Liverpool

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It's unlikely, but highly possible that Liverpool could be crowned Premier League champions on Sunday when they face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The likelihood is that they'll have to wait a little while longer for the official sprinkling of stardust on what's been an incredible season.

Of course Arne Slot isn't prepared to discuss the inevitability of what will happen sooner rather than later. Complacency is the enemy of greatness. He still demands the energy, drive and determination from his players that has got them to within touching distance of English football's most glittering prize. Yet curiously there's been a fair bit of criticism aimed in their direction in recent weeks. Perhaps with some justification.

It's fair to say that some of Liverpool's recent performances have dipped below the levels that we've come to expect. It's not that long ago that they were deemed to be the best side in Europe as they were positioned at the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League tables. Since then there's been disappointments along the way with the defeats by PSG, Newcastle and Fulham - and all of them being hard to take.

But to lose to PSG on penalties is no disgrace.

They were disjointed and lacking in all areas in the Carabao Cup final. Against Fulham they were guilty of conceding goals through basic defensive errors and despite a very decent first-half performance against West Ham, they were fortunate to get all three points.

It's always worth remembering though that even the very best teams have periods when performances don't hit the heights. That's always been the case and always will be.

Even top quality footballers are human beings. They can't always be at their best.

But even during these moments when Liverpool have come up short recently, they've still managed to win five of their last six Premier League matches.

Top level football is forensically scrutinised to an extraordinary level these days. On a daily basis individual performances are pored over and dissected. It's the nature of the beast in these days when football never sleeps. However, at the start of the season, the vast majority of Liverpool would have said that with a new manager, coming in to replace a living legend, a top four finish would be considered more than adequate.

Slot has delivered much, much more. All that without having the time for a proper pre-season training camp with all of the players available. During the summer there'll be a significant investment in terms of new signings arriving at the club.

Liverpool are within days of being back at the very top.

The intention is to stay there.

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Having kept their finances largely intact last summer, Liverpool are expected to be active once the market reopens. Towards the top of their priorities list is set to be a new central striker.

‌Arne Slot has flittered between options in that position but there is an emerging view that the Merseysiders will look to sign a first-choice centre forward for next season.

Like most top clubs across Europe, Alexander Isak would be towards the top of their list but a deal for the Newcastle star makes the prospect of him leaving St James' Park unlikely.

‌Liverpool are also expected to be in the market for at least one new new full-back given Trent Alexander-Arnold's talks over a free transfer to Real Madrid and lingering doubts over Andy Robertson's long-term role in Slot's team.

‌Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and Fulham's Antonee Robinson are among the players linked.

Whether Liverpool can retain Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk in addition to Mohamed Salah will likely shape their business, particularly in terms of incomings.

For instance, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is a player that has been considered in the past, but the current indications are that Liverpool won't look for a starting centre-back if captain Van Dijk stays.

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BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty answered some of your questions during a special Q&A session.

Michael asked: What have you made of Andy Robertson's performances this season? His form seems to have fallen off a cliff and he has been really poor. Do you think time has caught up with him?

Phil answered: I wouldn't say his form has fallen off a cliff, but he hasn't been at his best. I suspect that left-back is a position Liverpool will look to strengthen as Robertson is 31 now.

He has been a magnificent player for Liverpool, winning all of the big prizes, so I wouldn't be writing him off.

However, I do expect Liverpool to buy a left-back this summer.

West Ham want to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer transfer window. (Mirror), external

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has told the club's board he wants to keep their best players this summer, including 25-year-old Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who has been linked with Liverpool. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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On the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, players, staff, ambassadors and supporters of Liverpool Football Club have been paying tribute to the 97 fans who lost their lives as a result of the tragedy.

Men's first-team boss Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk were among those to lay wreaths at the memorial outside Anfield.

The whole club will fall silent at 15:06 BST - the time at which Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest was stopped.

Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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The only good thing about Trent Alexander-Arnold's likely departure is that his exit will open the door for Conor Bradley to try to nail down a starting spot.

The Northern Ireland international was excellent at home to West Ham, showing defensive and attacking nous in equal measure until his withdrawal late on because of the fact he has just come back from injury.

Bradley is so feisty and his energy sets the tone much of the time. Whereas Trent is cool, calm and composed, Bradley is a terrier. He is like a right-footed Andy Robertson when the Scot was at his best.

Liverpool will still need to buy a right-back in the summer to compete with Bradley, but even with a big name - a Jeremie Frimpong for example - Bradley has every chance of being the starter.

His main issue is fitness. His swashbuckling style has been conducive to muscle injuries so far, but hopefully that is largely because he is young and his body is still growing.

It used to be happen to Steven Gerrard in his early twenties, before the former captain turned into a physical beast.

Even though Liverpool are 13 points clear, it is going to be a big summer in the transfer market. New full-backs on both sides is key, as well as finding players who can link up properly with Mohamed Salah up top.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Liverpool and Everton are set to battle it out for 17-year-old Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg this summer. (The i), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on Liverpool's Premier League game against West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Vardon: We really are making a meal of every game at the moment. Flashes of brilliance amongst long periods of dominance, infused with an inability to turn possession of the ball into sweet finishes. Slot must be stewing on the touchline as his finest ingredients are failing to complement each other, and if not for the moment Van Dijk and Robertson finally served up something palatable for the fans, it could have been an afternoon that left a very sour taste in our mouths.

