Goals early and late from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah earned a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday and a 13th straight league win since the sides last met at Old Trafford in October.

The battle for top four places was at a standstill after Chelsea, United and Leicester were beaten, while Tottenham and Arsenal had to settle for draws.

After a 30-year wait to win the title, punctuated by collapses from promising positions, the fear it could slip away again has all but evaporated at Anfield as Liverpool streak further clear of the field.

The lead now stands at 16 points with a game in hand over second-placed Manchester City.

For a side that have taken 64 points from the last possible 66 in the Premier League, and won a Champions League in that time, that is an advantage that is almost certain to not be surrendered.

(With input from AFP)