Virgil van Dijk’s thumping header kept Liverpool on course to win the Premier League title moments after Andy Robertson’s own goal looked to have earned West Ham a point at Anfield.
Van Dijk rose highest to score in front of the Kop and extend Liverpool’s lead in the Premier League to 13 points, salvaging what had turned into a frustrating afternoon for the Premier League leaders.
Van Dijk’s clearance had rattled into Robertson in the 87th minute and it was no less than what West Ham deserved after a scrappy second half from Arne Slot’s champions elect.
Mohamed Salah had celebrated his contract extension by setting up Luis Diaz’s first-half opener with a stylish cross, but Liverpool struggled until Van Dijk’s 89th minute winner.
It means Liverpool are now within six points of winning the Premier League title after Arsenal’s draw against Brentford yesterday - and it could even be all over next weekend.
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Liverpool vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
- Liverpool go within two wins of the Premier League title with win over West Ham
- 90+4' OFF THE BAR! Fullkrug heads onto the bar late on [LIV 2-1 WHU]
- 89' GOAL! Van Dijk restores Liverpool's lead at the death [LIV 2-1 WHU]
- 86' GOAL! Robertson own goal draws Hammers level [LIV 1-1 WHU]
- 47' OFF THE BAR! Mac Allister hits bar with free-kick [LIV 1-0 WHU]
- 21' OFF THE BAR! Alisson tips cheeky Kudus lob onto the woodwork [LIV 1-0 WHU]
- 18' GOAL! Salah puts it on a plate for Diaz to open the scoring [LIV 1-0 WHU]
Liverpool FC 2 - 1 West Ham United FC
Virgil van Dijk delivers priceless Liverpool moment - and new contract ‘will be next’
17:37
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Richard Jolly
There will come a point, perhaps in the next few days, when Virgil van Dijk puts pen to paper. There will be a time, probably in the few weeks, when he lifts the Premier League trophy. It if it shaping up as an eventful April for the footballer who will become the first Dutchman to skipper a side to the English title, its most dramatic few minutes may already have occurred.
Liverpool were wobbling, three minutes after conceding. Often immaculate, Van Dijk had been culpable, clearing Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into Andy Robertson and seeing it roll past the previously unbeatable Alisson for an own goal.
“Time to make it right,” Van Dijk said. A man who tends to exude authority restored order. Van Dijk headed in Alexis Mac Allister’s 89th-minute corner, leading by authority, marking his 100th Premier League game as captain by taking his team to the brink of the title. “One step closer to all of our dreams,” he added.
Liverpool scrape past Hammers to move to within just TWO wins of the Premier League title
17:30
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Will Castle
Van Dijk steps up when it matters most
17:00
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Will Castle
Virgil van Dijk puts Liverpool back in front! pic.twitter.com/AMNKhnv0hV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 13, 2025
What it means in the title race
16:40
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Will Castle
Liverpool are now a maximum of just six points off a 20th Premier League title.
Today’s win means that if the Reds beat relegation-destined Leicester next weekend, they can seal the title at Anfield against Tottenham on April 27 - and that’s if Arsenal don’t drop points again.
Arne Slot will know today was anything but convincing, but those scraped results are the sort of wins required to become champions of England.
NEXT UP: Newcastle vs Man United
16:20
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Will Castle
Today’s Premier League action is far from over as we now move our attention to St. James’s Park, where Newcastle lock horns with Man United.
Follow The Independent’s live coverage below:
Liverpool move a step closer to Premier League immortality - even if it wasn't pretty
16:06
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Nervy and unconvincing, perhaps, but Liverpool are a step closer. They only need six points now.
And it was fitting that Virgil van Dijk, who will lift the title, scored the goal that took them a step closer. It was fitting in a different way that Alexis Mac Allister, the best player on the pitch, got the assist.
West Ham may have deserved a point but Liverpool got all three.
