West Ham 2-2 Liverpool: Title hopes fade further for Klopp's Reds

Liverpool were pegged back by West Ham in a 2-2 draw at London Stadium on Saturday which sees Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of winning the title take another huge hit.

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Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham the lead right before half time but Liverpool came roaring back as Andy Robertson equalized and an own goal from Alphonse Areola put Liverpool ahead.

But a late header from Michail Antonio grabbed a point for West Ham as there were two big moments of controversy. Klopp and Mohamed Salah had a heated exchange on the sidelines as the latter waited to come on as a sub, then all hell broke loose.

West Ham goalkeeper Areola rolled the ball out in the box, thinking a free kick had been given, then Cody Gakpo was there to try and tap the ball into an empty net but referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle to stop the game just as Gakpo was about to score. If Gakpo would have put the ball in the net, then surely the goal would have stood and Liverpool could have won it 3-2 late on.

With the draw West Ham move on to 49 points, while Liverpool are on 75 points and lost more ground in the title race.

Liverpool limping towards Klopp’s farewell tells us he was right

Jurgen Klopp surprised everyone back in January when he called time on his Liverpool career at the end of the season. When he announced it Liverpool were going for four trophies, despite a huge injury crisis, and everything seemed to be heading in the right direction. But Klopp is smarter than most and the way Liverpool have ended this season proves his decision was the correct one. For so long he’s wrung every ounce of talent and passion out of his Liverpool squads but it looks like he no longer has the energy to do it and this squad is clearly at a transitional point. Klopp’s heated exchange at West Ham with star man Salah will be brushed under the carpet but it’s clear there is tension there, and has been that way for some time. Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Alisson have all had tough moments this season, so has Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Liverpool’s other forwards have failed to step up when Salah has struggled with form and injuries. It all adds up to Klopp making the right call at the right time. Did he hope his side could hang on and win the title, and a couple of other trophies, to ride off into the sunset? Of course he did. But in truth he knew they were overachieving this season and nobody expected them to win the title. With this new-look squad, top four is a huge achievement and Klopp leaves Liverpool in a much better place than when he arrived. As a manager, that is all you hope to do. And win a few trophies and create a few lasting memories along the way. Klopp has done that and then some and his legacy will remain intact at Liverpool forever. When all is said and done, nobody will remember Liverpool’s title race in Klopp’s final season ended with a whimper.

West Ham vs Liverpool player ratings

Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Luis Diaz has a brilliant outing. He did everything other than score. Andy Robertson was excellent at left back, while his battle with Bowen was sensational as West Ham’s talisman scored and grabbed an assist.

What’s next?

West Ham head to bitter rivals Chelsea on Sunday, May 5, while Liverpool host Tottenham on the same day.

How to watch West Ham vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 7:30am ET Saturday (April 27)TV Channel: USA NetworkOnline: Watch live online via NBC.com

West Ham vs Liverpool live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright

West Ham vs Liverpool final score: 2-2

Bowen 43', Antonio 77'; Robertson 48', Areola OG 65'

Full time: West Ham 2-2 Liverpool

That is probably it for Liverpool’s title dream. Jurgen Klopp does not look happy. He knows that is it. Three more games for Klopp as Liverpool boss and they are now huge outsiders for the title. They just made too many defensive mistakes at West Ham.

Elliott hits the crossbar

Fine work from Salah on the break and Elliott’s shot hits the crossbar and goes over. Liverpool have had some big chances in the last few minutes as Coufal made a great last-ditch block. Salah is causing chaos.

Areola involved in a strange situation

It didn’t look like a free kick was given for a foul on Areola and he rolled the ball out into the penalty box. Gakpo then arrived to try and smash the ball home but referee Anthony Taylor got involved and stopped play. Areola seemed to think it was a free kick. Very similar to the incident between Arsenal and Bayern Munich recently.

Klopp and Salah going at it on the sidelines

There was a very intriguing situation there as Salah waited to come on to the pitch as a sub. Klopp appeared to save something to him and Salah didn’t react well as they watched on as West Ham made it 2-2 against Liverpool. I’m sure we will hear more about this afterwards. Tension is high.

Antonio heads homes - West Ham 2-2 Liverpool (77th minute)

That all came from Alisson not dealing with a simple cross, West Ham kept the pressure alive and Bowen clips in a lovely cross for Antonio to head home. Salah, Gomez and Nunez come on for Liverpool. Can they rescue the situation?

