Liverpool falter in EPL title race with grateful 1-1 draw at West Ham

Leaders Liverpool faltered again in the 2018/2019 English Premier League (EPL) title race as they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United on Monday.

Sadio Mane gave Liverpool a 22nd minute lead, but Michail Antonio equalised soon after to earn West Ham a deserved point.

It meant Liverpool extended their lead to three points over Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side will go top on goal difference if they beat Everton on Wednesday.

Javier Hernandez and Aaron Cresswell both shot just wide for the Hammers early on, while Hernandez also warmed the palms of Alisson in the Liverpool goal.

Liverpool went ahead in fortuitous circumstances in the 22nd minute through James Milner.

They appeared to be offside when he received the ball, crossed low into the area and Mane had time to swivel and fire home past Lukasz Fabianski.

The lead lasted only six minutes though as Naby Keita failed to track the run of Michail Antonio from a free kick and he fired across Alisson and inside the far post.

An edgy Liverpool had a huge let-off minutes before the break when Felipe Anderson’s free kick found youngster Declan Rice completely unmarked but he headed wide of a gaping goal.

Liverpool failed to find another gear after the break and Mark Noble could have won it for West Ham.