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
15:56
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Will Castle
Liverpool are TWO WINS AWAY from winning the Premier League title!
The Reds come away with an unconvincing victory as Virgil van Dijk’s late header nicks all three points for the league leaders, this time able to capitalise on Arsenal’s blunder against Brentford.
That moves them 13 points clear atop the division, with a 20th league title on the very near horizon!
Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
15:56
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Will Castle
90+7 mins: Alisson claims a cross from the left. That could be enough to see Liverpool through.
Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
15:55
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Will Castle
90+6 mins: Yellow card for Coufal who shows dissent after committing foul.
Into the last of the seven added minutes - can Liverpool hold on?
Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
15:53
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Will Castle
90+4 mins: OFF THE BAR! Another scare for Liverpool!
Fullkrug heads onto the bar as West Ham threaten to equalise again.
This is as nervy as it gets.
Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
15:51
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Will Castle
90+1 mins: It’s been a crazy end climax at Anfield.
West Ham were deserving of their equaliser, but it’s like these that make champions.
It’s not over yet though - Liverpool have SEVEN minutes to hold on.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
15:48
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Will Castle
89 mins: GOAL! LIVERPOOL PROVE WHY THEY’RE CHAMPIONS-ELECT!
It’s Virgil van Dijk who goes from zero to hero, heading in past Areola from the corner.
A HUGE goal for the Reds!
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 West Ham
15:45
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Will Castle
86 mins: GOAL! ANDY ROBERTSON KNOCKS INTO HIS OWN NET!
It’s a horror show at the back as Robertson and Van Dijk fail to communicate, effectively tackling each other as the ball trickles past Alisson into the Liverpool net.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:43
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Will Castle
82 mins: Virgil van Dijk just channeled Liverpool’s own Paddy Pimblett to knee teammate Robertson in the head, leaving him a bit worse for wear.
A sore one but he’s back up and looks ok.
Meanwhile, here comes Liverpool’s finisher. Wataru Endo comes on for Mo Salah, who gets a standing ovation.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:39
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Will Castle
79 mins: Corner comes to nothing, not before West Ham bring Fullkrug and Guilherme come on.
Graham Potter is turning up the gas.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:37
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Will Castle
77 mins: Liverpool have been off it in this second half and West Ham are looking to capitalise.
Nearly opened up for Kudus there but a challenge is made. Corner for West Ham coming up.
An air of frustration and nervousness inside Anfield.
Liverpool looking to shut down the game with Alisson called into action
15:33
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
A few nervy moments for Liverpool. Alisson has been excellent and they have had reasons to be glad he is back after sitting out games because of concussion protocols.
That Slot has changed both full-backs is a sign he was looking to shut the game down. Liverpool haven't managed it yet, however.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:30
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Will Castle
72 mins: SAVE! Another important intervention from Alisson as Kudus fires a shot across goal.
Liverpool need to liven themselves up.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:29
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Will Castle
70 mins: Jarell Quansah and Dominik Szoboszlai are on for Liverpool, with Bradley and Jones making way.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:28
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Will Castle
69 mins: Awkward corner whipped on top of Alisson, who collides with a Hammers man in the box.
Bounces out for a goal kick and Liverpool get a reprieve.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:26
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Will Castle
67 mins: SAVE! Alisson to Liverpool’s rescue!
Bowen is slipped through and the flag saves down, but he can’t dink it over Alisson who stands tall.
West Ham are seriously probing.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:21
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Will Castle
62 mins: CHANCE! A golden chance to equalise from Soler.
Van Dijk doesn’t deal with the forward ball allowing Bowen to break into the box. It’s pulled back towards Soler who can’t keep his shot down, skying it from just in front of the penalty spot.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:19
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Will Castle
60 mins: A few changes to make note of.
Hammers youngster Scarles makes way for Coufal, while Gakpo and Robertson enter the fray for Jota and Tsimikas.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:17
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Will Castle
56 mins: Liverpool will probably feel hard-done by after James Ward-Prowse’s high hand made contact with the ball from a Mac Allister corner.