What a save from Alisson

Alisson should catch the ball when it is looped into the box but he makes a mess of it. West Ham keep the attacking alive and Emerson smashes a shot on goal which Alisson saves brilliantly

Big chances continue to arrive for Liverpool

Diaz is denied after being set free, then Mac Allister has a header from seven yards out and he should score. Brilliant ball from Alexander-Arnold over the top. Liverpool are pushing hard for the third. Areola then denies Diaz who smashes a shot on goal after again cutting inside from the left.

Liverpool are ahead! - Own goal - West Ham 1-2 Liverpool (65th minute)

Liverpool are deservedly ahead. After Gravenberch’s shot is needlessly tipped wide by Areola, a corner is swung in and finds Gakpo. His shot deflects off Ogbonna and Soucek and then hits Areola on the back and goes in. Liverpool, as it stands, are level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal...

Gakpo’s shot blocked by Ogbonna

Brilliant from Diaz again and he sets up Gakpo who drills a shot on goal but Ogbonna comes in with a big block. Wave after wave of Liverpool attack.

Gravenberch should score, then Alexander-Arnold’s shot deflects wide

Wow. Liverpool are absolutely flying. A cross into the box finds Gravenberch unmarked and he tries a clever flick towards goal but misses it. He should score. Moments later Alexander-Arnold has a shot which deflects wide.

Robertson finishes to give Liverpool a perfect start to the second half - West Ham 1-1 Liverpool (48th minute)

That is more like it. Liverpool have come flying out of the traps and Diaz works some space in the box to find Andy Robertson and he does superbly to control and get a shot on goal which Areola pushes onto the post and the ball goes in.

Half time: West Ham 1-0 Liverpool

Oh dear, Liverpool. The Hammers struck just before half time, against the run of play, and that sums up what is happening with Liverpool right now. Jurgen Klopp’s side were sluggish but got going and hit the post through Luis Diaz but West Ham took their chance when it arrived as Liverpool were sloppy defensively from a set piece. Again. Liverpool have given the ball away very cheaply out of defense.

Alisson with a wonderful stop to deny Bowen... who then heads home from a corner - West Ham 1-0 Liverpool (43rd minute)

West Ham lead! Bowen heads home from a quickly taken corner moments after he had been denied by Alisson. Liverpool so sloppy in possession in defense and caused their own problems as Bowen’s deflected shot was pushed around the post by Alisson. Liverpool then switched off with the short corner and they’ve been caught out from a set piece once again as Bowen beats Gakpo to head home. After having so much of the ball, Liverpool are their own worst enemies.

Diaz hits the post

Luis Diaz, who has been excellent in this first half, cuts inside from the left and his low effort strikes the post and comes out. Liverpool are getting closer to the opener.

Coufal’s deflected effort saved

The ball drops to Vladimir Coufal on the edge of the box and his drilled shot takes a deflection and Alisson saves well. The game is starting to open up a little now.

What a wild sequence

A ball is played over to Diaz, who plays it to Gakpo inside the six yard box and he goes down in the penalty box under a heavy challenge. Diaz then has a shot which hits Ogbonna on the arm. Liverpool want a penalty kick but the offside flag is up. VAR checks the offside and Diaz was off. Better play from Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold curls a free kick over

A dangerous free kick on the edge of the box sees Alexander-Arnold step up but he curls his effort over the wall and over the bar. Maybe that was a bit too close for TAA to work his magic?

Bowen has a shot on target

West Ham are waking up. Poor giveaway from Liverpool and Bowen is on to it. He curls his shot on target, but straight at Alisson. The home fans are buoyed by that moment. Sloppy from Liverpool.

Diaz goes down in the box, then Elliott hits the side-netting

VAR has a look at an incident involving Luis Diaz as the Colombian forward goes down in the box. It looked like he was getting away from his marker but he goes down. After a quick check VAR says no penalty kick but this is better from Liverpool. More zip to their attack. Moments later Robertson clips in a cross and it finds Harvey Elliott at the back post but he smashes a shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Even start in east London

It has been pretty combative early on as both teams look angry. You can understand why after their recent form.

West Ham lineup

Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio

Liverpool lineup

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz

West Ham focus, team news

The Hammers just haven’t been able to find the right combination of players in midfield and defense all season long. The importance of Declan Rice has been underlined. However, all is not lost. If West Ham finish strongly they can still qualify for Europe and seventh place is well within reach. They just have to go for it now.

OUT: Nayef Aguerd (foot), George Earthy (concussion) | QUESTIONABLE: Konstantinos Mavropanos (knock)

Liverpool focus, team news

The Reds looked so far off it at Everton that it was tough to understand why. Mohamed Salah is in a slump and Liverpool are struggling at the same time. That is no coincidence as everything runs through Salah.

OUT: Diogo Jota (hip), Conor Bradley (ankle), Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Thiago Alcantara (groin)