Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to claim a late winner and move Liverpool within three points of the Premier League title and relegate Leicester City.
The full-back, who has yet to sign a new contract and been heavily linked with a free transfer move to Real Madrid at the end of the season, struck 14 minutes from time at King Power Stadium after the leaders had been frustrated by the doomed Foxes.
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a dream return, since an ankle injury in early March, by scoring with a left-footed angled effort, following efforts by Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota against the woodwork in a goalmouth scramble.
And the 26-year-old showed what the moment meant by ripping off his shirt, then celebrating wildly with the joyous Liverpool fans before hanging it from the corner flag.
Arne Slot’s side are now set for a title party at Anfield against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday – although the celebrations could start sooner depending on the result of Arsenal’s home game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Alexander-Arnold’s finish came as a relief after Salah almost opened the scoring in the opening seconds, only to see his low drive hit both posts, while Wilfred Ndidi also hit the woodwork for Leicester early on.
The stage is now set for Liverpool’s coronation as champions, while the Foxes – who became the first side in top-flight history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring – will return to the Championship after a disappointing season back in the top flight.