It took about a minute for VAR to clear it, judging it as accidental. Granted, JWP knew nothing about it - but given the unnatural position of his arm, he should feel pretty fortunate.
In Europe, that’s given every day of the week.
Alexis Mac Allister stealing the show
15:14
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Alexis Mac Allister has been terrific so far, coming close to scoring on four occasions and seemingly enjoying more licence to get forward in a midfield without Szoboszlai.
After his brilliant goal at Fulham last week, he has almost added another cracker today.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:14
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Will Castle
54 mins: SAVE! That would have been something SPECIAL from Mac Allister.
The ball comes out to the Argentinian after a corner was cleared - and spotting Areola off his line, he goes to audaciously loft it over the Frenchman.
Areola gets a hand to it to claw over for another corner.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:11
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Will Castle
52 mins: Paqueta picks the ball up in the middle of the park and allows him to waltz forward before slipping one through to Bowen.
Van Dijk gets across to prevent Bowen from testing Alisson but the flag goes up anyway.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:09
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Will Castle
50 mins: Luis Diaz makes space on the left but his drilled ball goes straight into the side-netting.
Liverpool have started this second-half with intent - likely aware that the one-goal margin is a fragile one, no matter how dominant you are.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:06
,
Will Castle
47 mins: OFF THE BAR! Brilliant free-kick effort from Mac Allister but he’s denied by the crossbar!
BACK UNDERWAY! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
15:04
,
Will Castle
46 mins: BACK UNDERWAY! We’re off again. Liverpool kicking towards their favoured Kop.
Immediately, Tsimikas is brought down on the edge of the West Ham area. This is in a good position.
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:55
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Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:49
,
Will Castle
And that’ll be the last action of the half!
Liverpool lead and deservedly so, with Mohamed Salah showcasing exactly why the Reds offered him a bumper contract by brilliantly setting up Luis Diaz for the opener.
However, West Ham have shown signs of threat - and with the deficit only at one, they are still very much in this.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:47
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Will Castle
45+1 mins: CHANCE! Mavropanos meets the corner just in front of the penalty spot and he really should score.
He gets a good connection on it but heads over.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:46
,
Will Castle
45 mins: Kudus lofts one in towards the back post, Van Dijk heads out for a corner.
A late chance for West Ham to snatch an equaliser.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:45
,
Will Castle
43 mins: West Ham haven’t been able to do much in this first half but when they have, it’s come through Kudus.
The forward receives the ball in space 30-odd yards out and releases a rocket towards the top-left corner - Alisson never looked troubled but it only went just wide of the post.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:41
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Will Castle
39 mins: Minor penalty shout as Salah tries to get past Wan Bissaka before going to ground - looked more like the Englishman eased out Salah rather than illegally impeding him.
Up the other end, Kudus forces Alisson into a sharp save, only for the flag to go up. It wouldn’t have counted.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:37
,
Will Castle
35 mins: Liverpool are just chipping away at West Ham at the moment, pressing persistently and not giving their visitors a moment to get comfortable.
They’re peppering the Hammers box with crosses - Diaz just headed over from a Tsimikas delivery.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:35
,
Will Castle
33 mins: SAVE! Salah dinks a perfect through ball to Mac Allister who slides in the volley - Areola makes himself big to deny the midfielder.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:33
,
Will Castle
32 mins: Ward-Prowse whips in a free-kick that’s met by a West Ham head but the offside flag goes up.
Van Dijk looks to get things going again promptly and pings an absolute beauty to Salah up the field.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:30
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Will Castle
28 mins: Diaz tries to pull it across the box and while it’s cut out by a West Ham body, Mac Allister comes in to try and wrestle the ball away in the six-yard box.
The Hammers survive the press and get out.
