Liverpool’s title hopes took another hit as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
The result comes as a blow to their aspirations of lifting the Premier League trophy in manager Jurgen Klopp’s final season at the club.
Despite being the better side in a lackluster first half at the London Stadium, Liverpool had a penalty denied for an offside in the build-up before Luis Díaz hit the post.
West Ham took the lead just before halftime through Jarrod Bowen’s 77-minute header, but Liverpool swiftly responded by equalizing three minutes after the break with Andy Robertson’s shot sneaking past Alphonse Areola.
Liverpool then took the lead through an own goal by Cody Gakpo, which deflected off Angelo Ogbonna and then Areola. However, West Ham fought back, with Michail Antonio heading in a cross from Bowen to level the score.
Jurgen Klopp’s side needed a win to keep up pace with title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City but faltered once again after the 2-0 defeat against Everton in midweek.
The draw leaves Liverpool in third place with 75 points, one behind Manchester City, who have played two fewer games, and two behind leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.
Liverpool’s chances now rely on City and Arsenal slipping up, a situation Gakpo described as “very, very difficult. It is going to be difficult, not impossible.”
West Ham, on the other hand, keep their slim chances of European qualification alive, remaining in eighth place with 49 points, one behind Newcastle United and four behind Manchester United, both of whom have two games in hand.
