Sutton's predictions: Leicester v Liverpoolpublished at 10:46 20 April
10:46 20 April
Leicester ended their long losing run with a draw at Brighton last weekend, but I'm afraid another defeat is on its way for the Foxes here.
Liverpool were as limp as anything against West Ham last time out, but they still got over the line. They could be even limper against Leicester, and they will still win to move even closer to the title.
What do the stats say about Liverpool's domination of the title race?published at 12:24 19 April
12:24 19 April
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
It is a matter of time before Liverpool are crowned champions, and it could happen as early as Sunday if results go their way.
It is rare in Premier League history for a team to have about 70 points after 32 games and be 10 or more points ahead - but not unprecedented.
While 10 Premier League leaders have had more points at this stage, only one had a bigger lead than Liverpool's 13 points - the Reds themselves in 2019-20 when they had a record 86 points and a 20-point lead.
For those who may use this to argue that Liverpool haven't actually been that great, then the same must surely apply to three previous title-winning sides. These are Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United sides of 1999-2000 (73 pts, 11-pt lead) and 2000-01 (73 pts, 13-pt lead), and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side in 2014-15 (76 pts, 10-pt lead).
I'd love to see someone say that those United sides weren't actually that great to Roy Keane's face!
While it's true that Liverpool's 76 points at this stage wouldn't have guaranteed them the title in the past few seasons, it would have put them in a strong position and matches the pace set by recent table-toppers.
The same cannot be said of the teams chasing them. Arsenal's 63 points is the fewest the second-placed team has had after 32 games since Leicester's miracle season of 2015-16.
It's perhaps because we've had such close title races in the past few seasons – including an incredible three-horse race last season – that the lack of one this year has seemed so stark.
It actually mirrors Manchester City's title-winning campaign in 2020-21, when Pep Guardiola's side had 74 points and an eight-point lead at this stage, as defending champions Liverpool suffered a raft of injuries to key players and were battling just to finish in the top four.
We all know that it takes two to tango in a title race - but is it Liverpool's fault that no-one else has been able to match their moves?
Slot on Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold's fitness and 'living in the moment'published at 09:34 18 April
09:34 18 April
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Slot speaks to the media about Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Leicester (kick-off 16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On captain Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, six days after Mohamed Salah extended his stay at Anfield: "It tells you that we want to keep our best players - the players who have played great seasons for so many years in a row."
Slot continued: "Virgil has been so important for us - defensively, offensively, around the dressing room. He's a great personality and a great football player."
Asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold's future: "We don't talk about these things as long as things are not done yet - and they aren't, so that's why we don't talk in public about that situation."
He added: "Every time he trains or plays with us, he shows his commitment. The moment he's on the pitch, he shows me what a great player he is and how much he's involved in us trying to achieve our goals this season. Everyone who has watched football over the past six or seven years knows he is an incredible full-back. Let's see what the future brings."
Alexander-Arnold returned to training earlier this week and, although he will not be fit to start, he could be on the bench if he comes through training with no adverse reaction to his injury before Sunday's game.
Liverpool will be confirmed as Premier League champions if they win and Arsenal lose to Ipswich on Sunday. "My thoughts aren't on that at all. As always, my thoughts are on Leicester and our team - how to improve and what we can do better," Slot said.
He continued: "My whole life, I've lived in the moment. I don't look backwards a lot and I don't look forwards a lot. It's the type of person I am. It's difficult in football - people tell you to try to enjoy the journey, but the only thing you think of as a manager is the game coming up. Maybe because I've been in football so long, you get used to living day by day and trying to influence day by day."
Leicester v Liverpool: Did you know?published at 09:17 18 April
09:17 18 April
Image source, Getty Images
Leicester City have won just two of their past 13 Premier League games against Liverpool (D1 L10), with those coming consecutively at home in 2021 (3-1 in February and 1-0 in December).
The Foxes are looking to avoid becoming the first side in top-flight history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring a goal. In Football League history, only Mansfield Town in the third tier between August and December 1971 (9) and Wolves in the second tier between December 1984 and April 1985 (10) have achieved this unwanted feat.
Mohamed Salah has scored in all five of Liverpool's Premier League games against newly promoted sides this season (seven goals). No player in the competition's history has scored in six separate matches against promoted clubs in one campaign.
'Numbers made sense for Liverpool'published at 16:22 17 April
16:22 17 April
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
First Mohamed Salah, now Virgil van Dijk.
It is big news for the club and the Premier League that one of the division's most iconic players is staying put.
For so long, there has been huge uncertainty over the futures of Salah and Van Dijk at Liverpool, given their previous contracts were set to expire at the end of the season.
The perspective is far rosier now, although the future of remaining out-of-contract star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has held talks with Real Madrid, remains hugely uncertain.
In the end, the numbers made sense for Liverpool. Replacing Salah and Van Dijk like for like would probably cost towards £200m in transfer fees, let alone wages. Identifying those players would have been a risky task.
Both players are in their mid-30s, but neither has shown signs of slowing down, so keeping them - on similar salaries to what they were on previously - appears the most economical decision, particularly when you look at their performances this season.
Van Dijk staying will lessen the necessity for Liverpool to sign a new central defender this summer, although strengthening in that area of the field is likely to depend on how talks develop with Ibrahima Konate over a new deal.
The France international is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is yet to reach an agreement over an extension.
If an agreement with Konate is not reached, then Liverpool may have to make a decision over his future this summer in order to avoid the prospect of the central defender leaving on a free transfer in 2026.
