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Klopp in no doubt over Liverpool’s nerve after Hammers draw (REAX-
newseries)
LONDON, Feb 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp tried to
preempt questions about the Premier League leaders’ ability to cope with
pressure after they again dropped points in the title race in a 1-1 draw away
to West Ham on Monday.
This result left Liverpool three points in front of second-placed
Manchester City less than a week after they missed the chance to go seven
points clear of the reigning champions.
It was also the second match in a row that Liverpool had dropped points
following a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester.
Pep Guardiola’s City could now regain top spot with victory at Everton on
Wednesday.
“Probably all the reports are already written without me saying anything,”
Klopp told the BBC.
“I didn’t see anything about pressure that you can ask in the next few
questions,” added the German, looking to become the first Liverpool manager
in 29 years to win the English title.
Sadio Mane gave Liverpool a 22nd-minute lead at the London Stadium despite
Hammers’ complaints that James Milner was offside in the build-up.
But Manuel Pellegrini’s men equalised just six minutes later when a clever
free-kick caught Liverpool napping and Michail Antonio shot past Alisson.
West Ham’s Declan Rice and Mark Noble squandered good chances but Liverpool
substitute Divock Origi could have won the match with the last kick of the
game — just as he did in the Merseyside derby against Everton in December.
But Origi, offside inside the box, failed to get any power into a shot
straight at goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
– ‘Scared them’ –
“It was a tough game,” said Klopp. “You saw around the set-piece, we knew
about the routine but when we trained we had three other players in the team.
“Apparently our goal was offside and maybe the referee knew that in the
second half. It’s a point and it’s a fair point.
“We had ups and downs. At the end we were up again,” he added. “Now we take
the point and carry on.”
Meanwhile Hammers captain Noble suggested his side had intimidated the
Reds.
“You can’t play man to man against Liverpool and out-pass them,” he told
Sky Sports. “You have to keep your shape and stop them.
“We scared them. You have to do that against the top teams.
“We’re gutted in there because the goal was clearly offside. We scored a
fantastic set-play and didn’t manage to get a second goal.”
BSS/AFP/ARS/1706 hrs