Virgil van Dijk turned to the Kop and let out a thunderous roar. The 33-year-old Liverpool captain had just headed in an 89th-minute goal against West Ham United, restoring the lead at Anfield and pushing the Reds within reach of a vital 2-1 win — one that could prove crucial in the Premier League title race.
Just minutes earlier, Van Dijk had been partly at fault for West Ham’s equalizer, after a defensive lapse led to Andy Robertson accidentally turning the ball into his own net. With Liverpool having lost three of their previous four games across all competitions, the mood had turned anxious. But as the final minutes ticked away, Van Dijk rose to the occasion. The stadium erupted, and on the sidelines, manager Arne Slot let loose a rare, intense celebration — the kind he’s saved for only the season’s most defining moments.
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