'Arguably our most important player in the past seven years'published at 16:06 17 April
16:06 17 April
Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Here are some more of your comments about the news that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is staying at Anfield:
Lynne: If we had let either Mo or Virgil go, we'd have been utter idiots! Great news that both these incredible players are here for another two years at least. As for Trent, if he decides to join Real Madrid I wish him all the very best. I just hope that he doesn't regret it as many others have, including some who are playing for them now.
Philip: This contract is only good if we sign his replacement in the summer, if we don't, then things like competing at the highest level can quickly change. We need to look to replace Van Dijk and have him working alongside someone for the next two years. Dean Huijsen has the same qualities and is a must this summer, alongside a left-back and a centre forward.
Sean: The purchases of Van Dijk and Alisson transformed the club from a big club to a great club that wins trophies. Amazing player, captain, human. Whatever happens over the next two seasons, Virgil and Mo both signing is massive for Liverpool.
David: Unfortunately he is a shadow of the player he was. Far too many mistakes of late. Hope he is able to recharge his battery in the summer break.
Fraser: Was never in doubt. So glad Virgil has chosen to stay. He's arguably been our most important player in the past seven years and it was vital that we keep him for as long as we can. We can build our defence around him while we look for his replacement and bring him to a similar standard. Looking forward to the next two years with Virgil and Salah. Let's make the most of it!
'It is very rare that Van Dijk is not in control'published at 15:06 17 April
15:06 17 April
Stephen Warnock BBC Sport pundit
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk makes it all look very easy and is extremely consistent, so when he has a couple of shaky games, or even just difficult moments in games like he had against Everton and Fulham at the beginning of April, you always notice, but I always expect a big response to any mistakes.
When people talk about the best centre-backs of the Premier League era, he is obviously right up there.
If you could genetically engineer the perfect defender then you would build Van Dijk because on top of his physicality he can pass the ball brilliantly to launch attacks, and has this calmness about him too.
We often talk about when a player has composure on the ball, but what is special about Van Dijk is how composed he looks without it, because of his positioning and anticipation.
The barometer of an elite-level centre-back is whether they are in control of the striker they are facing, or vice versa.
It is very rare that Van Dijk is not in control, in any game, and he gives Liverpool the platform to dominate their opponents.
Van Dijk, who turns 34 in July, has also started every Premier League game this season, so his durability is not an issue, and the reason why Liverpool have given him a new two-year contract.
'A true legend, a giant of a man' - fans on Van Dijk's new dealpublished at 13:02 17 April
13:02 17 April
Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images
We asked for your views on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract with the Premier League leaders.
Here are some of your comments:
Andy: Hopefully another trophy-winning season. Virgil is an inspirational captain, a cool, calm defender who emits an aura of control that enables the rest of the team playing to fulfil their potentials. Two of our greatest players showing a loyalty that fans respect to a great club. Hopefully more successful seasons to follow in the near future. Thank you Virgil and Mo for staying with us.
Yusuf: We need him, he has been the best centre-back this club has seen since Ron Yeats. And particularly as this will be a big summer, hopefully with the new signings he can help their development and continue to help Quansah and Konate to develop. If we want to win the Premier League and Champions League, he is the one person who will lead us to them.
Will: Absolutely over the moon with this new deal. The contract extensions of Salah and Van Dijk have provided the team with a degree of certainty for the upcoming season, and takes some of the pressure off of the upcoming transfer window.
Graham: An absolute bargain and clever business, we'd have had to pay in excess of £100m to get a centre-back of his quality!
Dax: There was never really any doubt. Anyone who's been out and about around Liverpool will know that Van Dijk and his family belong in Liverpool just as much as Salah and his family. The culture at the club doesn't just embrace you as a player but also embraces you as a human being and there is no more welcoming place than at an organisation like Liverpool Football Club to make you feel worthy. I'm sure at some point in the next few days Van Dijk will say that it's more than just a footballing decision.
Ryan: Brilliant news. Will soften the blow of losing Trent and his leadership and his experience cannot be underestimated. He's respected in the game by fans, fellow players, and he can hopefully help pave the way for Ibou and maybe another centre-back to pick up the amazing foundations he's helped build. His dominance at the back is so assuring for the rest of the team - mistakes he makes are magnified because of the colossus that he is. He's a true legend, a giant of a man and exactly what you want from a Liverpool captain. Great news!
'It was always Liverpool'published at 11:41 17 April
11:41 17 April
Image source, Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk says his future was "always Liverpool" after ending lengthy contract negotiations by agreeing a new deal.
The captain's future has been a talking point throughout the season given he was due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Reflecting on his new deal, Van Dijk said: "It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.
"There wasn't any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I'm one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I'm really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.
"I'm very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions, obviously, that go through my head right now speaking about it.
"It's a proud feeling. It's a feeling of joy. It's just incredible. To be able to extend the journey I've had so far in my career with another two years at this club is amazing."
Van Dijk's deal brings to an end a key few days for the club, with top scorer Mohamed Salah also agreeing fresh terms. Trent Alexander-Arnold's future remains uncertain, though. His deal will expire at the end of the campaign and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
How are you feeling? How crucial is Van Dijk staying to the club and the future under Arne Slot? Send us your thoughts here
Gossip: Midfielder's future set to be at Liverpoolpublished at 07:19 17 April
07:19 17 April
Ryan Gravenberch is not leaving Anfield in the near future despite the midfielder's agent talking up the 22-year-old's chances of playing for Real Madrid. (Mail - subscription required), external