Liverpool's title hopes almost end after Antonio earns a point for West Ham | first division

It's over? Watching his team manage to score more points with some strange and wasteful finishing at the London Stadium, Jürgen Klopp could at least tell himself that this could be the last time he will have to train in a 12:30 p.m. kick-off. Next season that responsibility will fall to Arne Slot, who will also have to figure out how to do Liverpool More ruthless in front of goal.

This was a game they could win 10 times. Luis Díaz could have scored a hat-trick but ended up with just one assist. Following a Jarrod Bowen header at half-time, Liverpool should have taken the points after coming from behind to lead 2-1. Conviction, however, is in short supply at both ends of the field. West Ham, who are preparing for their own managerial change, have been given a route back. David Moyes could be happy with a point after Michail Antonio's late equalizer, leaving Liverpool two points off the top.

With their hopes of a long quadruple reduced to dust, Liverpool can at least start planning for the Slot era. There are the usual tasks to be done: which signings to target, which players to sell, when to schedule the grand opening and, perhaps most importantly, how to ensure the new man can find some joy in the one thing Klopp definitely won't miss. less when I leave English football.

This had all the ingredients to be another grueling lunchtime outing for Liverpool. The atmosphere was calm and Klopp looked bored as he watched from his solitary position on the touchline. It was almost as if Klopp was waiting for something to go wrong.

The German had reacted strongly to the defeat against Everton, with Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah included among the five players who fell to the bench, and the first signs were positive. Playing all the football, making all the passes, there were times when Liverpool threatened to overwhelm West Ham. Moyes' team, who were committed to their strategy of sitting deep and playing on the counterattack, were soon forced to show more intensity by the home fans.

Confidence was fragile after West Ham's win at Crystal Palace. Mohamed Kudus struggled down the left and his direct dribble caused Trent Alexander-Arnold problems, but the excitement was limited. Lucas Paqueta simply wasn't in the game. Bowen sparked a counterattack with a nutmeg on Alexis Mac Allister, only for the play to fail due to a lack of forward support.

Liverpool entered their rhythm. They should have taken the lead when Cody Gakpo headed in an Andy Robertson cross, but Harvey Elliott shot wide. The radar was off. Having a chance with a free kick after a Kudus foul, Alexander-Arnold set West Ham free by lifting a disappointing effort. On the right, Mac Allister shot too close to Alphonse Areola.

The poor finish made Liverpool vulnerable. A few minutes after Diaz cut inside from the left and fired low at Areola's near post, West Ham decided to try the unfamiliar concept of pressing. Possession was lost and Alisson pushed Bowen's deflected shot behind.

Doubtful on set pieces against Everton, Liverpool were guilty of switching off again. Paquetá ran to the left to take the corner and passed it short to Kudus. The Ghanaian faced no pressure when he crossed and Gakpo lost Bowen, who headed a header past Alisson.

Liverpool retreated down the tunnel wondering how they were behind. What they needed to know, however, is that West Ham have developed a terrible habit of conceding goals shortly after half-time this season. Very soon it was 1-1, Díaz put a pass towards Robertson, who shot low past Areola.

West Ham sank again. Mac Allister was running in Liverpool's midfield and they had a chance to go ahead. Ryan Gravenberch completely missed his shot when he was free in the box. With space to shoot, Alexander-Arnold got the best of Areola.

It was no surprise when the second goal arrived in the 65th minute. An Alexander-Arnold corner reached the far post and Gakpo's hopeful shot deflected off Angelo Ogbonna and Areola. It was all very tame on the part of West Ham, whose lack of mobility in central defense was increasingly exposed.

Liverpool chased them. Gakpo shot over. Díaz, breaking away from Vladimir Coufal on the left, had opportunities to seal the victory, but Areola denied him with two magnificent saves.

West Ham held on. Emerson Palmieri lifted them with a shot that caused a save from Alisson. Moments later, Bowen cut in from the right and scored a beautiful cross. Antonio, who had come between Virgil van Dijk and Jarell Quansah, headed the equalizer past Alisson.

Klopp responded by telling Nunez and Salah to prepare. There was time for a strange, testy exchange with Salah, who didn't seem particularly interested in listening to his manager's instructions. Then, with two minutes left, Elliott hit the crossbar with a shot. Liverpool found a way not to win.