Liverpool edged out West Ham United at Anfield tonight.
But should it have been a draw? Honestly, probably.
Jurgen Klopp’s outfit recorded a slender 1-0 win over the Hammers on Merseyside.
However, West Ham had enough opportunities to score themselves – and Manuel Lanzini absolutely should’ve scored one of them.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Argentine attacker somehow blazed over the crossbar from eight yards out.
With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate nowhere to be found, the West Ham star had the goal at his mercy but he couldn’t covert following a cross from Tomas Soucek.
And here’s what Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said live on Sky Sports:
He said: “He had two bites of the cherry and you can’t believe he hasn’t taken one. What a chance…it was brilliant initially, but that [the shot over the bar] was awful.”
Liverpool held on to what was a massive victory in the end.
Sadio Mane’s first-half goal was the difference as the Anfield outfit moved three points behind Manchester City, with both playing 27 Premier League games.
Defeat for City against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening would make things extremely interesting, given that Liverpool would have it in their own hands to move level on points with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Winning ugly is often the hallmark of potential champions – or so they say – and this performance against West Ham was certainly an unattractive, yet effective, victory.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
