After a 2-2 draw at West Ham, Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League title have been severely damaged; they have now won only one of their previous five league games.
The Reds needed to win in order to realistically stay in the battle with Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the league following their 2-0 loss to Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
However, they fell behind in the first half as Jarrod Bowen (43), who scored for West Ham after a short corner, knocked the ball home. But three minutes after the interval, Andy Robertson (48) headed home to draw Liverpool even.
Liverpool played much better in the second half, and they took the lead rightfully when Cody Gakpo’s shot deflected off Alphonse Areola (65).
However, West Ham equalised by another unguarded header from Michail Antonio (77), putting Liverpool one point behind Man City and two behind Arsenal with two games remaining this weekend. With two games remaining, Newcastle is now in seventh place, one point ahead of the Hammers.
Following West Ham’s equaliser, Liverpool’s displeasure were evident as well, as substitute Mohamed Salah—who was left off the starting lineup—seemed to quarrel with manager Jurgen Klopp upon entering the game.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to TNT Sports: “Very disappointed, obviously. I think everyone can see that only one team wins the game, and that is us with the chances we created, with the possession we had, with all the things we did. It was a tough one at the end of a four games in 10 days period, but I think the players did really well.
“We just conceded out of nothing and need a few more chances and kind of scrappy goals in the end to score twice. When we are 2-1 up we could control it, and still as I said in a lot of moments playing really well but the final situation we didn’t take. That has been the story of the last four weeks.”
On if it is unlucky for a few attackers to be out of form: “It is what it is. You see the games. We are together and we go through that together, that is all. The boys want it, they fought hard, gave absolutely everything. For some of them it was definitely too hard today, and yes that’s it.”
On the second-half response: “Very pleased. It was very good and it was what we needed, the early goal helped obviously. We find chances always, you see in the first half we have a lot.
“What I don’t understand is that with each chance we miss everyone is there throwing arms, but a chance is the closest you can get to a goal so we have to be more positive there. Accept these kind of things happen and then do it again, and again and again.
“We played well but didn’t finish the situations off and now we have to acknowledge and carry on.”
West Ham boss David Moyes to TNT Sports: “I think we did [bounce back well from last week]. I would have liked more than a point, we’ve drawn a lot and today is another. It is a good point and to be 2-1 down and take a battering, we did great to keep going.
“The first goal was important for us. Great credit to the lads for the character they showed to come back from there.
“They were really good goals. I enjoyed them. Jarrod [Bowen] is in goalscoring form. Congratulations to him on 20 goals in all competitions. I think it is a long time since someone has done that at West Ham. He is a fantastic player. I hope he keeps going.”
On Bowen equalling Paolo Di Canio’s 16 goals in a Premier League season: “That is where I’d like the 20 goals, I’d like them to be 20 Premier League goals. I’ve got something for him to chase in the last three games.”
On Antonio’s display: “He’s got fitter in the last three or four months. We missed him around November time, he got an injury with Jamaica, but he’s come back, led the line well and got a few goals for us, which was missing from his game a little.”
On Sunday, May 5, West Ham will play their rivals in London, Chelsea, while Liverpool will play Tottenham at Anfield the same day.
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