West Ham 2 Liverpool 2: Struggling Reds throw away lead to drop more points with Premier League title hopes all but over

LIVERPOOL let their faint hopes of the title fade to almost nothing with a demoralising draw.

The collapse of their season was summed up by Mo Salah rowing with Jurgen Klopp on the touchline before being introduced as a late substitute.

Getty

Liverpool’s title hopes appear to be over after a 2-2 draw with West Ham[/caption]

PA

Michail Antonio grabbed a point for the Hammers[/caption]

Klopp’s side came from behind yet again to lead 2-1 heading into the closing stages at the London Stadium.

But Michail Antonio headed an equaliser that left the visitors two points adrift of leaders Arsenal, having played a game more, after a disastrous week.

All the elements of Liverpool’s disappointing end to Klopp’s farewell campaign were present. 

They found themselves in arrears for the 18th time in 35 league games when Jarrod Bowen headed West Ham into the lead after a set-piece ahead just before half-time.

Andy Robertson drew them level soon after half-time, and they went ahead through an Alphonse Areola own goal.

But then they missed good chances to take the game away from the Hammers.

And as nerves started to take hold at the back, Bowen’s excellent cross found Antonio.

It said a lot about the low-key first half that for much of it, the closest it came to a goal was shots from right-backs.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Apart from Lucas Paqueta’s ugly early foul on Alexis Mac Allister, for which he was not even booked, neither side looked too bothered.

Liverpool thought they had a penalty in the 27th minute when Angelo Ogbonna fouled Cody Gakpo but Luis Diaz had been offside in the build-up.

Shortly afterwards Trent Alexander-Arnold found himself furthest forward and West Ham goalkeeper Areola fisted the shot away, his first significant save of the day.

Then at the other end, Vladimir Coufal’s rasper was caught by Alisson.

Diaz was the only Liverpool showing consistent purpose and belief, and he saw a 40th-minute shot come back off Areola’s near post.

But then his team switched off at the other end.

Alisson made a fine save from Bowen’s deflected shot to concede a corner. 

The Liverpool defence failed to notice West Ham taking it quickly, Mohammed Kudus crossed and Bowen got enough on his header to beat Alisson.

The visitors came out early for the second half and quickly equalised.

Diaz fed Robertson, whose tame-looking shot was not kept out by Areola’s weak right hand.

Liverpool could have been in front soon afterwards, but Ryan Gravenberch attempted a silly finish from Gakpo’s cross. 

The chances kept coming. Ogbonna blocked Gakpo’s shot, Areola saved from Alexander-Arnold.

Then the Hammers goalkeeper got an unnecessary touch on a Gravenberch effort and the visitors scored from the resulting corner.

Gravenberch’s shot found its way into the net via deflections off Ogbonna, Soucek and finally Areola.

Getty

Jarrod Bowen gave the hosts a half-time lead[/caption]

Reuters

Andy Robertson brought the Reds level just after the break[/caption]

EPA

Robertson’s strike should have been kept out[/caption]

Reuters

Alphonse Areola was credited with the own goal[/caption]

Reuters

Antonio rose high with no challenge around him[/caption]

The Frenchman denied Diaz twice, either side of Mac Allister failing to beat him with a close-range header, keeping the score at 2-1.

But then came signs of nerves at the back from Liverpool and Alisson had to push away a fierce shot from Emerson.

And moments later Bowen crossed superbly for Antonio to equalise.

Klopp made a triple change, introducing Salah and Darwin Nunez in search of another late winner – but not before Nunez had to act as peacemaker between his gesticulating team-mate and the manager.

Coufal denied Nunez a tap-in from a Salah cross in the 84th minute and there were other nervous moments for the Hammers, especially when Salah broke and Harvey Elliott hit the bar.

But there was to be no late salvation for Liverpool this time and there will be no farewell title for Klopp.

Here’s how the action unfolded at the London Stadium…