Premier League Drama: Match Between West Ham and Liverpool Ends in a 2-2 Draw
The possibility of a harmonious farewell for Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp is dwindling as disagreements continue to arise, the latest being a sideline spat with Mohamed Salah during a 2-2 deadlock with West Ham that further hampered any dissipating championship aspirations. Salah was called in from the sidelines by Klopp in the 79th minute after Michail Antonio levelled the score for West Ham. The incident resulted in a tense discourse between Salah, Egypt’s premier striker, and his promoting manager, before fellow replacement Darwin Nunez intervened to calm his comrade.
The unpleasant incident concluded yet another underwhelming performance from Liverpool, who could have, at least temporary, equated with leaders Arsenal had they secured a win. They managed to turn around a 1-goal trail- a header from Jarrod Bowen – to lead 2-1 due to the quick shot by Andy Robertson plus a humorous own goal from West Ham. Yet, Antonio’s header propelled two additional points to be forfeited and Klopp’s last stint at the helm continues to be uneventful.
Liverpool’s faint title hopes were further eclipsed by an uninspiring first-half display, reminiscent of a lethargic summer kickabout rather than a top-flight game. Despite having major ball possession during the early phase of the game, they didn’t capitalise. A cross from Robertson was skillfully received by Harvey Elliott’s foot, but the follow-up shot had only found the side netting.
Referee Anthony Taylor granted Liverpool a penalty after Anthony Ogbonna not only obstructed Cody Gakpo, but added an intentional handball to the mix. However, the potential advantage was nullified by Luis Diaz’s offside position which was confirmed by VAR. Gakpo had a chance at redemption when Diaz set him up perfectly, only for the shot to blaze over the crossbar.
Just before the halftime whistle, Liverpool’s defense was exposed by an impromptu corner kick. Mohammed Kudus lofted the ball into the box and Bowen’s well-aimed header was out of reach for Alisson Becker’s desperate dive. Liverpool did retaliate immediately at the resumption of play when Diaz rushed down the West Ham flank and floated the ball into open play. The charging Robertson was the first to reach, and his swift drive slipped through Areola to find the back of West Ham’s net.
An unintentionally comedic own goal almost propelled Liverpool back into the competition for the title. It occurred when Trent Alexander-Arnold sent the ball into play from the corner, and it was nudged towards the six-yard box by Gakpo, resulting in a total uproar.
The ball was unfortunately sliced towards the goal by Ogbonna, while Tomas Soucek’s ineffective attempt to clear it only ended up hitting Areola and tragically rolling into the net. However, Areola partially redeemed himself with an excellent save from Diaz, just before Alisson thwarted a powerful volley from Emerson Palmieri.
Yet, in the 77th minute, Bowen managed to escape down the right side and sent a cross to Antonio, who flawlessly found a hole between Virgil Van Dijk and Jarell Quansah to head the ball in effortlessly.
Salah joined in just after sparking a spat with Klopp but failed to make a difference as Liverpool’s faltering finish to the season carried on.