Liverpool two wins away from EPL title

LIVERPOOL, England (AP):

VIRGIL VAN Dijk scored a late winner against West Ham yesterday to move Liverpool within six points of the English Premier League title.

A 2-1 victory at Anfield means Arne Slot's team needs to win just two more games to be certain of a record-equalling 20th English league title and draw level with Manchester United's total.

"A big relief," was how the Liverpool manager described Van Dijk's 89th-minute header. "We saved a big set piece for a very important moment."

Liverpool had looked like dropping points when Andrew Robertson scored an own goal in the 86th to level the game at 1-1 after Luis Diaz's first-half opener. But captain Van Dijk rose to head home and ensure the league leaders took advantage after second-place Arsenal slipped up on Saturday by drawing 1-1 with Brentford.

Newcastle routed Manchester United 4-1, and Chelsea came back from 2-0 down against relegation-fighting Ipswich to draw 2-2. Wolves' hopes of avoiding the drop were further boosted by a 4-2 win against Tottenham.

Liverpool could be crowned champions as early as next Sunday if Arsenal lose to Ipswich earlier that day.

The Merseyside-based club is 13 points clear at the top of the standings with six rounds to go.

Victory completed a week of celebrations for Liverpool supporters after top scorer Mohamed Salah ended uncertainty over his future by signing a new two-year contract.

He marked that new deal in style by maintaining his outstanding form this season to cross for Diaz's opener in the 18th minute.

It was his 45th goal or assist in the league this season, which set a new record for a 38-game Premier League campaign, according to statistician Opta.

He left the field late on to a standing ovation from the home fans.

West Ham twice came close to equalising before Robertson's own goal. Mohammed Kudus hit the bar in the first half, and Jarrod Bowen was denied by Alisson when through on goal after the break.

Andre Onana was left out of Manchester United's squad for the game against Newcastle following his latest high-profile error for the club -- but it didn't prevent a heavy loss for Ruben Amorim's team.

United lost 4-1 at St. James' Park -- a 10th defeat in 21 Premier League games since Amorim took charge in November.

The loss means United will set a new club record for their lowest points haul in the Premier League era.

The storied club cannot better the 58 points they amassed in the 2021-22 campaign. Even a perfect record in their last six games would only see them reach 56 points.