Liverpool stand two wins away from Premier League glory after beating West Ham 2-1 on Sunday.
The Reds have put themselves in a remarkable position and can secure the league title with four games still to play.
However, things have been far from simple for Liverpool over recent weeks, with West Ham continuing that theme on Sunday.
The Hammers thought they had snatched a point when Andy Robertson put through his own net with just four minutes left to play.
But up stepped Virgil van Dijk to head home a captain’s goal and send the Anfield crowd into a frenzy of delight.
As well as Van Dijk, Liverpool had Alisson Becker to thank for the three points. Alisson was brilliant on the day, making a clutch of top saves to deny West Ham. But speaking after the game, the goalkeeper cut a slightly frustrated figure.
Alisson unimpressed by Liverpool defending
Liverpool had missed Alisson during the last two games, with the 32-year-old forced to sit out following a concussion sustained while playing for Brazil in March.
He is clearly feeling no ill effects of that clash of heads, though, showcasing on Sunday why many believe him to be the best goalkeeper on the planet.
It was a good job he did, as well. As Alisson himself admitted while speaking to LFCTV, Liverpool’s defending left a lot to be desired in the second-half.
“It’s really disappointing when you concede a goal like that,” he said of Robertson’s own goal. “We know our responsibility on the goal.”
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“Sometimes you have to clap hands to the opponent because they deserve it for the way they play, but it was really poor from us for 15, 20 minutes. Defensive wise, giving too much space.
“But then we have to highlight the energy, the intensity we put at the end of the match after conceding the goal to get the winner in the last minutes, keep defending keep the result,” the goalkeeper added.
“Football is about that as well, you’re not always going to have a clear performance, clear game, you have to deal with that and this makes us strong as well.”
Conor Bradley thanks Alisson for help
Alisson was right to point out just how poor Liverpool had been for a period in the second-half. For a time it looked like West Ham could slice through them at will.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 32 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 74 | 31 | 43 | 76 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 32 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 57 | 27 | 30 | 63 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 32 | 17 | 6 | 9 | 51 | 38 | 13 | 57 |
| 4 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 31 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 56 | 40 | 16 | 56 |
One of those in the back line was Conor Bradley, who himself spoke to LFCTV post-game to thank Alisson for his help during the game.
“It makes it a hell of a lot easier having Ali behind us,” Bradley smiled. “He’s a wonderful goalkeeper, the best in the world in my opinion and we’re so happy to have him behind us.
“If I get beat one-v-one or something it’s so good to know he’s behind me because he can pull me out of jail. He’s brilliant.”
Liverpool do need to sharpen up defensively to avoid a slightly underwhelming end to the season. But with Alisson between the sticks they know they’ve always got a chance of coming out with three points regardless.
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