Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title are in tatters following their 2-2 draw with West Ham, with the Reds now winning just one of their last five league games.
Following their 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, the Reds needed a win if they were to realistically keep themselves in the race with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table.
But a slow first half saw them fall behind as Jarrod Bowen (43′) headed the ball over for West Ham from a quick corner kick. But Liverpool equalized three minutes after the end of the first half when Andy Robertson scored (48).
Liverpool performed much better in the second half and deservedly took the lead when Cody Jacobo’s shot deflected off Alphonse Areola (65).
But another unmarked header from Michail Antonio (77′) saw West Ham equalize to leave Liverpool two points behind Arsenal and one behind Manchester City, with both teams still to go this weekend. The Hammers move one point behind seventh-placed Newcastle, with the Magpies having two more games to play.
Liverpool’s frustrations were perhaps evident in the aftermath of West Ham’s equalizer too, as substitute Mohamed Salah – who was left out of the starting line-up – appeared to argue with manager Jurgen Klopp upon his introduction.
While the manager did not explain the reason TNT Sports After the match: “We already talked in the locker room. For me, it’s over.”
When also asked in his press conference if Salah was also okay with the dressing room conversation, Klopp replied: “That’s my impression, yes.”
Salah later walked through the mixed zone after the match, declining interview requests, and told reporters: “If you speak today, there will be fires.”
How Liverpool lost more ground in the race for the English Premier League title
Liverpool had the best chances in the first 30 minutes, during which a penalty was also disallowed. Referee Anthony Taylor had initially pointed to a penalty kick amid a melee of potential fouls, but an offside flag was raised against Luis Diaz in the build-up. VAR reviewed the decision and confirmed it was correct.
Shortly after, Diaz fired a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. At the other end, Alisson made a brilliant save from Bowen’s shot, resulting in an important free kick for West Ham.
As Liverpool continued to set themselves up defensively, the Hammers took a quick, short corner kick. The ball into the box found an unmarked Bowen in the middle and he headed home.
Minutes after the end of the first half, Liverpool equalized. Diaz found Robertson in the middle of the penalty area, where the defender’s shot bounced off Areola’s weak hand across the post.
Liverpool continued to press for a second goal, scoring the lead in the 65th minute. It was a pinball from three West Ham players from a Jacobo shot, and the final touch was from an unfortunate Areola.
Although Liverpool improved and pressed for a third goal, it was West Ham that struck the next blow with an equaliser. It was a thrilling cross that an unmarked Antonio rose to meet, past Alisson – who had made a brilliant diving save just seconds earlier.
In the immediate aftermath of the goal, the Reds made a triple substitution, and there appeared to be a confrontation between Klopp and Salah, with fingers being pointed and Salah particularly mobile. He also had to be sent off by fellow substitute Darwin Nunez.
The Reds continued to push for the win, with Emerson twice needing to clear the ball off the line and Harvey Elliott hitting the crossbar. But the draw ultimately leaves their Premier League title hopes quickly fading.
Klopp: This has been the story of the past four weeks
Liverpool president yourgen club to TNT Sports“Obviously I’m very disappointed. I think everyone can see that only one team wins the game, and that’s us with the chances we created, the possession we had, and all the things we did. It was a tough game at home.” The end of four games in a 10-day period, but I thought the players did really well.
“We conceded from nothing and we need more chances and some kind of conflicting goals at the end to score two goals. When we are 2-1 up we can control things, and still, as I said, in many moments we play really well.” But the final situation we didn’t deal with has been the story of the past four weeks.
If you are unlucky to have some attackers out of line: “That’s the thing. You see the games. We’re together and we’re going through it together, that’s it. The boys want it, they fought hard, they gave absolutely everything. For some of them it was very difficult today for sure. And yeah that’s it.”
In response in the second half: “Very happy. It was very good and it was what we needed, the early goal obviously helped us. We always find chances, as you can see in the first half we had a lot.
“What I don’t understand is that with every opportunity we miss, everyone is out there throwing weapons, but opportunity is as close as you can get to reaching the goal, so we have to be more positive there. Accept that such things happen and then do it again, and again, And again.
We played well but we didn’t finish things and now we have to admit that and move on.”
Moyes: We did a great job to keep going
West Ham president David Moyes to TNT Sports: “I think we did that [bounce back well from last week]. I was hoping for more than one point, we tied a lot and today another point. It’s a good point, and to be 2-1 down and taking hits, we did a great job to keep going.
“The first goal was important for us. Big credit to the players for the character they showed coming back from there.
“They were really good goals. I enjoyed them. Jarrod [Bowen] It is in scoring form. Congratulations to him for 20 goals in all competitions. I think it’s been a long time since anyone has done that at West Ham. He’s a great player. “I hope it continues.”
On Bowen matching Paolo Di Canio with 16 goals in one season in the English Premier League: “This is where I want him to score 20 goals, I would like it to be 20 goals in the Premier League. I have something to strive for in the last three games.”
On Antonio’s screen: “He’s gotten fitter in the last three or four months. We missed him around November, he had an injury with Jamaica, but he came back and led the line well and scored some goals for us, which is why he missed his game.” a little.”
Opta statistics – Bowen equals Di Canio’s number
- Jarrod Bowen’s opener (his 16th league goal of the 2023-24 season) saw him joint-top of the top scorers in a single Premier League season with West Ham, equaling Paolo Di Canio’s record of 16 goals set in 1999-00.
- Liverpool have lost 1-0 in 16 different Premier League matches this season. In fact, it is the most number of matches they have conceded for the first time in a single league season under Jurgen Klopp (also 16 times in the 2022-23 season).
- Only Sheffield United (6) have scored more own goals than West Ham (4) in the Premier League this season, while no team has benefited from more goals in the competition this season than Liverpool (5).
What then?
West Ham Travel to London rivals Chelsea On Sunday, May 5, the match kicks off at 2:00 p.m., while… Liverpool She is next in action on the same day against Tottenham At Anfield, he continued live Sky SportsThe start is at 4:30 pm.
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