Klopp says key decisions cost Liverpool against West Ham

Liverpool boss claims a foul on Alisson in buildup to West Ham equaliser and a red-card challenge by Cresswell on Henderson that went unpunished contributed to defeat

Kurt Zouma of West Ham United celebrates after scoring their side's third goal against Liverpool in a 3-2 win at London Stadium on November 07, 2021. Getty Images

West Ham United's Kurt Zouma celebrates scoring their third goal. Reuters

West Ham United's Kurt Zouma scores their third goal. Reuters

West Ham United's Pablo Fornals scores their second goal. PA

West Ham United's Pablo Fornals celebrates. Reuters

Alisson Becker of Liverpool wipes his head with a towel. Getty Images

Liverpool's Alisson scores an own goal. Reuters

Liverpool's Alisson scores an own goal and West Ham United's first. Reuters

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold attempts a shot on goal. PA

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold scores their first goal. Reuters

Divock Origi of Liverpool has a headed shot whilst under pressure from Craig Dawson and Ben Johnson of West Ham United. Getty Images

Divock Origi of Liverpool battles for possession with Said Benrahma of West Ham United. Getty Images

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp felt two key decisions went against his side and contributed to their 3-2 defeat at West Ham United on Sunday.

The Reds arrived at the London Stadium knowing that if they avoided defeat they would extend their unbeaten run to 26 matches, beating the club’s all-time record set by Bob Paisley’s team in 1982.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick just before half time looked to put Liverpool on course but West Ham have lofty ambitions themselves this season and proved it in the second half when Pablo Fornals, whose corner had been palmed in by Reds keeper Alisson for the opening goal, broke away to score a second.

Kurt Zouma then headed a third and although Divock Origi pulled one back with seven minutes remaining, the Hammers held on for a notable victory.

However, Klopp was adamant West Ham’s first goal should not have stood as Angelo Ogbonna had impeded Alisson, and he felt Aaron Cresswell should have been red-carded for a first-half challenge on Jordan Henderson.

“In the first half we had complete control of game, scored a wonderful equaliser and were in charge of the game," Klopp said.

“In the second half they scored from a counter and a set piece. But also that happened because we should have controlled the game still in the second half. It looked like we lost patience.

“So we lost that game. But I think it’s a clear foul on Alisson, how can it not be? When you see the dynamic of the situation how can that not be a foul?

“Then I saw only the situation with Aaron and Hendo now, and the way I see it is it’s a clear red card. There is no discussion. You cannot go like this into a challenge.”

West Ham v Liverpool ratings

WEST HAM RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski – 6: The Pole was clumsy when trying to play the ball out from the back but made some good saves. He had no chance with either goal. Reuters

Ben Johnson – 7: The 21-year-old kept Mane quiet and produced a composed and mature performance. A fine effort by the academy product. Getty

Kurt Zouma – 8: The Frenchman had to be adaptable and switch positions after Ogbonna's early injury but there was no drop-off in his performance. He was strong in the tackle and scored the winning goal. Getty

Angelo Ogbonna – 7: The Italian distracted Alisson for the opening goal but was forced to leave the game after 22 minutes when he was elbowed in the face by Jota. Replaced by Dawson. Getty

Aaron Cresswell – 7: The boyhood Liverpool fan took a rugged approach to defending and was a little lucky to avoid a red card for a brutal challenge on Henderson. Getty

Declan Rice – 7: The England midfielder was disciplined and sat deep to help soak up the Liverpool pressure. He used the ball well. Reuters

Tomas Soucek - 7: The Czech was more restrained than usual and had to rein in his attacking instincts. It worked and gave West Ham the advantage in the midfield. Getty

Pablo Fornals – 8: The Spaniard’s corner caused havoc in the Liverpool box for the opening goal. That feat was eclipsed by his clever run and finish for West Ham’s second. Getty

