Sadio Mane’s close-range finish got Liverpool a nervy 1-0 win over West Ham which helped the Reds close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to three points.
West Ham are one of the only two teams to have defeated the Reds in all competitions this term, and the top-four-chasers put up a good fight in Saturday’s contest at Anfield. Liverpool scored through Mane’s 27th-minute goal and that ultimately displayed enough for the home side after West Ham lost too many big opportunities late on.
The Reds’ eleventh (11th) victory in 12 matches across all competitions, and a seventh on the spin in the league, only raises the pressure on City ahead of Sunday’s derby with Manchester United FC.
Michail Antonio twice tested Alisson though it was Liverpool who opened the scoring via Mane, who just about remained onside to turn in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wayward shot.
An engaging end to the first half saw Aaron Cresswell block Luis Diaz’s shot on the line, just a minute before Alexander-Arnold did likewise to stop Pablo Fornals.
The visitors were dealt a blow early in the second half when Jarrod Bowen limped off with an apparent foot injury, however they made life uneasy for their rivals.
Manuel Lanzini fired a shot with Alisson to beat from eight yards and Antonio couldn’t shoot on target when through on goal in the final 10 minutes as Liverpool held on.
So, What does it mean?
Again, Reds victorious at fortress Anfield West Ham prevailed 3-2 in November’s reverse fixture to inflict an early title blow on Liverpool, although the Reds have dropped points in three of 16 matches so far. Jurgen Klopp’s side have now forfeited one of their last 49 home league matches against the Hammers and their form at Anfield is imperious.
Futballnews reports that the Reds have won their last seven home league games by an aggregate score of 19-2, and are very much unbeaten at Anfield in the competition in 18 matches since March 7 last year. Alexander-Arnold set up that goal and now has about 16 assists in all competitions for the Reds this season, of which it is his best in a single campaign after registering 15 twice before.
Is Salah frustrated?
Against no Premier League side has Salah scored more often against than West Ham (nine), comprising a goal in all four previous meetings as a Liverpool player at Anfield. Although, he failed to net from any of his six shots on Saturday – only against Stoke City in April 2018 has he had more in a league match for the Reds without scoring [seven]
