Klopp hits back at Noble’s ‘scared’ claim

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hit back at West Ham United skipper Mark Noble after the midfielder said his side had scared the Premier League leaders in a 1-1 draw on Monday.

Klopp’s side missed the chance to stretch their lead over Manchester City at the top to five points as Michail Antonio cancelled out Sadio Mane’s 22nd-minute opener at the London Stadium.

Liverpool were off the pace and West Ham, who had conceded 16 goals in their last four league games against Klopp’s side, would not have been flattered had they won.

“We scared them, I’m just gutted we didn’t come away with the three points,” Noble, who wasted 12th-placed West Ham’s best chance after the break, said.

Told of Noble’s comments in his post-match media conference, Klopp said: “I don’t know him very well, but I don’t know why he speaks of us like that.

“They didn’t scare us, they defended well. It was a normal away game and other away games have been worse.

“They have quality and I don’t know why they don’t have more results.”

Having drawn at home to Leicester City last week, when they also took the lead, Liverpool have dropped four points in two games which has allowed closest challengers Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur to close the gap.

Should City beat Everton on Wednesday they will knock Liverpool off the top for the first time since early December.

Klopp played down talk of Liverpool feeling the pressure as they try to win their first league title since 1989-1990.

“We have to fight, it is not about pressure, it’s about enjoying the situation,” he said.

“We have 62 points, have lost one game in the league season which is very positive.”

There was clearly no love lost between Klopp and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini with some strong words seemingly exchanged about Liverpool’s goal, after James Milner appeared to be offside in the build-up.