The Bowen gets tough
JARROD’S DOUBLE TROUBLE TO LEAVE KLOPP NEEDING A MIRACLE
JARROD BOWEN, a longtime favourite of Jurgen Klopp, put the knife into the Liverpool manager’s already- faint title dream.
The England ace scored West Ham’s opener and created Michail Antonio’s equaliser to all but kill the visitors’ chances of finishing Klopp’s era as champions. In between, the Reds briefly flickered, their ashes glowing amid an early second-half fightback, but this sixth winless outing in 10 leaves them stuck in third place. The good news for incoming Dutch manager Arne Slot is that he is definitely not assuming the reins of an all-conquering side.
Imagine if Klopp (left) had waved goodbye with FOUR trophies instead of only the Carabao Cup.
The German made his feelings known about the midweek Everton reverse by making five changes.
Most notably, out went goal-shy Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez for Dutchmen Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. It was almost as if Klopp had let Slot pick the side.
Opposite number David Moyes could do no such thing and it was eerily quiet until Bowen intercepted Harvey Elliott’s wayward pass and tested Alisson.
That sparked a decent Liverpool response. Gakpo and Gravenberch appear to have a natural understanding and were a danger, alongside Luis Diaz.
And when Gakpo was sent tumbling by Angelo Ogbonna after 29 minutes, Anthony Taylor initially pointed to the spot only for Stockley Park to rule Diaz offside in the approach.
Gapko was a livewire, no doubt hoping to impress his future coach. So he was fuming for wasting a clear opening before Diaz went even closer, striking the woodwork.
After those escapes for the hosts, Liverpool had a couple of their own – and then went behind.
All three came from the brilliant Bowen. Two deflected shots were well saved but Alisson could do nothing about his third attempt on the stroke of half-time.
Again Bowen’s header clipped a Reds defender en route, this time leaving the keeper wrong-footed.
Klopp must have delivered a rocket as his troops flew out of the blocks in the second half and quickly levelled.
Diaz picked out Andy Robertson
and the defender fired a beauty that Hammers stopper Alphonse Areola parried in off the post.
Suddnly it was as if the Liverpol of a couple of months ago had reappeared. Gakpo went close and Trent Alexander-arnold stung Areola’s hands.
The Egland man’s 65th-minute cornered to the Merseysiders’ second. It fell invitingly to Gakpo and his off-target shot finally crossed he line via Areola.
The Hammers were rocked but not broken and Bowen’s pinpoint cross 13 minutes from time allowed Antonio to hammer a final nail in the Reds champion coffin.