In the future – when they reflect on Liverpool’s 20th English championship – this tense afternoon may not stand out. Instead, they’ll notice the final standings, a comfortable title win, and recall a Premier League sealed even before April faded into May.

Yet what took place at a nervy, electric Anfield was a team on the brink of collapse, somehow clawing its way back from the edge and turning despair into determination.

Had Liverpool only managed a draw, the cushion over Arsenal would still have been eleven with six left. Surely that would have been enough?

But football rarely obeys that logic, and everyone inside the ground – players and supporters alike – will understand that more deeply after this gripping match.

The truth is, football is often mental, not just physical. At 1-1 with a minute left, Liverpool’s mindset was in disarray, the pressure overwhelming.

They had gone ahead early through Luis Diaz and were clearly better than West Ham in every department, but they lost their rhythm and allowed nerves to take control until they barely resembled themselves.

Late in the match, Liverpool found a winner to edge out West Ham and move another step closer to the title.

The decisive goal was delivered by captain Virgil van Dijk in the 89th minute, a towering moment at Anfield.

West Ham’s equaliser, which came in the 84th minute, had been building for a long stretch. It was devastating for Liverpool, particularly as it came from an Andy Robertson own goal. Go back through the play, and Liverpool mistakes were everywhere.

Anfield was momentarily silenced, but not entirely shocked. Teams sometimes lose their way, forget how to assert themselves and close out matches.

Liverpool – who had lost at Fulham a week earlier and fallen in two major cup ties – were showing the scars, and this match was their crossroads.

So rescuing the result was essential. Without it, the mood would have been heavy for days. The next match, at Leicester, seems winnable on paper – but so did this one, and reality nearly said otherwise.

At the crucial moment, Van Dijk stepped up – but the whole team had rediscovered urgency. Funny how things flip. Liverpool had gone missing for much of the second half, retreating with every pass. Fear and self-doubt had gripped them. But desperation sparked something new. Once more, sport and mentality were intertwined.

Diaz came close again, then Alexis Mac Allister forced a save to win a corner. From that, Van Dijk rose at the Kop End to head home and blow the roof off the stadium.

There were still seven minutes of stoppage time, which were anything but smooth. West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug – nudged before Van Dijk’s goal but not enough for a foul – nearly equalised with a looping header in the 94th that hit the bar and had Alisson beaten.

Sometimes a bit of luck makes the difference – and this time, it was with Liverpool. Alisson couldn’t have saved that.

Earlier, the Brazilian – back after a head injury – hadn’t been too busy. With Arsenal slipping again the day before and Salah freshly committed with a new contract, Liverpool started sharply. They looked like champions-in-waiting for 30 solid minutes. Much improved from Fulham, and more fluent than against Everton previously.

Slot’s side played with confidence, energy, and fluency. Early efforts came from Diaz and Curtis Jones – both saved – and Conor Bradley had a shot deflected wide. Salah, too, controlled a long pass beautifully and curled just beyond the post.

The Egyptian had the better of young defender Ollie Scarles all match. The teenager kept trying to nip in and lost out. In the 18th minute, Salah escaped again, squared the ball, and Diaz finished at the back post.

West Ham nearly struck right after. Kudus chipped Alisson, who tipped it onto the bar. Mavropanos also headed a corner over before halftime. But Liverpool had more of the threat. Mac Allister came close with a volley, and again with a free kick that clipped the bar early in the second half.

Had they scored again, all problems would have disappeared. But they didn’t, and with no safety net, Liverpool began to back off. West Ham responded. Lucas Paqueta started to influence the match, and Potter’s side grew stronger.

Carlos Soler missed a big chance after Van Dijk slipped, but Alisson saved well. Then Paqueta broke past Diaz and sent Bowen through, forcing another big stop from the keeper.

Liverpool were fading, and eventually the cost was paid. Sub Jarell Quansah left a gap on the right. Wan-Bissaka surged forward, crossed, and Van Dijk and Robertson collided, the ball bouncing off the latter into the net.

Robertson let Van Dijk know exactly what he thought of his involvement in the goal.