JUST A SINGLE POINT FOR NERVY LIVERPOOL
REDS’ LEAD NOW STANDS AT THREE POINTS, BOOSTING CHASING CITY AND SPURS
Liverpool dropped more points in their pursuit of the Premier League title as they struggled to a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
Playing to restore their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, the league leaders performed like a team feeling the weight of expectation they failed to build on a controversial opening goal that should have been disallowed.
Sadio Mane’s third goal in three games was allowed to stand despite being created by the offside James Milner, but West Ham swiftly fought back to avoid a fourth successive defeat through Michail Antonio’s equaliser.
At the full-time whistle only three points separated City, who have the superior goal difference, and Liverpool, who have now dropped seven points out of 15 since the turn of the year.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp admitted his team can do better and felt their goal did not help his team in the second half.
The German said: “I think it’s a deserved draw. We were not at our best.
“We had good moments, scored a goal that was offside but I think the ref (Kevin Friend) knew at half-time and you saw there were a lot of strange situations - not decisive, just rhythm breakers ... 50-50s, 60-40s, free-kick for the other team.
“If I make a big mistake in the first half, as a human being I don’t want to open the gap more.”
Klopp revealed he had spoken to Friend, adding: “I was really calm ... it’s nothing serious.”
He continued: “We had to change three positions, we trained a lot but we didn’t get taller with the changes.
“They are really strong. The goal they scored - we knew about the routine but they’re smart, really good.”
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk added: “They (West Ham) were decent, they defended very well. But today was disappointing.
“We could have been a lot better I think but it is what it is. The referee was a bit easy at times but we need to do better as well.”
Joel Matip partnered Van Dijk in central defence but the Reds have had injury issues in that department this season and the Dutchman continued: “I think all players who’ve come in have enough quality to do the job - but when you have a back four that doesn’t change that’s maybe a little bit easier.
“We take it game by game, we’re still top of the league. We’re still in the race ... so we need to be our best for the rest of the season.”
Hammers midfielder Mark Noble said: “January was a bad month, after beating Arsenal, going out of the (FA) Cup and losing two games.
“So to perform as we did after three defeats, not just to get the point, but the way we played ... I thought we deserved to win tonight.
“Liverpool are a fantastic team but I thought we defended fantastically well.
“They’ve got better players all over the park, so you have to defend well and keep your shape.
“But we scared them and you’ve got to do against the top teams. I’m just gutted we didn’t come away with three points.
“Their goal was about a metre offside.”