Sadio Mane
scored the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over West Ham at Anfield to take
Liverpool within three points of Premier League leaders Manchester City while defenders
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold reached reaching historic personal
landmarks.

Van Dijk broke Manchester United great Lee Sharp’s record in English top-flight with his 60th unbeaten game at home. The towering Dutchman has never tasted Premier League defeat at home since moving to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018, racking up 52 wins and eight draws in that period. 

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Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold set up Mane’s 27th minute winner to record his 16th assist of the season in all competitions, making his personal best and equalling Steven Gerrard’s record for a Liverpool player. 

Alexander-Arnold was also active at the other end of the field, clearing off the line after Pablo Fornals chipped the ball over goalkeeper Alisson and then again from a deflected follow-up shot from Nikola Vlasic.

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West Ham had two great chances in the second half, with Manuel Lanzini blazing over with the goal at his mercy and Jarrod Bowen denied by a last-ditch tackle from Andrew Robertson. Bowen had to go off injured minutes later.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his side needed “quick legs, big heart and passion” to see off the victory – The Reds’ 12th consecutive in all competitions.

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“We could have done better. We did pretty well first half, but in the second half if you are not better, you need quick legs, big heart and passion and that’s what we needed to get the result,” Klopp told BBC Match of the Day. 

Liverpool will now look for a favor from its biggest rival, Manchester United, which plays City in the derby at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

If City loses, Liverpool is in direct range of Pep Guardiola’s team and would have a game in hand.