Liverpool rue missed chances in draw
Liverpool’s fading Premier League title hopes were dealt a near-fatal blow on Saturday as West Ham rescued a draw against Jurgen Klopp’s men while Sheffield United dropped through the relegation trap door.
On a dramatic day in the top-flight, Aston Villa’s top four challenge was dented by a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, whose furious manager Mauricio Pochettino claimed VAR has “damaged the Premier League” after his side had a late goal controversially disallowed.
Manchester United’s push for Europe was held up by Burnley in a 1-1 stalemate and Everton secured their topflight status with a 1-0 win at home to Brentford.
Klopp’s glittering reign at Anfield appears to be ending on a flat note after they dropped points for the fourth time in five league games at the London Stadium. Liverpool would have moved level on points with leaders Arsenal with a victory at West Ham, at least temporarily, but they failed to make the most of their chances.
The Gunners are on 77 points, two clear of Liverpool with a game in hand, while defending champions Manchester City have 76 points with two games in hand on the Reds.
Jarrod Bowen put West Ham ahead shortly before halftime but Liverpool looked a different side in the second period, equalising through Andy Robertson before an own goal from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
But the home side levelled in the 77th minute when Bowen wriggled free down the right and lifted a cross towards Michail Antonio, who headed home to make it 2-2.
Klopp attempted to play down a touchline spat with Mohamed Salah, who was left out of the starting line-up, but the Egypt forward fanned the flames.
“There’s going to be a fire today if I speak,” he told reporters. Pep Guardiola’s City, who play relegationthreatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday, are hot favourites to secure an unprecedented fourth straight English top-flight title while Arsenal face a tough away day at Tottenham. Newcastle’s 5-1 win against Sheffield United strengthened their push for European football next season but sent Chris Wilder’s team down to the Championship.