West Ham United 1-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s men miss the chance to extend their lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table to five points

West Ham United 1-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s men miss the chance to extend their lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table to five points
Liverpool dropped more points in their pursuit of the 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 as they failed to build on a controversial opening goal that should have been disallowed.5

Michail Antonio levels the scoring for the hosts

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.Despite their poor run of form, the hosts first threatened in only the third minute when Javier Hernandez latched on to a pass from Mark Noble before bending a low shot narrowly wide of the right post.Aaron Cresswell, released by Liverpool as a teenager, went similarly close with an effort from the edge of the area after a poor clearance from Milner before Hernandez tested the diving Alisson Becker with a well-struck shot from midfield.Liverpool’s only response of note had come when Roberto Firmino forced Lukasz Fabianski into no more than a routine save, but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute.5

Sadio Mane opens the scoring at the London Stadium

When Adam Lallana collected possession on the right and fed Milner in front of the assistant referee, the midfielder was clearly offside, but play was allowed to continue and he capitalised by sending a low cross to Mane, who from in front of goal turned and finished unchallenged past Fabianski.Yet if Manuel Pellegrini’s team were frustrated, it ultimately did not show in their play. They required only six minutes to draw level.Liverpool’s makeshift back four – Joel Matip again started in central defence, with Milner at right-back – switched off as Felipe Anderson played a free-kick to Antonio, who from close range took advantage of both time and space to calmly shoot inside the far left post, beyond Alisson’s reach.By half-time they should have led. From another free-kick, the classy Anderson curled a brilliant cross behind the visitors’ defence that Declan Rice ran on to before somehow managing to miss the target with a header from directly in front of goal. That Liverpool, uncharacteristically during their time under Jurgen Klopp, were so sluggish will have concerned their manager, but a feature of this season’s title challenge has been greater strength in depth and Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi were introduced to shake up the Reds.But it was West Ham, whose experienced manager Pellegrini denied Liverpool the title in 2014 when City manager, who continued to threaten as Robert Snodgrass kept the ball in play and Anderson touched it into the path of Noble, who struck narrowly over from 12 yards.Liverpool grew increasingly desperate, but they still might have snatched victory right at the death.Origi appeared offside when the ball fell to him in the area, but play was allowed to go on only for the striker, one on one with Fabianski, to shoot tamely straight at the keeper.

STAR MAN – Felipe Anderson

5

Anderson was a great outlet for the Hammers on the left

Although he can sometimes be accused of going missing in games, Felipe Anderson proved yet again he has the capacity to be West Ham’s talisman in the place of Marko Arnautovic.With the Austria international failing a late fitness test, Anderson was expected to be the Hammers’ main out ball when the pressure became too much.Positioned on the left hand side, Anderson carried the ball exceptionally well and was willing to cut inside and take a foul if a pass was not on.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

5

Both teams were left unimpressed with the officials

After one linesman failed to spot James Milner in an offside position in the first half, the other linesman then failed to see Origi in an offside position as he fluffed the last kick of the game.Had the ball gone in, not only would West Ham have felt completely aggrieved, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur would have been particularly annoyed.At this stage in the season, the difference between three and five points at the top is crucial and those two points may well be pivotal in this tight title race.

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

5

Here’s how the table looks after Monday night’s draw

NEXT THREE PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

West Ham United – Crystal Palace (A), Fulham (H), Manchester City (A)Liverpool – Bournemouth (H), Manchester United (A), Watford (H)

---

Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh joined talkSPORT after the shocking scenes of racism and violence which marred their shock FA Cup win over Everton are not welcome' at the club and
~ Millwall have closed a section of The Den after racism and

---

'He's a role model in so many different things': Jurgen Klopp expresses admiration for Mohamed Salah after Liverpool star is named one of TIME Magazine's most influential people Iraq parliament to

---

That is the view of Unai Emery, who brought the attacking midfielder on loan to Arsenal from Barcelona in January. So far Suarez has made four substitute appearances for the Gunners totalling just 66 minutes, with the latest coming on Sunday when he came off the bench during the 2-0 win against Southampton.
Arsenal flop Denis Suarez ready to start against Newcastle

---

The newly-formed West Ham United Official Supporters' Board held its first meeting at London Stadium on Thursday 29 November. A new and enhanced forum which will ensure the best possible representation for our wide and diverse fanbase, the Official Supporters' Board sees 18 representatives, picked by an independent selection process, come together to influence what happens at the Club.

---

Manchester United want Harry Maguire but have been put off by Leicester's asking price of £80million. The England defender is also a target for Manchester City, as both teams look to bolster their defence ahead of next season.
Manchester United transfer news: Harry Maguire wanted at Old

---

Report Ad
Over 70% New & Buy It Now; THIS is the new eBay. Find Tottenham Vs Liverpool now!

---

Steve Nicol, Craig Burley and Alejandro Moreno of ESPN FC react to Liverpool's comeback vs. Barcelona to reach the UEFA Champions League final after losing 3-0 in the first leg at Camp Nou, thanks
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona - Champions League: Anfield stages

---

'Manchester United CAN'T drop David de Gea', insists Ray Parlour on talkSPORT Ray Parlour insists David de Gea is one of the world's best goalkeepers and remains undroppable for Manchester United, despite his recent mistakes. The Spanish glovesman was guilty of another howler.. talkSPORT - Published on April 29, 2019
Worried about the world economy This week we find out just

---

Explore Sarah Heaven's board "Fleur East", followed by 213 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about Fleur east, Hair down hairstyles and Hair toupee.
I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Betting Tips, Odds

---

Jose Mourinho takes swipe at Manchester United's 'puppet' boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Portuguese has taken a thinly-veiled dig at his Old Trafford successor who he says has gone from 'nice

---

Charlie Austin was substituted in the 68th minute of the defeat to Manchester City. Southampton striker Charlie Austin has been charged by the Football Association over an 'abusive or insulting
Charlie Austin: Southampton striker charged for making

---

doomed Johnson claims players knew they were doomed from the start of the season and it made him 'hate football' Glen Johnson has made shocking revelations about how the players at Stoke City knew they were going to be relegated from the Premier League last season.
Stoke City: Glen Johnson makes shocking revelations about

---

Raheem Sterling sent an inspiring letter to a young fan who'd been racially abused. An image of Sterling's letter went viral during Manchester City's 9-0 hammering of Burton in the Carabao Cup
EPL News: Raheem Sterling letter to fan, racial abuse, racism

---

After a record smashing regular season the Warriors could not cap off the campaign with a second successive title, unable to deliver the knockout punch after going up 3-1 in the best-of-season series. "Just an incredible run that obviously didn't end the way we wanted it to," said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

---

Liverpool vs Barcelona: Confirmed teams for Champions League

---