WE’RE IN FOUR WINS FROM THEIR FIRST TITLE IN 30 YEARS THE MANE

Sadio cashes in after Fabianski howler as Reds close in on title glory

THEY are just unstoppable.

They get past every hurdle, every scare, to chase down records in their incredible, remarkable season.

Sadio Mane got the late winner on a nervy night when West Ham – yes, really – pushed Liverpool all of the way and nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season.

But the runaway leaders equalled two records – and more will follow. They made it 18 consecutive Premier League wins to equal Manchester City’s record of two seasons ago and this was their 21st straight home win to level their own record set in 1972.

They have got more in sight. It is now 44 games unbeaten, five short of Arsenal’s record of 49 and the title will surely follow before the end of March.

It was heartbreaking for West Ham who put up such a brave fight, deserved more for their fans who never stopped singing all night but it was yet another defeat after their keeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered a nightmare.

His first costly error came after just nine minutes.

Full-back Trent Alexander-arnold (right) whipped a cross back into the box from the right, Georginio Wijnaldum stooped and headed past Fabianski who should have kept the ball out.

That was Wijnaldum’s 11th goal of the season but also Alexander-arnold’s 11th assist in the Premier League. He has more assists than any of his team-mates and only Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne with 16 has more in the Premier League.

That was surely cue for a battering. But actually, the opposite happened. West Ham rose up and fought. While the travelling fans displayed their banners to protest against the club’s ownership, they never stopped singing for their team all night. Just three minutes later, boss David Moyes saw his men draw level. Robert Snodgrass’s nearpost corner created havoc in the Liverpool box, Issa Diop evaded Joe Gomez and the West Ham defender headed home with keeper Alisson unable to keep it out.

The Hammers fought and scrapped. Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice battled in midfield, Michail Antonio caused problems up front. They may be 52 points behind their opponents, but they put up a better fight than most teams have done at Anfield. After the

restart before Soucek went off injured. That felt like a real blow as the Czech Republic star had been outstanding and on came Pablo Fornals.

But relegation-threatened West Ham were not buckling – and then they stunned Anfield. Rice swept over a cross and there was Fornals, who got away from Gomez, and put the ball past Alisson.

The whole stadium fell silent in disbelief apart from the pocket of Hammers fans. But just when the Kop was beginning to get a anxious, then came the equaliser. Andy Robertson’s cross found Mo Salah, his shot was weak but it went through Fabianski’s legs. The keeper (right) should have done better on the first, but this was a howler.

With than 20 minutes left, it was all there for Liverpool. Sure enough, they did not have to wait for long. Gomez’s shot was deflected, Alexander-arnold put over a cross and there was Mane to score the winner.

This was a major scare, but you always feel that Liverpool will win. They always do.