Virgil van Dijk was stony-faced. So was Alisson Becker. The two of them banged their chests and waved their fists in the driving rain, but the look they both gave Liverpool’s joyous fans was one of defiance and steely focus, eyes fixed firmly on the prize.

They hesitated to say it but they knew. Everyone knows.MORE — 3 things we learned | Player ratingsArne Slot and his players celebrated with the Liverpool fans in the Manchester rain like a team who knew they are almost there in the title race.