Liverpool living in Alisson Wonderland after 95th minute winner

For 94 minutes, Liverpool huffed and puffed. They had 26 shots on West Brom’s goal throughout the match but still, nothing could separate the two sides. Hal Robson Kanu’s first goal in three years was cancelled out by Mohammed Salah’s brilliant strike in the first half and disappointingly Liverpool were set to walk away with only one point.

It was a must-win encounter for Liverpool as they chased Chelsea and Leicester City in the Champions League places. A draw would not be enough and it would mean that the Reds would still be 3 points off Chelsea and 5 points behind Leicester with two games to go, effectively relegating them to the Europa League for next season.

Liverpool had 25 shots inside the first 94 minutes, and 77% of the ball possession. Trent Alexander-Arnold tried his hardest, whipping in ball after ball from the right flank, but to no avail. Thiago conducted the proceedings superbly, recycling possession and letting couple of shots fly from distance. Mane even had the ball inside the back of the net but was too slow to get back from an offside position.

Liverpool were set for another frustrating result against bottom-half opposition but had one final chance to salvage their season as the clock ticked past the 94th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a delicious in swinging corner and Alisson – who ran up for the final set-piece – rose highest and thumped the perfect header into the side netting past Sam Johnstone in goal.

It was a moment of pure magic that was met with utter disbelief and pandemonium by the Liverpool players and the staff on the bench. Jurgen Klopp turned around with his jaw dropped as if he was living in a dreamland. The players mobbed their goal-keeper, who couldn’t hold back the tears and dropped to his knees and pointed to the heavens after scoring.

After the game, Alisson gave an emotion-filled interview where he dedicated his goal to his father, who had tragically drowned earlier this year. “I wish he was here to see it, I am sure he is celebrating with God at his side” the Brazilian stated as he tried to fight back the tears.  This was Alisson’s first career goal and only the 6th goal scored by a goalkeeper in the Premier League. Whatever it was, this moment of magic puts Liverpool in the driver’s seat for the Champions League places and gives them a fighting chance as we head to the conclusion of one of the most extraordinary Premier League seasons in recent memory.