Premier League leaders Liverpool handed a boost to their title rivals as an uncharacteristic defensive error cost them victory at West Ham.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are now three points clear of second-placed Manchester City, but the nine-point advantage they held on 29 December has now been cut to only three following two successive draws and a return to form for Pep Guardiola’s side. City defeated Arsenal on Sunday and could reclaim top spot for the first time since 5 December if they win at Everton on Wednesday. Tottenham are also in the title hunt following three successive league wins – they have 57 points, five behind the Reds. There are also increasing injury concerns for Liverpool, with Dejan Lovren, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum joining Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the sidelines. “Last night we trained and after we had to change three positions,” said Klopp. “It’s just a fact, it’s not an excuse. The preparation for the game was far from being perfect and we still got a point.”
It started well for Liverpool at London Stadium when Sadio Mane fired past Lukasz Fabianski in the 22nd minute, although James Milner was in an offside position in the build-up. The Hammers showed enough threat in attack to suggest it would not be one-way traffic though, and six minutes later they got a deserved equaliser when Liverpool’s defence failed to read Felipe Anderson’s disguised free-kick that picked out Michail Antonio’s run into the area. The English winger equalised with a low angled drive that went in off the post. Liverpool did not put the West Ham defence under severe pressure, with two efforts from Mohamed Salah and a header from Mane comfortably dealt with by Fabianski before Divock Origi shot straight at the keeper when he had a clear sight of goal right at the end.Photo Credit: Getty
