An angry Jurgen Klopp admits his Liverpool team got lucky to come away from West Ham with a Premier League point on Monday night as their title bid took another knock.
The German also reckons that Sadio Mane’s 22nd-minute offside opener cost them the game, accusing referee Kevin Friend for “strange decisions” in the second half to compensate for his mistake.
The London Stadium hosts hit back to through Michail Antonio six minutes after falling behind to frustrate the title-chasing Reds, who will lose top spot in the league should Manchester City win at Everton on Wednesday night.
Klopp, though, says the Reds won’t give up on landing a first Anfield title since 1990, despite only securing a point thanks to Mane’s illegitimate goal.
He says: “‘It was not our best, of course.We had good moments. We scored the goal, which was offside.
“The referee must know that at half-time. It explains the second half because I think the referee knew and you saw there were a lot of strange situations, not decisive, just rhythm-breakers.’
Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini was just as angry, adding: “Klopp is used to beating me with offside.
“He beat me at Malaga with a goal that was seven metres offside, so he cannot complain about anything.
“We deserved to win. I am not happy with a point.
‘If we are going to give a hand to Man City, who were also my club, maybe the manager of Liverpool didn’t like it.