Liverpool’s 18-match winning run in focus as they match Premier League record

Liverpool beat West Ham 3-2 to secure a record-equalling 18th successive Premier League win.

Sadio Mane scored with less than 10 minutes remaining to settle a dramatic encounter at Anfield as Liverpool matched the feat achieved by Manchester City in late 2017.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at the historic run and the players involved.

Matches

1: Liverpool 2 Tottenham 1, October 27

2: Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2, November 2

The Reds left it late, with Andy Robertson and Mane scoring in the final four minutes after Trezeguet’s opener.

3: Liverpool 3 Manchester City 1, November 10

A major early strike in the title battle as goals from Fabinho, Salah and Mane left last season’s champions nine points behind despite Bernardo Silva’s consolation.

4: Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 2, November 23

Mane’s opener was cancelled out by Wilfried Zaha in the 82nd minute but Roberto Firmino soon restored the lead.

5: Liverpool 2 Brighton 1, November 30

6: Liverpool 5 Everton 2, December 4

A wild derby saw two goals from Divock Origi and one apiece for Xherdan Shaqiri and Mane give Liverpool a 4-2 lead at the end of a first half in which Michael Keane and Richarlison scored for Everton. Georginio Wijnaldum completed the scoring late on.

7: Bournemouth 0 Liverpool 3, December 7

Alisson returned to restore order with the start of a remarkable run of 10 clean sheets in 11 games, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Salah found the Cherries’ net.

8: Liverpool 2 Watford 0, December 14

Salah scored twice as Liverpool marched on.

9: Leicester 0 Liverpool 4, December 26

10: Liverpool 1 Wolves 0, December 29

Wolves battled hard but a solitary Mane goal got the job done.

11: Liverpool 2 Sheffield United 0, January 2

Salah and Mane sunk Chris Wilder’s Blades.

12: Tottenham 0 Liverpool 1, January 11

Firmino scored the only goal in north London.

13: Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0, January 19

Van Dijk’s goal put Klopp’s men on top against their bitter rivals and Salah’s late clincher was memorable for Alisson’s length-of-the-field assist – and celebration.

14: Wolves 1 Liverpool 2, January 23

Raul Jimenez cancelled out Henderson’s opener and became the first man to beat Alisson since November, but Firmino had the final say.

15: West Ham 0 Liverpool 2, January 29

Salah’s first-half penalty and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike made it 15 in a row.

16: Liverpool 4 Southampton 0, February 1

Salah’s brace, added to goals from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Henderson, meant Liverpool had taken 100 points from the last 102 available.

17: Norwich 0 Liverpool 1, February 15

18: Liverpool 3 West Ham 2, February 24

Liverpool achieved the record the hard way, squandering an early lead given to them by Wijnaldum as Issa Diop and Pablo Fornals scored for the Hammers. Salah’s fortuitous equaliser and Mane’s winner ensured a share of Premier League history.

Players

Van Dijk has played every minute while fellow defenders Alexander-Arnold and Robertson and striker Firmino have each made 17 starts and one appearance off the bench.

The same was true of captain Henderson until he missed the West Ham clash with injury, while Alisson and Wijnaldum have missed just one game apiece and Salah and Joe Gomez two. The latter began the run as a regular substitute, with his elevation to the starting line-up coinciding with the run of clean sheets.

Salah is the leading goalscorer with 11 goals, with Mane contributing eight and Firmino five, while there have been 14 different goalscorers in all.

That leaves Gomez, fellow centre-back Dejan Lovren and midfielder Adam Lallana as the only outfield players to start a game during the run without scoring.

Liverpool’s 43 goals have included three penalties – Salah against Tottenham and West Ham and Milner against Leicester – and no opposition own goals, while they have conceded only 10.