Arne Slot was left alone to lap up the applause from all four sides of Anfield.

Alisson Becker, meanwhile, was ushering those Liverpool players wandering towards the tunnel to instead join the rest of their team-mates in the centre circle.

Then came the roar, a guttural, almost defiant crescendo of noise from the Kop as the Reds squad saluted the backing of their supporters after taking a step nearer the Premier League crown.

If there’s one thing Liverpool’s run-in has been missing, it’s a genuine sense of jeopardy given Arsenal’s abject failure to offer up anything like a proper challenge in recent weeks.

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And while the Reds would surely sooner have continued their procession towards a record-equalling 20th championship with a routine win here against West Ham United, that it was eventually secured in dramatic fashion was a reminder there’s nothing straightforward about winning the title.

The frenetic finale was also something of a throwback to the days under Jurgen Klopp, such was the swiftness of the response after Luis Diaz’s early opener had been wiped out by a comical Andy Robertson own goal four minutes from time.

Virgil van Dijk, culpable for the West Ham equaliser, took only three minutes to make amends when meeting Alexis Mac Allister’s corner with a powerful header that left West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola rooted to the spot.

The mixture of relief and delight among both the Liverpool players and supporters was tangible

And it offered a moment that, while hardly defining in the title race, will be fondly remembered.

That it was Alisson Becker - back in the starting line-up after missing two games through concussion - who rounded up the troops post-match was wholly appropriate given the goalkeeper had ensured West Ham’s stirring second-half revival, helped by the inevitable nerves that gripped Liverpool’s performance, wasn’t more damaging.

And having been among those remaining players denied this kind of afternoon during the closing stages of the Reds' last Premier League title win five years ago, clearly the Brazilian wants to make the most of it.

Indeed, Liverpool could be crowned champions before they are next in Anfield action against Tottenham Hotspur in a fortnight.

Six points from six games is all that’s needed to cap a remarkable debut campaign for Slot with the most cherished of silverware

So much for the tribal naysayers who say Liverpool are stumbling towards the title
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