Football

Unstoppable Liverpool overcome West Ham scare to maintain unbeaten title charge


They are just unstoppable.

They get past every hurdle, every scare, to chase down records in their incredible, remarkable season.

Sadio Mane got the late winner on a nervy night at Anfield when Liverpool survived an almighty scare which only served to underline the scale of their achievement.

Liverpool equalled two records – and more will follow. Their 18th consecutive Premier League win equalled Manchester City’s feat of two seasons ago and this was their 21st straight home win which levelled their own best set in 1972.

They have got more in sight, of course. It is now 44 games unbeaten, five short of Arsenal’s record of 49 and the title will surely follow before the end of March because no-one can live with them.

Sadio Mane celebrates his winner with teammate Georginio Wijnaldum
Sadio Mane celebrates his winner with teammate Georginio Wijnaldum

This time there was a big slice of luck involved as West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski had a nightmare on two of Liverpool’s three goals and yet you always feel they will come back.

It felt as close as they have been to losing for a while but West Ham, stuck in the relegation zone and fighting for their lives, nearly pulled off one of the upsets of the season.

And that is the point. It is so easy to become used to Liverpool winning every week that you forget that every team is out to beat them, every team wants to be the first and as the season goes on the harder it becomes.

Lukas Fabianski had a sorry night between the sticks as he gifted Liverpool two goals
Lukas Fabianski had a sorry night between the sticks as he gifted Liverpool two goals

But for Liverpool to keep going, to stay on course to match Arsenal’s Invincibles and win the title unbeaten is a truly remarkable achievement and one which will mark this Jurgen Klopp team for greatness.

They deserve to be up there with every great team of Liverpool’s glorious past because, just like those before them, they have an unbeatable spirit and will to win.

Even when they are not at their best – and they were definitely below par against West Ham – they just find a way to get the job done.

This time they had to find inspiration from the bench as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came on with Liverpool 2-1 down, even the Kop were beginning to get nervous, and his extra drive from midfield proved to be a game changer.

It was a terrific game which perhaps no-one saw coming. West Ham were a 17-1 shot to win before kick-off and, when Georginio Wijnaldum stooped to head them into a ninth minute lead, the bookies looked safe. Fabianski should have saved it but did not.

Three minutes later, West Ham were level. Robert Snodgrass’s near post corner created havoc in the Liverpool box, Issa Diop evaded Joe Gomez and the West Ham defender headed home with keeper Alisson unable to keep it out.

Pablo Fornals' goal put Liverpool's record under threat
Pablo Fornals’ goal put Liverpool’s record under threat

West Ham fought and scrapped. Declan Rice battled in midfield, Michail Antonio caused problems up front and, for all their anger and banners to protest against the club’s ownership, the travelling fans never stopped singing all night. They were fantastic.

And, incredibly, West Ham went ahead after 54 minutes. Rice swept over a cross and there was substitute Pablo Fornals who got away from Gomez and put the ball past Alisson. No-one could quite believe it.

You could feel the clock ticking. But despite the nerves and West Ham fighting for their lives, you always felt it was inevitable Liverpool would come back. The only surprise was that it took so long.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross set up Mane for the late winner
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross set up Mane for the late winner

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Andy Robertson’s cross found Mo Salah and his shot was weak and yet it still managed to squirm between Fabianski’s legs and into the net. If the first goal was bad, the second was a howler.

Now, with more than 20 minutes left, it was all there for Liverpool. Sure enough, they did not have to wait for long. Gomez’s shot was deflected, Alexander-Arnold put over a cross and there was Sadio Mane to score the winner.

It was heartbreaking for West Ham. They never stopped trying or believing, they still could have nicked another goal but the celebrations at the final whistle told its own story for Liverpool.





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