Salah flying off the back of his new contract
14:29
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
A couple of moments when Mohamed Salah has given Ollie Scarles a schooling: first for the goal and then when he fooled the young defender by taking Virgil van Dijk's diagonal ball out of the Anfield sky.
Salah seems sharp today. The crowd seem buoyed his new contract and he looks it, too.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:28
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Will Castle
25 mins: Liverpool have switched back into gear after the Kudus scare and are looking the team more likely to get the next goal.
Salah is having a superb game so far and is, unsurprisingly, Liverpool’s main source of threat so far.
Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:24
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Will Castle
21 mins: OFF THE BAR! So nearly an equaliser!
West Ham try to set Soler through but Alisson gets there first. The ball then comes to Kudus who attempts a cheeky lob, but the Brazilian scampers back and gets a crucial tip onto the crossbar.
A warning sign for Liverpool.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
14:20
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Will Castle
18 mins: GOAL! He didn’t score it, but that goal was ALL about Mo Salah!
The Egyptian once again gets the better of Scarles and runs down the wing before curling a beautiful outside-the-boot pass into Diaz to tap home!
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:19
,
Will Castle
17 mins: CLOSE! So nearly a trademark Mo Salah goal to mark his extension!
The Egyptian brings the ball down brilliantly and skips past Scarles to put it on his favoured left foot - he then bends one but it goes just past the post.
Liverpool starting brightly
14:17
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
A bright start from Liverpool, with Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley coming close.
West Ham look intent on a damage-limitation exercise, which is perhaps understandable as they have already conceded 10 goals to Liverpool this season.
Julen Lopetegui didn't enjoy his meetings with Liverpool. Graham Potter is trying to show more resilience.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:16
,
Will Castle
14 mins: CLOSE! Conor Bradley receives it on the edge of the box and drills an effort towards the bottom left corner, just slips wide of the post.
That would have been some way to mark your return to action.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:15
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Will Castle
12 mins: Todibo clatters into Luis Diaz before clamping Alexis Mac Allister to concede a free-kick.
From that, Lucas Paqueta slips and takes out Andy Madley! Luckily, the ref opts not to take a leaf out of Tony Chapron’s book (if you know, you know) and laughs it off.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:13
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Will Castle
10 mins: Liverpool not rushing things at the moment, just ticking it around the back and patiently waiting for something to open up.
Every time West Ham gain possession, they’re losing it instantly.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:10
,
Will Castle
8 mins: Jones slips it through to Salah to chase, well-defended to prevent the Egyptian from stepping in front of his man and going one-on-one.
Nothing comes from the corner.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:08
,
Will Castle
6 mins: Luis Diaz wriggles clear and tries to curl one, Areola dives across to make the save.
Liverpool have started brightly.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:05
,
Will Castle
3 mins: Luis Diaz whips one in from the top-left corner of the box, Kilman gets there first and nods out for a corner.
The delivery falls to Curtis Jones who dinks it back into the area - a Liverpool head wins it but the knock-down fails to threaten. Chance goes awry.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
14:02
,
Will Castle
1 min: KICK-OFF! And with that, we’re underway.
A rousing yet poignant rendition of YNWA ahead of Hillsborough tribute
14:01
,
Will Castle
Nearly 36 years to the day since 97 fans tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough.
As always, a perfectly observed minute of silence at Anfield.
Three more wins (if that) until Premier League immortality
13:52
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Liverpool need three wins to become champions. Though they probably don't, in reality.
But West Ham's awful record at Anfield and undistinguished season suggests one could come today, even when Liverpool have lost three of their last four games.
Arne Slot may not have rotated enough this season but has omitted Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson today.
Closing in on kick-off
13:50
,
Will Castle
We’re just 10 minutes away from kick-off at Anfield.
Liverpool could go within just two wins of the Premier League title with victory over West Ham today, but can Graham Potter’s side throw a spanner - or hammer - in the works?
We’ll have all the action from Anfield, right here.
