It`s fortunate for Liverpool that Mo Salah signed a new contract, as their chances of retaining the Premier League title would be significantly diminished without him.
Anfield`s Egyptian star, who recently extended his contract for two years, provided the assist for Luis Diaz`s opening goal, marking his 18th assist of the season.
However, it was another underwhelming performance from Arne Slot’s likely champions, as Virgil Van Dijk`s 90th-minute header secured a somewhat fortunate victory over struggling West Ham.
Captain Van Dijk had been at fault just minutes before, involved in a mix-up with Andy Robertson that led to an own goal, leveling the score for Graham Potter’s West Ham side.
Liverpool now needs only six more points to guarantee their record-equaling 20th English top-flight title, and they could be crowned champions as soon as next Sunday when they play Leicester.
If Arsenal hadn`t faltered, there might have been a genuine title race.
Salah, who now boasts 45 goals and assists this season, has broken the record for the most goal contributions in a 38-game Premier League season.
Again, he was the standout performer in a Liverpool team that won`t be remembered as one of the Premier League`s greatest champions.
He gave West Ham’s 19-year-old left-back Ollie Scarles a harsh lesson in the first half.
While Potter’s Hammers dropped into the bottom four, extending their winless streak to five games, they were arguably the better team after halftime.
Despite last week’s loss to Fulham, things looked positive for Slot.
The announcement of Salah’s new contract, coupled with Arsenal’s recent setback against Brentford, seemed to dispel any doubts about the title`s destination.
Slot welcomed back goalkeeper Alisson after a concussion and made two changes at full-back following the Fulham defeat.
After a moment of silence for the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, fans chanted Salah`s name enthusiastically.
Potter chose not to start Niclas Fullkrug, despite the forward`s goal in the previous draw against Bournemouth.
West Ham had only won two of their last ten games and arrived with low expectations, especially considering Liverpool had scored ten goals against them in their prior two encounters this season.
Early in the game, Diaz had a shot saved by Alphonse Areola, and Conor Bradley’s attempt was narrowly deflected wide.
Referee Andy Madley briefly fell after Lucas Paqueta slipped – a minor incident – before Salah began to dominate.
First, Salah skillfully controlled a long pass from Ibrahima Konate, cut inside Scarles, but shot wide of the far post.
Then, Salah`s move again confused Scarles, and his low cross allowed Diaz to score past Areola.
West Ham had been weak in attack, but then suddenly threatened the goal frame. Aaron Wan-Bissaka`s pass found Carlos Soler, forcing Alisson to make a save, and then Mohammed Kudus`s curler from an angle was tipped onto the bar by Liverpool’s keeper.
Salah, once again outplaying Scarles, set up Mac Allister for a shot that Areola stopped with his feet.
However, West Ham finished the first half strongly.
Kudus fired a long shot that hit the post, and Konstantinos Marvopanos headed a free header over the bar from a James Ward-Prowse corner.
Immediately after the restart, Liverpool regained control.
Kostas Tsimikas was fouled by Jean-Clair Todibo near the box, and Mac Allister’s free-kick struck the bar.
Mac Allister then had a shot-cross tipped over by Areola, and from the resulting corner, Ward-Prowse was fortunate to avoid a penalty for handball.
Scarles was substituted in the 57th minute, following a tough lesson from Salah, and Cody Gakpo and Robertson entered the game for Liverpool.
Liverpool struggled to finish off West Ham, and a mistake by Virgil Van Dijk allowed Jarrod Bowen to pass to Soler, who shot over the bar.
Then, Paqueta’s pass released Bowen, with Alisson rushing out to block, before Alisson had to push away a shot from Kudus.
With four minutes left, West Ham seemed to have earned a point when Wan-Bissaka sent in a low cross, and Van Dijk and Robertson both went for the ball – Van Dijk’s attempted clearance deflected off Robertson and into the net.
Diaz had a shot deflected onto the bar by Wan-Bissaka, and then Van Dijk powerfully headed in Mac Allister’s corner to secure the three points, although substitute Fullkrug still managed to head against the post in the dying moments.
