Premier LeagueMatch report: Liverpool play out 2-2 draw at West Ham

Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring for the Hammers on the stroke of half-time, before Andy Robertson and an own goal via Cody Gakpo’s deflected low volley put the Reds ahead in the second half.

The hosts, however, secured a point 13 minutes from time with Michail Antonio’s header.

Team news

Gakpo returned to the starting line-up for the visit to West Ham, with the forward back in the XI after missing Wednesday’s clash with Everton as the Reds made five changes.

Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Jarell Quansah were selected, while Stefan Bajcetic was among the substitutes.

Liverpool: Alisson, Endo (Nunez, 79), Van Dijk, Diaz (Salah, 79), Mac Allister, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold (Gomez, 79), Quansah (Szoboszlai, 90+1).

Unused subs: Kelleher, Konate, Jones, Tsimikas, Bajcetic.

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First half

Liverpool started the afternoon on the front foot in the capital with Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk both volleying wide.

It was Elliott, though, who went closest as he latched onto a glancing Gakpo header inside the box to fire into the side-netting from a tight angle.

The Hammers responded via Bowen in a busy opening period, the attacker shooting low from distance and his effort well saved by the diving Alisson Becker.

The Reds continued to pressure the home defence, as Gravenberch saw a low cross gathered by Alphonse Areola, before the goalkeeper gave a penalty away on the next attack.

Gakpo was brought down inside the six-yard box but Luis Diaz was ruled to be offside in the build-up, with VAR confirming the on-field decision.

Trent Alexander-Arnold then had a driven shot punched clear and Vladimir Coufal also saw a similar chance saved at the opposite end.

Ahead of the half-time interval, Diaz struck the post for Liverpool with a low effort, which proved a decisive moment as West Ham opened the scoring two minutes before the break.

Bowen reacted sharply to a quickly taken corner, with Mohammed Kudus’ cross reaching the forward, who guided a header into the corner of the net.

Second half

Gravenberch signalled Liverpool’s early intent in the second period, volleying a powerful shot over the bar during a good opening just seconds after the restart.

And the Reds were level within three minutes thanks to a clever finish from Robertson, the full-back taking Diaz’s pass, flicking the ball up and shooting into the bottom corner of the net via an Areola touch.

Gravenberch again went close, this time his guided shot fell the wrong side of the post, before Gakpo had a driven hit blocked by the Hammers’ retreating defence.

Alexander-Arnold then forced Areola into a strong diving save, with the No.66’s strike dipping goalwards from range.

With 25 minutes remaining, Liverpool had a lead their play deserved, as Gakpo’s volley from a corner deflected into the net via Angelo Ogbonna, Tomas Soucek and goalkeeper Areola.

The Reds were on top and should’ve added to the scoreline in the following minutes – Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Gakpo again all forced strong interventions from the Hammers stopper.

Alisson, however, produced a brilliant save from Emerson as the ball sat up for the defender, although he would be beaten 13 minutes from time.

Antonio was on hand to meet a Bowen cross from the right and headed home, leaving the game all square.

Liverpool responded with three changes as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez stepped off the bench.

And Nunez almost put the Reds ahead from a low Salah cross, though Soucek recovered at the last moment to slide the ball behind.

As time expired at the end of 90 minutes, Elliott struck the bar with a blast during a Liverpool breakaway, which was the last meaningful action of the afternoon.