Liverpool forward Sadio Mane’s first-half goal earned a 1-0 victory over West Ham and narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City but Jurgen Klopp’s side could count themselves lucky to earn the three points.
Mane’s close-range strike after 27 minutes proved enough for second-placed Liverpool to get within three points of City, but West Ham will rue squandering several gilt-edged chances.
Liverpool were far from their dominant selves as they claimed a seventh successive league win but were let off as West Ham’s Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini failed to capitalise on their massive opportunities.
That allowed the Reds to keep the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side, who host Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
West Ham’s top-four ambitions have slipped away in recent weeks, and their attention now turns to the first leg of their Europa League tie against Sevilla on Thursday.
