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Klopp says Liverpool were not scared by West Ham

Klopp says Liverpool were not scared by West Ham
© Reuters
Reds boss disputes claim of Hammers midfielder Noble.

Jurgen Klopp dismissed suggestions that Liverpool were "scared" of West Ham after his team's Premier League title bid was dented at London Stadium.

The table-topping Reds were aiming to restore their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Michail Antonio quickly cancelled out Sadio Mane's controversial 22nd-minute opener.

Manuel Pellegrini's impressive hosts had a number of chances for a winner, with Hammers captain Mark Noble claiming in a post-match interview with Sky Sports that they had "scared" the visitors.

But manager Klopp, who accepted James Milner was offside before setting up Mane's goal, disagreed.

"I wish for all West Ham fans that Mark Noble and his team would scare more teams and not only us tonight because then they would be in another situation," said the German.

"I don't know him really well so I don't know why he speaks about us after a game like that.

West Ham United v Liverpool – Premier League – London Stadium
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his team were not scared by West Ham (Adam Davy/PA)

"They defended well, that's true. They didn't scare us, it's a normal away game. We've won away games when we've played worse than tonight and nobody spoke about it afterwards.

"They had a result – 1-1 – but I didn't see that they scared us."

Antonio's equaliser resulted in a second successive draw for Liverpool and means they have taken only eight points from the last 15 available.

West Ham United v Liverpool – Premier League – London Stadium
West Ham's Michail Antonio celebrates his equaliser against Liverpool (Adam Davy/PA)

Klopp, without a host of first-team players in the capital including captain Jordan Henderson and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, insists his squad can handle the pressure of a title race following another frustrating setback.

"If you want to be at the top of the table at the end of the season, you have to deal with much tougher situations than we had today. That's the truth, that's always clear," he said.

"But of course you need players fit and available, that helps a bit.

"We have to fight, it's not about pressure, it's about enjoying the situation. We have 62 points, lost one game in a full season so far, which is very positive.

"I have seen your faces already, you feel a bit sorry with us, you don't have to, we are fine, everything is good. Tonight was just a tough game."

Britain Soccer Premier League
Sadio Mane, centre, is congratulated by team-mates Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk after giving Liverpool the lead (AP)

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini was frustrated his team were denied victory by a refereeing error.

However, following three successive losses, including an embarrassing FA Cup exit at League One Wimbledon, he was pleased with the performances of his players.

"Yes, disappointed, without any doubt," he said.

Britain Soccer Premier League
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini was disappointed Liverpool's goal was allowed to stand (AP)

"If you create four chances and didn't score and they score a goal one metre and a half offside, you must be disappointed and worried.

"I think we played in the way I like this team to play against every team.

"Maybe in the moment that we were (on a losing run), nobody believed that we could do it but I was absolutely sure and I trusted the players that we can play in the way we did.

"I think we did a complete performance, because against the team that has the best defence we created so many chances."


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West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini looks distraught as his team are beaten by Wolves on January 29, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City26202468204862
2Liverpool25195156154162
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs25190651242757
4Chelsea25155545232250
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd25146549351448
6Arsenal25145651361547
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2511593332138
8Watford259793334-134
9Everton2696113638-233
10Bournemouth25103123744-733
11Leicester CityLeicester2595113031-132
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham2595113138-732
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2576122736-927
14Crystal Palace2575132633-726
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2566132133-1224
16Southampton2559112742-1524
17Burnley2566132646-2024
18Cardiff CityCardiff2564152246-2422
19Fulham2545162555-3017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2525181346-3311

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