Reds leave it late but that matters not a Jot to Klopp
Sub sinks Hammers for the comeback kings
LIVERPOOL....... 2 WEST HAM........ 1 Comeback kings Liverpool came from behind again to return to the top of the Premier League.
The champions conceded the opening goal for a third straight home match.
But they dug deep to win again – only the second team to do that in the Premier era after Blackburn Rovers in 2009.
Forward Diogo Jota came off the bench to hit the clincher, after earlier having an effort ruled out by VAR.
The Anfield new boy said: “The goal means a lot. Seeing the game on the bench, I’m always thinking about what I can do to change things.
“The most important thing was the win, we just want to keep winning games. With so many games you have to keep moving. Fortunately in the end I got the space to do it.
“I played two games in the starting XI before this one.
“The manager chooses the side, we need to do our job.”
On his disallowed goal, ruled out for a Sadio Mane foul on Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski, he said: “I didn’t see anything suspicious but that’s football now.”
David Moyes’ side took a 10th- minute lead when Pablo Fornals drove home after a poor headed clearance from defender Joe Gomez.
Liverpool drew level just before the break when Mohamed Salah went down under a clumsy challenge from Arthur Masuaku.
The Egyptian stepped up to net the spot-kick but Hammers boss Moyes raged: “I can’t believe we’re allowing those sorts of penalties to be awarded.
“Our player stops and throws his arms up because he’s so disappointed about the dive.
I’m disappointed they didn’t turn the decision around.”
Ex-Wolves forward Jota got the winner five minutes from time after a pass from fellow sub Xherdan Shaqiri.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: “The world is in a difficult place and we are happy to be allowed to play football.
“So we have to try everything to win games. It’s not about shining, or flying, or whatever, it’s about hard work. That was absolutely necessary against this opponent. It’s not about the simple stuff because they are too good for that – you need to be cheeky, tricky as well, and we were.
“We had a lot of good football, not 500 chances or whatever but enough. It’s a real challenge for the concentration levels.
“I don’t want to see us in a moment be brilliant because it’s not possible. I want to see us dig in and we did that – I’m so, so happy.”
Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell said: “We’re a little bit disappointed to leave here with nothing.
“We were deal ing with pressure at times but could have taken our chances better.”