Trent Alexander-Arnold propelled Liverpool to the brink of the Premier League crown with a late strike that secured a 1-0 victory at Leicester City — a result which confirmed the Foxes’ relegation following Arsenal’s emphatic 4-0 triumph over Ipswich Town earlier in the day.

Arne Slot’s side had the opportunity to seal a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title, provided they claimed all three points at the King Power Stadium and Arsenal had failed to win at Portman Road.

While Liverpool fulfilled their part of the task, the Gunners ensured the champagne remained on ice for at least a little longer, as their comfortable win delayed the Reds’ coronation.

Despite Arsenal’s result, Liverpool’s hard-fought success leaves them 13 points clear at the summit with just five matches remaining for both sides. The Merseysiders will be confirmed as champions should Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday, or if Liverpool overcome Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on 28th April.

For much of the match, it appeared that Liverpool’s title celebrations might have to wait, as second-from-bottom Leicester frustrated the visitors despite a host of clear-cut chances.

However, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 76th minute, when Alexander-Arnold — introduced from the bench — reacted quickest to lash home a rebound from close range, after both Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota had struck the crossbar in quick succession.

With growing speculation that the England full-back could be set for a move to Real Madrid once his contract expires at the end of the season, his impassioned celebration — tearing off his shirt and planting it on the corner flag before racing to the jubilant travelling support — suggested the moment carried particular significance.

Reflecting on the result, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said:

“It took us a long time, but what a special moment for Trent after working so hard to return from injury. To score the decisive goal is a fantastic reward. It’s never difficult to dream about the title, but we remain fully focused on Tottenham.”

While Liverpool edge ever closer to reclaiming the crown for the first time since 2020, Leicester’s one-year return to the Premier League has ended in disappointment, their 23rd defeat in 33 league fixtures confirming their relegation to the Championship.

Earlier in the afternoon, fresh from securing a historic victory over Real Madrid to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, Arsenal produced a dominant display at Portman Road to delay Liverpool’s title celebrations.

Mikel Arteta’s side, featuring only three changes from the line-up that triumphed in Madrid, wrapped up the points inside the opening half-hour.

Leandro Trossard — one of the players restored to the starting XI — opened the scoring with his eighth league goal of the season, prodding home following a slick attacking move.

The Gunners doubled their advantage soon after, as Bukayo Saka’s cross was deflected by Mikel Merino into the path of Gabriel Martinelli, who made no mistake with the finish.

Ipswich’s task became all the more difficult moments later, when Leif Davis was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Saka, leaving the hosts with ten men.

Trossard added his second and Arsenal’s third with a well-taken strike following a cleverly worked corner routine, before Ethan Nwaneri’s deflected effort rounded off the scoring.

The defeat leaves Ipswich’s survival hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads; they now trail 17th-placed West Ham United by 15 points with just five fixtures remaining, and their inferior goal difference only compounds the challenge.

Elsewhere, Chelsea revived their hopes of securing Champions League qualification with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory away to Fulham.

Alex Iwobi fired the hosts in front on 20 minutes, and for long spells it appeared the Blues were heading for another damaging defeat. However, substitute Tyrique George restored parity with a smartly taken effort from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute — his first Premier League goal for the club.

Pedro Neto then completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time, smashing home a superb winner to secure Chelsea’s sixth victory in their last 17 league outings.

The result sees Enzo Maresca’s side climb above Nottingham Forest into fifth place, with Forest set to travel to Tottenham on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s dismal domestic form continued, as they slumped to a club-record 15th league defeat of the season — and an eighth at Old Trafford — following a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pablo Sarabia’s inch-perfect free-kick 13 minutes from time proved decisive, sealing a fifth consecutive top-flight victory for Wolves, who climb to 15th — level on points with United, who remain 14th by virtue of goal difference.