A record-equalling 20th English top-flight title could come as early as next Sunday if Liverpool win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.

Virgil van Dijk spared Liverpool’s blushes with a late winner to beat West Ham 2-1 on Sunday and edge to within six points of the Premier League title.

Andy Robertson’s own goal four minutes from time had given the lowly Hammers a deserved equaliser after Luis Diaz put Liverpool in front early on.

Van Dijk, though, swiftly restored the lead to show Liverpool retain the mentality of champions, even if they are running out of steam in the closing stages of the season.

“That was a relief because to me it felt after West Ham scored and the way the second half went, it was maybe more that you could expect them scoring,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

“But our fans and our players thought differently because from the moment they scored the 1-1, we started playing again, we started pressing again. The fans were really loud at that moment of time.”

Liverpool’s lead stretches to 13 points with six games remaining.

A record-equalling 20th English top-flight title could come as early as next Sunday if Liverpool win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.

The stage was set before kick-off for Mohamed Salah to be the hero as the Egyptian was given a huge ovation just days after ending speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract.

Salah started with the intention of making sure he was the focus of attention as young left-back Ollie Scarles struggled to cope with the Premier League’s top scorer.

The 32-year-old has failed to score in seven of his last eight Liverpool games as his sensational early season form has failed off.

But he still managed to set a new Premier League record by registering his 45th goal or assist of the campaign, the most ever in a 38-game season.

Salah outmuscled Scarles on the touchline and sprinted clear before an inch-perfect cross for Diaz allowed the Colombian to tap in for his 15th goal of the season on 18 minutes.

Defeat sees West Ham slip to 17th in the table, but they had a series of chances to take at least a point.

The fatigue that has seen Liverpool struggle in recent times was in evidence again as they had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank for moving another three points closer to the title.

Alisson brilliantly tipped Mohammed Kudus’ attempted chip onto the bar with the visitors first serious attack.

Jarrod Bowen had West Ham’s best chance to level when he failed to beat Alisson when one-on-one with the Brazilian before he turned away another powerful drive by Kudus.

When West Ham did finally find the net, it was thanks to two of Liverpool’s most experienced defenders.

Robertson and Van Dijk both went for the same ball and the Scotland captain diverted Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net.

The goal suddenly sparked Liverpool into life after a listless second half as Diaz’s deflected effort went over the bar.

Van Dijk took just three minutes to make amends for the equaliser as he powered in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

The Dutchman kissed the badge in celebration in a potential nod to him reportedly being close to following Salah in signing a new contract.

There was still more drama to come as Niclas Fullkrug hit the bar for West Ham in stoppage time.

But Liverpool held out to take another step towards the title in Slot’s first season in charge.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will not feature in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Cameroon international has come under increasing scrutiny following a poor performance in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League.

Onana was deemed responsible for both of the French side’s goals, adding to a season already marked by high-profile mistakes.

His omission from the squad was confirmed by sources who stated it was to allow Onana to “rest and disconnect.”

The decision is not considered permanent, and the 29-year-old is expected to return for the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The error-strewn display came just a day after former United midfielder Nemanja Matic branded Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.

Despite the criticism, manager Ruben Amorim has offered his support.

Amorim publicly defended the under-fire keeper following the Lyon match, stating that he had personally made more mistakes this season than Onana.

Onana, who arrived from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47 million, has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. Although he has started all 69 Premier League games since joining, his form has remained inconsistent.

Since the beginning of last season, he has made eight errors leading directly to goals—the highest of any goalkeeper currently at a Premier League club.

Onana replaced long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea, a move made by former manager Erik ten Hag, who favored Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet.

The Nigerian football icon, nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in defence, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has joined other prominent Nigerians in paying tribute to late Super Eagles legendary former captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday. 

The Nigerian football icon, nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in defence, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

In a tribute to the former centre defender posted on his social media pages on Sunday, Otedola said that Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general.

“The sudden passing of the legendary Christian Chukwu, former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, has come as a rude shock to me. As one of Nigeria’s Patriots, Christian Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general.

“His footballing career as the captain and subsequently coach of the national team remains legendary and fully etched in the annals of our national history,” the statement said.

The former national team and Enugu Rangers captain was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, and Otedola stepped in to offer financial support for his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

The Executive Chairman of Geregu Power PLC recalled that his intervention in 2019 saw Chukwu saw through a very challenging time and gave him a new lease of life.

He condoled the family of the late legendary footballer and his fans all over the world.

“Back in 2019, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that affected his legs, I stepped in with the necessary support so as to enable him receive comprehensive care and medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

“Thankfully, that intervention and opportunity saw him through a very challenging time and gave him a new lease of life. My condolences go out to his entire family and to his fans all over the world. May you all find comfort during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”

Chukwu captained Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in 1980 and was also a former coach of the side between 2002 and 2005. He led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 edition of the continental competition in Tunisia.

He devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.