Sports

Liverpool Title Hopes Ebb Away After West Ham Draw

Published

8 months ago

April 28, 2024

Jurgen Klopp said he was “not in the mood” to discuss Liverpool’s Premier League title chances after a 2-2 draw at West Ham on Saturday effectively snuffed out their hopes.

Just weeks ago Liverpool were on course for a quadruple of trophies but Klopp’s final season at Anfield is fizzling out.

The latest blow came at the London Stadium, where the visitors realistically had to win to have any chance of staying in the hunt alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.

A goal from Andy Robertson and an own goal from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola put Liverpool 2-1 in front but Michail Antonio powered a header past Allison Becker to pull David Moyes’s side level.

The single point leaves Liverpool third in the table on 75 points, one behind defending champions City, who have two games in hand. Leaders Arsenal are two points clear of Liverpool, with a game in hand.

Klopp, whose side were dumped out of the FA Cup and Europa League at the quarter-final stage, brushed aside questions about the title race in the aftermath of the disappointing draw.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about that to be honest or look at that at all,” he told TNT Sports.

“We had to win here, we knew that, and we didn’t, and now we have a little bit more time between now and the next game. We try to get the boys ready again and we will go again.”

The German bemoaned his side’s squandered chances, which have cost them dear in recent weeks.

“When we are 2-1 up we could control it, and still, as I said, in a lot of moments playing really well but the final situation we didn’t take,” he said. “That has been the story of the last four weeks.”

– Missed chances –
Liverpool were on the front foot from the start at the London Stadium but energy quickly drained out of the encounter and the atmosphere went flat.

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was lucky to escape punishment after a reckless early tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.

The contest livened up in the closing minutes of the first period, with Luis Diaz hitting the post for the visitors after good work down the left.

Two minutes later Liverpool goalkeeper Allison was called into action, making a sharp save from Jarrod Bowen’s deflected shot.

But he was powerless to keep out Bowen’s header from the resulting corner, which took the England forward to 16 Premier League goals this season.

Liverpool emerged for the second half with renewed intent and Ryan Gravenberch fired over from just inside the box.

They were back on terms in the 48th minute when Robertson squeezed a shot past Areola at his near post.

Gravenberch attempted a flick minutes later but the chance went begging.

Angelo Ogbonna then made a crucial block as the game opened up before Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot from distance was saved.

Liverpool got their noses in front in the 65th minute after Cody Gakpo’s shot hit Ogbonna, Tomas Soucek and Areola on its way into the net.

The visitors had chances to pull further ahead but Antonio headed home a Bowen cross in the 77th-minute to level.

Klopp threw on Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez after the equaliser in a desperate search for a winner.

Salah, who appeared to direct angry words at Klopp before he was introduced, raced forward as the clock ticked down.

His pass fell behind Nunez but Harvey Elliott picked up the ball, rattling a shot off the crossbar — Liverpool’s final clear chance.

West Ham, eighth in the Premier League table, face a battle in their bid to secure European football next season.

Moyes last season delivered the club’s first major trophy for 43 years but has been coy over his future.

AFP

Sports

Former Brazilian Football Star Marries ex-Wife’s Niece

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2025

Naijablitznews

Ex- Brazil international Hulk has tied the knot with Camila Angelo, his ex-wife’s niece, in a religious ceremony on Friday, 3 January, 2025,

The couple had already formalised their union in a civil ceremony in 2020.

An ecstatic Hulk expressed his joy on Instagram as he shared photos from his wedding, writing, “Before God and the promises of our love, we unite in one heart, beginning our eternity together, life! I love you.”

The wedding took place in Hulk’s hometown of Campina Grande at The Diocesan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, which was adorned with a sea of white roses. A grand reception is planned for January 7 at a luxury resort in João Pessoa, involving 500 professionals, including chefs, floral designers, and lighting technicians.

Hulk was previously married to Iran Angelo, Camila’s aunt, for 12 years. Their marriage, which ended in 2019, produced three children: sons Ian and Tiago, and a daughter, Alice.

The relationship between Hulk and Camila became public in December 2019, just months after his split from Iran. The couple married in September 2020, and in 2021, they welcomed their first child, Zaya, followed by their second child, Aisha, in 2023.

The relationship has drawn criticism from Camila’s family and a cross section of people following the scenario. Rayssa, one of Iran’s sisters, condemned the union on social media, writing, “Today is a hard day to swallow, a day that reveals how far betrayal can go when it comes from the people we least expect. If my mother were alive, I am sure she would not be able to bear such monstrosity.”

Sports

Dembele’s last-gasp goal fires PSG to French Super Cup glory

Published

5 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ousmane Dembele netted a last-gasp winenr as Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 1-0 to win the French Super Cup on Sunday.

It is the third consecutive year the Ligue 1 champions have won the trophy.

PSG, who had clinched both the league and the French Cup, have now won the competition for the 11th time in the last 12 years.

In a lively encounter at Doha’s Stadium 974, PSG had 27 chances but failed to break the deadlock.

But Dembélé ensured the game did not go to penalties, when he sealed the win two minutes into injury time.

The Frenchman netted inside the far post after Fabián Ruiz laid on a neat pass across the face of the goal.

PSG return to league action next Sunday when they host St Etienne while Monaco visit lowly Nantes on Friday.

Sports

Manchester United Firm As Liverpool Miss Golden Opportunity

Published

7 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Liverpool and Manchester United played to an exciting 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, sharing the spoils in a fast-paced encounter. Despite Liverpool being the favorites due to United’s recent struggles, the visitors showed resilience and a much-improved performance.

Manchester United started strong, managing to contain the pro-Liverpool crowd early on and creating several chances. Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Højlund were key in getting behind Liverpool’s defense. Amad Diallo missed a great opportunity from Dalot’s cross, and Højlund was denied by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson.

After a goalless first half, Manchester United came out to build momentum against Liverpool in the second. Lisandro Martínez broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish after a clever pass from Bruno Fernandes. However, Liverpool responded quickly, with Cody Gakpo equalizing through a stunning goal that left Matthijs de Ligt behind.

The game took another twist when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Manchester United’s De Ligt’s handball. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, giving the home team the lead. But United fought back, and Amad Diallo’s cool finish leveled the score once more.

Both teams had chances to win the match in the dying moments. Harry Maguire had an opportunity in injury time, but the game ended in a draw, meaning Liverpool couldn’t take advantage of Arsenal’s draw against Brighton earlier in the weekend.

Player ratings for Liverpool saw Mohamed Salah earn a solid 7.7/10, while Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konaté both received 7.7/10 as well. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes stood out with a performance rating of 8.7/10, followed by Lisandro Martínez with 8.2/10.

In the end, both teams earned a point, with the result being a fair reflection of a match full of excitement and attacking play.