LIVERPOOL’s slim chances of winning the title were dashed by a demoralising draw.
Mo Salah’s argument with Jurgen Klopp on the touchline before coming on as a late substitution encapsulated up their season’s failure.
Liverpool’s title ambitions appear to have over after a 2-2 draw with West Ham.
Michail Antonio scored a point for the Hammers.
Klopp’s side recovered from behind once more to lead 2-1 in the final stages at the London Stadium.
However, Michail Antonio headed an equaliser, leaving the visitors two points behind leaders Arsenal despite having played one more game following a dismal week.
All of the components of Liverpool’s poor conclusion to Klopp’s final season were present.
They fell down for the 18th time in 35 league games as Jarrod Bowen headed West Ham ahead after a set piece shortly before halftime.
Michail Antonio grabbed a point for the Hammers
Soon after halftime, Andy Robertson drew them level, and Alphonse Areola’s own goal put them ahead.
However, they squandered fantastic chances to take the game away from the Hammers.
And as worries began to set in at the back, Bowen’s brilliant cross found Antonio.
The fact that right-back shots were the closest thing to a goal for much of the first half spoke a lot about the low-key nature of the game.
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Apart from Lucas Paqueta’s terrible early foul on Alexis MacAllister, for which he was not even booked, neither side appeared concerned.
Liverpool felt they had a penalty in the 27th minute after Angelo Ogbonna fouled Cody Gakpo, but Luis Diaz was offside throughout the build-up.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold then found himself the furthest advanced, and West Ham goalkeeper Areola saved the shot, his first important save of the day.
Then, at the opposite end, Alisson caught Vladimir Coufal’s rasper.
Diaz was the only Liverpool player who had persistent purpose and belief, and his 40th-minute shot rebounded off Areola’s near post.
But then his team turned off on the other end.
Alisson made a fantastic save on Bowen’s deflected shot to force a corner.
The Liverpool defence failed to notice West Ham’s rapid attack, Mohammed Kudus crossed, and Bowen got enough on his header to beat Alisson.
The visitors came out early in the second half and immediately leveled.
Diaz fed Robertson, whose harmless-looking shot was not blocked by Areola’s weak right hand.
Liverpool could have taken the lead soon after, but Ryan Gravenberch squandered a chance from Gakpo’s cross.
Chances kept coming. Ogbonna stopped Gakpo’s shot, and Areola saved from Alexander-Arnold.
The Hammers goalie then took an unnecessary touch on Gravenberch’s shot, and the visitors scored from the resulting corner.
Gravenberch’s shot was deflected by Ogbonna, Soucek, and Areola before going into the net.
Jarrod Bowen gave the hosts a halftime advantage.
Andy Robertson got the Reds level just after the break.
Robertson’s strike should have been kept out.
Alphonse Areola was credited with the own goal.
Antonio rose high with no challenge surrounding him.
The Frenchman denied Diaz twice, and Mac Allister failed to beat him with a close-range header, maintaining the score at 2-1.
However, Liverpool showed signs of nervousness at the back, as Alisson was forced to save a ferocious shot from Emerson.
Just seconds later, Bowen crossed wonderfully for Antonio to equalize.
Klopp made a triple substitution, bringing in Salah and Darwin Nunez in quest of another late winner, but not before Nunez had to act as a mediator between his gesticulating teammate and the manager.
Coufal denied Nunez a tap-in from Salah’s cross in the 84th minute, and the Hammers had further stressful moments, particularly when Salah broke and Harvey Elliott hit the crossbar.
But there would be no late comeback for Liverpool this time, and Klopp would not leave with a title.
The action at the London Stadium unfolded as follows:
