fans to give him an especially large cheer.

And once the game started Salah, who had failed to score or assist in each of his previous four Liverpool appearances, looked to repay them in kind.

Shortly before the goal he skinned West Ham wing-back Ollie Scarles - one of many times during the game - and shot narrowly wide, before thumping the Anfield turf in frustration.

But minutes later he provided a remarkable 45th league goal involvement of the season - a record for a 38-game Premier League campaign - expertly finding Diaz using the outside of his left boot to give the Colombian the simple task of finishing.

With Salah off-colour, Liverpool had lost three of their previous four games. But with his future secured, he found his focus and form - and the champions-elect took three points.

Salah's future is now sorted, so attention will turn to other first-teamers. Van Dijk is expected to sign a new deal but Trent Alexander-Arnold appears bound for Real Madrid - while Darwin Nunez was left out of the Liverpool matchday squad.

Hammers unfortunate to lose

Defeat here means West Ham remain technically unsafe from relegation, with questions persisting about Graham Potter's impact since replacing Julen Lopetegui as manager.

The Hammers have picked up 12 points from as many games since Potter took charge.

But their relative improvement can be seen in comparison with their two other fixtures against Liverpool this season - in the league and EFL Cup - where they conceded five in both.

Encouragement will come from the chances they created, with Lucas Paqueta running the show from midfield in the second half. A point - or more - would have been deserved and surely claimed if not for an inspired Alisson performance.