Joy for Arne Slot as Liverpool near Premier League title

After his team pulled off a late 2-1 victory at home against West Ham, bringing the Premier League title within two wins, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot allowed his relief to give way to something more joyous.

Slot acknowledged that they might not have fully merited the three points that were secured by Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 89th minute, barely four minutes after the Hammers had equalized.

Knowing that a record-tying 20th league title was nearly certain, the Dutchman gave a rare display of emotion after the final whistle, pumping his fists twice in front of the Kop.

“It was a big relief. Ali (goalkeeper Alisson Becker) made sure they didn’t score earlier, they had multiple chances to score the 1-1 in the second half,” said Slot, whose 36 wins in his first 50 matches is seven better than the previous bests of Joe Fagan and Sir Kenny Dalglish.

“To me it felt after West Ham scored, the way the second half went, we could expect to score more but our fans and players thought differently.

“From the moment they scored the 1-1 we started playing again, we started pressing again, the fans were really loud at that time.

“We saved a big set-piece for a very important moment because in the modern game, set-pieces are important,” he added.

Despite not scoring, Mohamed Salah’s cross for Luis Diaz’s 18th-minute attempt was his 45th Premier League goal involvement (27 goals, 18 assists), and the most in a 38-game season. Salah was celebrating the signing of a new deal.

Alisson might contend that his saves, especially in the second half, were just as significant, but Van Dijk, another player who is expected to sign a new two-year contract this week, was the key player.

He went home to begin the title celebration just minutes after the Dutch defender’s attempted clearance off Andy Robertson was successful.

Liverpool are 13 points ahead of Arsenal on the league log and are set to win the trophy if they win the next three games and Arsenal drop points.