Mohamed Salah`s recent contract extension proved vital for Liverpool as they edged closer to the Premier League title with a hard-fought victory against West Ham.
Salah, fresh off signing a new two-year deal, set up Luis Diaz for the opening goal, marking his 18th assist of the season.
Despite leading, Liverpool`s performance under manager Arne Slot was not entirely convincing. Virgil Van Dijk`s 90th-minute header ultimately secured a victory that many felt West Ham didn`t deserve.
Earlier, Van Dijk was involved in a defensive mix-up with Andy Robertson, leading to Robertson inadvertently scoring an own goal, which leveled the score for West Ham, managed by Graham Potter.
Liverpool now needs just six more points to guarantee their 20th top-flight league title, potentially as soon as next Sunday`s match against Leicester.
The game highlighted Salah`s brilliance, as he broke the Premier League record for most goal contributions in a 38-game season, reaching 45 goals and assists.
Salah was a standout performer in a Liverpool team that, while on the verge of championship, might not be remembered as one of the league`s most dominant title winners.
He was particularly impressive in the first half, giving young West Ham left-back Ollie Scarles a difficult lesson.
West Ham, despite a spirited performance in the second half and sliding into the bottom four, extended their winless streak to five games.
Despite a strong effort from West Ham, Liverpool managed to clinch the win in the final moments. After Robertson`s own goal equalized the match, Van Dijk redeemed himself by heading in the winning goal from a corner by Mac Allister. Even after Van Dijk`s goal, West Ham continued to push, with Fullkrug hitting the post in the dying moments of the game.