Lisa: We are walking through these past few games. I want to see fire and passion from a team about to win the Premier League.

Steve: It would be nice if Liverpool had a plan B, plan C and plan D to bring a bit of calmness to the players when playing these final games. What has happened to the good football we were playing at the beginning of the season?

West Ham fans

Nick: Thought the first 35 minutes, we were playing deep and leaving big gaps between the back four and midfield, this could not cope with their wide men - pleased we were only 1-0 down. The second half was very good, the back four gave the midfield more support, giving Kudus and Bowen more of the ball, we could have scored on a number of occasions, Paqueta another level!

Matthew: Really, really unfortunate not to get a result. Thought we played very well in the second half and Paqueta was by far man of the match! Onwards and upwards.

Paul: It was a good performance really! Funny Paqueta and Kudus suddenly played well to impress Arne Slot! When at Wolves, Bournemouth, Leicester, Nottingham Forest and many other games they did nothing.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes the Reds showed "some nerves" in their 2-1 win over West Ham United at Anfield, but praised Arne Slot's side for "mixing their game up" to move one step closer to claiming the Premier League title.

Liverpool are sitting comfortably at the top of the table with a 13-point lead and just six games left to play.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Murphy said: "It was an intriguing game. I thought there were some nerves from Liverpool. There is an edginess there, but I think it is understandable.

"I did like how Liverpool were able to mix their game up though. They have done it a lot this season, especially against teams who go there and try to play narrower and deep.

"They just really mixed their game up and it gave West Ham lots of problems. They didn't know whether to squeeze or to drop off.

"This has been a constant pattern at Anfield when teams try to do this sort of thing to Liverpool, hence the fact they have got such a good home record this season."

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 here

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Arabic football expert Mohamed Qoutb says the news of Mohamed Salah's contract extension at Liverpool has had a great impact in his native Egypt.

Speaking to BBC World Service's World Football podcast, Qoutb said: "It is fair to see that the vast majority of Egyptian football fans have enjoyed hearing this news.

"Everyone in Egypt wants to see more of the Salah-Liverpool story - it has been inspiring for a young generation and has brought people together in Egyptian cafes and in front of television screens. The hot news in Egypt is always when Liverpool are playing next to watch Salah.

"To hear that Salah is staying has been a source of pride. For Salah to complete a decade at Liverpool [if he sees his two year contract out] is something no one thought an Egyptian player could manage to achieve given previous experiences of Egyptian players in the Premier League."

Listen to the full episode on Salah here

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich Town

• Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 4-1 Manchester United

Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr could make a move for 28-year-old Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, as an alternative to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports about the West Ham goal in their 2-1 victory: "I heard him [Andy Robertson] shout but these things happen. There was time to make it right and luckily we did.

"We train a lot on it and finally today I scored the winner so onto the next."

On what he can say about contract talks: "I can tell you that I am very proud to captain my 100th game for Liverpool and it was an emotional day because of the Hillsborough anniversary. That was the main focus - to get three points and get a step closer to all of our dreams. Not just us as players or staff, but everyone connected to Liverpool FC.

"Everyone knows how much I love this club so let's see what next week will look like."

Image source, Getty Images

Arne Slot spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Liverpool's victory against West Ham: First half we did really well, good tempo and good movement - maybe we should have scored a second. Second half it was all about Alisson. They could have scored two or three in two or three moments like last week when in 15 minutes Fulham scored three. Today we were lucky that Alisson saved a few times really well. The way we conceded was a big disappointment but the boys showed why they are in the position they are in. With these mentality players - it was a win for us 2-1."

On the significance of the winning goal: "It was definitely a significant goal because now we need two more wins. I think the first 33 games have showed how difficult it is for us to win a game of football. It sounds weird when you are so many points clear but that it is the current situation of the Premier League. To win this one is nice, now we know we only have to win twice. We know what we have to do which is difficult but we will fight for it as hard as we can."

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Mohamed Salah has now been directly involved in 45 Premier League goals this term (27 goals, 18 assists); a new record for a player in a 38-game season, overtaking Thierry Henry from 2002-03 (44) and Erling Haaland in 2022-23 (44).

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

Image source, Getty Images

It isn't pretty, but Liverpool are dragging themselves over the line on their way to a second Premier League title.

They have now won their last six home league games, their best run in the second half of a Premier League season since 2022.

Liverpool were reliant on Alisson, whose return from concussion could not have been better timed as he pulled off several good saves.

The Reds were also porous at the back again, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate consistently turned around by Lucas Paqueta's passing.

But it was van Dijk who rose highest in the 89th minute to save Liverpool and take them six points from the title.

It is Arne Slot's 36th win from 50 games as Liverpool manager. Most of the other 35 have been prettier - but they all count.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Chelsea v Ipswich

• Liverpool v West Ham

• Wolves v Tottenham

• Newcastle United v Manchester United (16:30)

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

West Ham have been poor recently, and Bournemouth should have beaten them last week.

The Hammers have not really improved since Graham Potter was appointed in January, but that is not on him.

His predecessor Julen Lopetegui was not a good fit, and they have not recruited well either. Their season has been as dull as a Manchester derby and it is not going to get any better now.

So, this is a good game for Liverpool to find some form again and the same can be said for their following match, a trip to Leicester, too.

Even though Liverpool are not playing well, they will still have the desire and intensity at Anfield that they need to see off the Hammers without too much trouble. Mohamed Salah's new contract will obviously lift the fans too.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say