Graham Potter on Niclas Fullkrug's benching
13:48
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Will Castle
"The impact he has for us is clear but at the same time he has had a season of injury,” he told Sky Sports.
“He had some fatigue after the last game so we are being ultra careful with him because we need him to be fit for the remainder of the season and I think the impact he can have at the back end of the game is where he is at physically."
Conor Bradley living his dreams as part of Liverpool title push
13:45
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Will Castle
"It's what I dreamed of since being a little kid, playing for Liverpool but also now being involved in a title race and hopefully bringing a title back to Liverpool again - it would be lovely, so hopefully we can do that,” he told Sky Sports.
"I think it is massive that we enjoy it [the run-in] but we want to finish the season as strong as we can and hopefully today we can put on a good performance and get a good win."
Arne Slot on Anfield vibes following Salah extension
13:43
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Will Castle
"I think it is only a positive vibe for the fans,” Slot told Sky Sports. “They love him [Mohamed Salah] so they will like to keep him here for two more years.
“But I think the main thing they would like to see today is the team getting a good performance in and getting a good result.
"We all know Mo has been really important in attributing to results so I think that's what today is about - the West Ham game - but it's very nice for the short-term and long-term picture of the club.”
Jarred Bowen hoping to star against old admirers
13:40
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Will Castle
Jarrod Bowen might have failed to find the levels of last season, but he is still in double figures for the campaign, despite missing the whole of January due to injury.
He has 10 goals so far, compared to the 20 he scored last season but excluding own goals, he has been directly involved in six of West Ham’s last seven goals against Liverpool in all competitions.
The Reds once tipped the Englishman as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah down the right - and while the Egyptian is staying put at Anfield, today might pose the perfect opportunity for Bowen to show what Liverpool are missing out on.
FA Cup heartache for the Liverpool's women's team
13:30
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Will Castle
Aggie Beever-Jones scored a stoppage-time winner as Chelsea denied Liverpool a place in the Women's FA Cup.
Liverpool took the lead against the run of play through Olivia Smith's low finish, but Erin Cuthbert levelled on the stroke of half-time for the hosts.
With the game seemingly destined for extra time, Beever-Jones' late header secured Chelsea's place in next month's Wembley final and kept the team's quadruple hopes alive.
Arsenal’s title hopes take another hit against Brentford
13:20
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Will Castle
Arsenal’s wafer-thin hopes of contesting for the Premier League title were dealt another seismic blow following a 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Emirates.
Just days after their stunning 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s men were brought crashing back down to Earth with a draw that puts them 10 points adrift of Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring for Arsenal after 61 minutes but Brentford responded through Yoane Wissa 13 minutes later.
Virgil van Dijk hints at ‘progress’ in Liverpool contract talks
13:10
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Will Castle
Virgil van Dijk appears set to follow Mohamed Salah in extending his Liverpool contract after revealing there has been “progress” in his talks with the club over a new deal.
The Liverpool captain is out of contract at the end of the season and has previously been tight-lipped about discussions.
But the 33-year-old told reporters following Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at Fulham that there had been a positive development.
Liverpool could break a new record against West Ham
13:05
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Will Castle
These two sides have already met twice this season and Liverpool have scored five on both occasions, first in the League Cup when they won 5-1 at Anfield, before following it up with a 5-0 league win at the end of December in the capital.
Both Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota have scored three goals against the Hammers this season, while five other scorers have also been on the scoresheet. In fact, a Liverpool player also scored West Ham’s goal with Jarell Quansah putting through his own net.
No English top-flight team has ever scored five or more goals against another team three times in the same season before, but if anyone was going to do it you wouldn’t put it past Liverpool.
Two welcome returns for Liverpool
13:01
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Will Castle
West Ham line-up
12:57
,
Will Castle
Five at the back for West Ham as the visitors make two changes - Soler and Mavropanos come into the squad.
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