Referee howler cushions Liverpool’s fall against West Ham

Premier League leaders Liverpool faltered again in the title race after being held against West Ham United, but it should have been much worse for the Reds.

Replays showed James Milner in an offside position.

Leaders Liverpool have faltered again in the Premier League title race as they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United.

Sadio Mane gave Liverpool a 22nd minute lead, with a goal that should have been cancelled for offside in the lead-up play, 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.

Replays showed James Milner in an offside position.

West Ham are 11th in the standings.

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 when James Milner, who 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.

Jurgen Klopp reacts to a missed chance. Picture: AFP

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 before Reds substitute Divock Origi spurned a fantastic opening in the final play of the game, when the officials allowed play to continue despite him appearing to be offside.

#WestHam 1 - 1 #Liverpool

Lo amamos ingeniero 🥰 pic.twitter.com/WccObmQh1g

— Manchester City (@ManCity_Es) February 4, 2019

Could it happen again #liverpool #bottleit #slipup pic.twitter.com/4dmzEsQVKW

— Sunny (@Sunny_sanctuary) February 4, 2019

Tonight’s linesman’s doing a great job. #westham #Liverpool #bottled @jay @GaryLineker pic.twitter.com/h0O21CtHSP

— mohsin kabir (@Mohsin_kabir11) February 4, 2019

“Mum we have bottled it again. It’s just like 2013” 😭 😂😂⚽️⚽️⚽️ #PremierLeague #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/sGJN8VKf6t

— Callum Richards (@calric1998) February 4, 2019

West Ham United: 1 Liverpool: Offside goal 😂😂 #PremierLeague #WHULIV #WHUFC #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/RJFt0WuLNK

— 💓💓Rhimeek🇬🇭🇬🇭 (@King_joee1) February 4, 2019

Originally published as Referee howler cushions Liverpool’s fall against West Ham