Category: Liverpool

Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow as Jurgen Klopp’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham at the London Stadium.

The visitors hit back superbly after shipping the opening goal to Jarrod Bowen’s 43rd-minute header with goals from Andy Robertson (48′) and an unfortunate own goal by home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola (65′) earning them a 2-1 lead after Cody Gakpo had driven the ball against Angelo Ogbonna.

But Michail Antonio popped up on 77 minutes to power home a Bowen cross in earning West Ham a point that never looked likely after being pressed back for large swathes of the second half.

Liverpool remain third in the table, two points behind Arsenal before Mikel Arteta’s side visit Tottenham on Sunday, with champions Manchester City a point better off before their trip to Nottingham Forest.

City have two games in hand over Klopp’s side, while the Gunners have one.

A frustrating day of missed opportunity for Liverpool was perhaps best summed up by manager Jurgen Klopp and substitute Mo Salah exchanging words in the aftermath of Antonio’s equaliser for the home side.

“We’re in a very, very difficult position. If Arsenal win, it is five points and Man City have some games in hand. Not impossible, but very difficult,” conceded Cody Gakpo on TNT Sports.

West Ham stay eighth on 49 points from 35 games, with the excellent Bowen equalling Paolo Di Canio’s record total of 16 goals for the Hammers in a Premier League season.

Referee Anthony Taylor was caught up in controversy as he blew the whistle to stop play with Cody Gakpo apparently set to slot the winning goal late on.

West Ham goalkeeper Areola dropped the ball to his feet after apparently recovering from injury, but Taylor had been playing advantage due to an earlier infringement against the home side and opted to blow his whistle when he realised West Ham were no longer gaining an advantage.

In the spirit of the game, it would not have been correct for Taylor to allow Gakpo to score, but the easiest way to solve the confusion was to forget playing advantage and immediately award West Ham a free-kick before Areola needed treatment.

How Diaz left London without helping his side to three points is a minor mystery. The Colombian winger hit the post in the first half before playing provider for Andy Robertson’s equaliser and generally causing West Ham all sorts of problems with an outstanding display. Only the brilliance of Areola in the West Ham goal denied him seconds before the home side equalised.

West Ham: Areola 8, Coufal 7, Zouma 6, Ogbonna 6, Emerson 7, Soucek 6, Alvarez 6, Kudus 6, Paqueta 6, Bowen 8, Antonio 8. Subs: Ward-Prowse 6

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Van Dijk 7, Quansah 6, Robertson 7, MacAllister 7, Gravenberch 6, Endo 6, Elliott 7, Gakpo 7, Diaz 8. Subs: Gomez 6, Szoboszlai 6, Nunez 6, Salah 6

43′ GOAL! WEST HAM 1-0 LIVERPOOL (BOWEN) West Ham work a short corner as Bowen rises to head home the cross from Kudus. So simple. His 20th goal of the season after he had won the corner with his shot saved by Alisson. Awful defending by the visitors. A 1-0 lead for West Ham. Klopp looking bemused.

48′ GOAL! WEST HAM 1-1 LIVERPOOL (ROBERTSON) Brilliant move from Klopp’s men as Robertson reacts quickly from the Diaz pass to pop the finish into the net. Areola tipped it onto the post before it nestled in the net. Suddenly Liverpool fans in full voice.

65′ GOAL! WEST HAM UNITED 1-2 LIVERPOOL (AREOLA) Liverpool have turned this match right on its head. West Ham fail to deal with the corner as Gakpo drives the ball across goal. Hits Ogbonna, comes off Soucek on the line and ends up in the net off Areola. Can’t say it wasn’t coming.

77′ GOAL! (ANTONIO) WEST HAM 2-2 LIVERPOOL Bowen with the cross for Michail Antonio to power a header beyond Alisson and into the net. Alisson making a great stop from Emerson seconds earlier, but no chance with that finish. It is 2-2. Phew! What a finish is coming up.

79′ SALAH AND KLOPP EXCHANGE WORDS Both men caught up in the heat of the moment on the touchline. Doesn’t help when your team has just conceded a late equaliser. Pressure of elite football.