Liverpool defeat West Ham as Salah breaks Premier League goal involvements record

Liverpool resumed their march to a second Premier League title on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over West Ham United, as Mohamed Salah broke the record for most goal involvements in a 38-game season and Virgil van Dijk scored a late winner.

After the Hammers had come up with an equalizer in the 86th minute, skipper Van Dijk notched the winner with a header three minutes later to move the Reds two wins away from the title.

The result gave Liverpool a 13-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with six matches left, while West Ham are 17th with 35 points, 14 points from the relegation zone.

Prior to kickoff, a minute's silence was held at Anfield to honor the 97 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster. But the fans were in full voice soon after, chanting Salah's name to celebrate his two-year contract extension.

Van Dijk's contract expires at the end of the season, but the Dutchman hinted he could stay, with a concrete development expected next week.

"The main focus was to get three points and get a little closer to all of our dreams. Everyone knows how much I love this club, let's see what next week will look like," he said. "I can say I'm very proud today to captain my 100th game for Liverpool. It was an emotional day with the Hillsborough anniversary."

Following a bright start for the home side, Salah duly delivered the cross for the first goal – a sublime pass with the outside of his boot that curled past the last defender and gave Luis Diaz a simple tap-in at the edge of the six-yard box.

Setting up the opener gave Salah the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season – 45 on 27 goals and 18 assists.

West Ham came close to an equalizer when Mohammed Kudus found Alisson off his line and attempted a lob, but the Brazilian goalkeeper scrambled backward and tipped the shot onto the crossbar to give Liverpool a reprieve.

Alexis Mac Allister nearly doubled their lead from a free kick two minutes after the restart, but saw Alphonse Areola get a hand on it as the ball rattled the crossbar.

The Reds also appeared in line for a penalty opportunity when a cross into the box hit James Ward-Prowse's hand, but it was not given. At the other end, Alisson rushed off his line to deny Jarrod Bowen, who was played through on goal by Lucas Paqueta.

As the Hammers grew into the contest, the Anfield crowd became restless, while Salah also looked visibly disappointed when he was taken off as his scoring mini-drought reached five games in all competitions.

A minute later, Liverpool gifted West Ham the equalizer when a breakdown in communication saw Andy Robertson knock in an own goal while trying to deal with Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross.

Robertson appeared to be livid with Van Dijk for not handling the cross as he screamed in frustration, but the captain made amends at the other end when he restored the home side's lead three minutes later.

As Mac Allister floated the ball in from a corner kick, Van Dijk's towering header beat the keeper to spark wild celebrations at Anfield.