Now it’s really over: The Reds are out of the title race with a draw against West Ham

When Jurgen Klopp announced that he is leaving the club at the end of the season, it was January 2024. Many believed that the timing is wrong, but at the time the hype was big as well as the emotions, and the Reds were winning all games and talks about a triplet were in the media. But, the bubble burst in the worst possible moment, at the end of the season, and in culminated with a draw against West Ham (2-2) and a heated exchange between Klopp and Mohamed Salah on the sidelines. The title race is definitely over from today, as a draw with Hammers, along with a surprising defeat from arch-rivals Everton left the Reds one point behind City at the table, but with two games more than Guardiola and co. 

Everything has been thrown ‘down the river’ by Liverpool in the previous weeks. First, he was eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester United, then by Atalanta in the Europa League, and then along with Thames and Mersey, all dreams of Jurgen Klopp's triumphant farewell went away. In the end, he allowed himself to get into a heated exchange with Mohamed Salah, whom he left on the bench for this game, and will be on the front pages again, for the wrong reasons. The Egyptian was one of the players dropped for this match along with Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, clearly seen as a way for shaking the squad after a shocking defeat from Everton. It didn’t work and only when Antonio scored the equalizer did Klopp called Salah and Nunez from the bench, but Liverpool’s best scorer is not used to come in only 10 minutes before the end (unless he was injured) and things really looked bad at the end. And the end is near for Klopp.

For the 16th time this season the Reds were behind first, even thou they had initiative in the first half and better chances which were not used by Elliot and Diaz (hit the post). Bowen used his only chance in the first 45 minute to score the leading goal in the worst possible time, near the end of the half. Klopp obviously said something to his men in the dressing room as they looked much better and not only equalized quickly (Robertson 48th minute), but even turned the game completely, although with a little help from West Ham. Gakpo shot hit Ogbonna and then Soucek and ended up in the net for 2-1. But even thou the Reds had 28 total shots on goal, they couldn’t score that third goal and close the game, so experienced Michal Antonio equalized to give the Hammers a valuable point in their much needed battle for European football next season.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY

Saturday

West Ham - Liverpool 2-2 (1-0)

/Bowen 43, Antonio 77 - Robertson 48, Soucek 65(og)/

17:00: (1.52) Man.Utd. (4.30) Burnley (6.25)

17:00: (2.05) Wolverhampton (3.60) Luton (3.80)

17:00: (2.15) Fulham (3.60) Crystal Palace (3.60)

17:00: (1.23) Newcastle (6.75) Sheffield Utd (11.0)

19:30: (2.35) Everton (3.40) Brentford (3.00)

22:00: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.60) Chelsea (3.15)

Sunday

16:00: (4.50) Tottenham (3.80) Arsenal (1.85)

16:00: (2.30) Bournemouth (3.60) Brighton (2.95)

18:30: (9.00) Nott.Forest (5.80) Man.City (1.30)

***odds are subject to change***