Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool’s Premier League clash with West Ham United on Sunday afternoon
Liverpool moved ever nearer sealing the Premier League title with a dramatic victory against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. Virgil van Dijk scored in the 89th minute after Andy Robertson’s own goal had cancelled out Luis Diaz’s early opener as the Reds earned a 2-1 triumph.
Arne Slot’s side are now 13 points clear at the top of the table and require only another six points from their final six games to claim the championship in the Dutchman’s first season in charge.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield…
Jones mixed bag
Curtis Jones was restored to his usual midfield role on Sunday. And the midfielder had contrasting fortunes regards getting his point across to team-mates.
After Jones had ghosted into the centre-forward position unmarked inside the area as Liverpool embarked on one attack, he was left with his head in his hands having had his run completely ignored with the ball instead being played out wide.
But, shortly afterwards, Mohamed Salah was certainly listening when being given a pass down the line by Jones to run at teenage marker Oliver Scarles. “One v one, kill him!” came the shout, and Salah duly obliged. Ruthless this football business.
Paqueta lucky
A tough but fair contest meant referee Andy Madley didn’t have real reason to impact the game, even if the Hammers were adamant Lucas Paqueta had been fouled by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up to the Reds’ dramatic winner. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t.
Mind you, the official had already had a coming together with the West Ham midfielder during a first-half incident when he was dutifully watching on with Liverpool on the offensive.
Without warning, the referee was taken out by Paqueta with a sliding challenge from behind. Given the crackdown on such challenges, the Hammer can consider himself fortunate to escape without a booking
Robertson forgives
To say West Ham’s equaliser was somewhat calamitous for Liverpool is being charitable, Robertson a somewhat innocent party when, in attempting to clear Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s low cross, he was effectively tackled by Van Dijk with the ball flying into his own net off the left-back.
Robertson’s subsequent scowl and scream at his team-mate suggests he was less than impressed. Just moments later, however, Van Dijk atoned with the winning goal.
And his reward from his defensive colleague was to be given a smacker on the forehead. Talk about kissing and making up…
Van Dijk offers perspective
Virgil van Dijk was midway through his customary post-match chat with the assembled media in the Anfield mixed zone when he was moved to place a brief pause on proceedings. After seeing Sean Cox and his wife Martina make their way past, Van Dijk sharply made a beeline for the pair as he warmly embraced the Liverpool supporters over from Ireland.
Mr Cox was left with life-changing brain injuries after being attacked by Roma supporters outside Anfield in April 2018 and Liverpool as a club have helped with his partial recovery throughout the years since.
The Irishman and his family were guests at Anfield for the game and Van Dijk made sure to pass on his quick regards before telling them he would be through to catch up with them properly when he had concluded his post-match conversations with the media.
“It’s good to see you,” Van Dijk told Mr and Mrs Cox. “It’s been a while. I’ll come and see you guys shortly,” It was a heartwarming moment that unfolded right in front of about a dozen reporters from the local and national press. And it was a reminder of not only how much the club means to so many people but also how many other things remain much more important than football results.