Said Benrahma - 7: The Algerian took few risks defensively but showed an eye for the counter-attack. He linked well with Antonio but was substituted with four minutes to go when Masuaku came on. Getty

Jarrod Bowen – 8: The 24-year-old produced a lovely ball to set up the goal for Fornals. He was always willing to come to Johnson’s aid to shore up the right of the defence. Taken off with six minutes to go for Coufal. Getty

Michail Antonio - 6: The forward might have done better at the end of the first period when a slack touch cost him a goalscoring chance. He was unable to get the better of van Dijk. Getty

SUBS: Craig Dawson - 7: The 31-year-old joined the action in the 22nd minute for Ogbonna. He made a number of blocks and set the move going for Fornals's goal. Reuters

Vladimir Coufal – 6: The Czech replaced Bowen with six minutes left. His fresh legs helped see his team over the line. Gaetty

Arthur Masuaku - 6: The Congolese joined the fray with four minutes left at Benrahma’s expense. He slotted in and bolstered the defence. Getty

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 2: The Brazilian got off to a bad start and punched into his own goal from a corner. Things did not improve. He was beaten too easily for the second and was distracted again from a corner before the third. Getty

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5: The 22-year-old scored a superb free kick but was caught in no-man’s land when pressed back. His use of the ball was not as precise as usual. Getty

Joel Matip - 5: The 30-year-old was not the worst offender in the defence but questions have to be asked about the centre backs when the opposition score twice from corners. Getty

Virgil van Dijk – 6: The Dutchman handled Antonio and made a splendid tackle on Bowen but did not exert his authority at corners. Getty

Andy Robertson – 3: The Scot was awful in the second half as the game got away from Liverpool. He surged forward in the opening period but his distribution was poor. Getty

Fabinho – 6: The Brazilian screened the back four but was caught out when the quick break was on. He was replaced by Minamino with 10 minutes to go as Liverpool chased the game. AP

Jordan Henderson - 5: The captain sent in an inviting cross for Jota but never gained control in the midfield. He was hurt by Cresswell’s terrible challenge. AP

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5: The 28-year-old had trouble finding red shirts with his passes. He tried to generate some forward momentum but wasted possession too often. Taken off for Thiago with 21 minutes to go. PA

Mohamed Salah - 5: The Egyptian always looks dangerous but there was little end product on this occasion. He was crowded out of the game in the second half. AP

Diogo Jota - 4: The Portuguese put a header over the bar and elbowed Ogbonna in the face. After that he disappeared and had a particularly anonymous second half. Replaced by Origi with 14 minutes left. PA

Sadio Mane - 6: The Senegalese worked hard and caused the defence concern with his direct running but he wasted a late chance to equalise. Reuters

SUBS: Thiago Alcantara – 3: The 30-year-old came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain with 21 minutes to go and was expected to improve the team’s passing. Instead, he looked rusty and was wasteful. Reuters

Divock Origi – 7: The Belgian was brought on for Fabinho with 14 minutes to go. His physicality worried the defence and he scored a splendid goal. Getty

Takumi Minamino - 5: The Japanese replaced Jota with 10 minutes left. He was no more effective than his substituted team-mate. Getty

A memorable win, David Moyes’ first in eight attempts against Klopp, saw West Ham leapfrog Liverpool into third place heading into the international break.

“I think we’re there on merit. You can see the quality and attitude of the players,” said Moyes.

“I want us to challenge the teams in the top four, whoever that may be. I’ve laid down that challenge to the players. Hopefully one of them could be us.

“Today was a challenge, Liverpool have been in such good form, but we’ve got some resilience, and counter-attacking and corner kicks are not a bad recipe.

“The biggest thing is this is a busy workload for any club. Look at the run of games we’ve got, while we are still growing the seeds of how we are going to become this better team.

“I want us to be competitive. I hope before now people were thinking West Ham’s a tough game. Today’s opposition have very little weaknesses. I want to give the players the credit they deserve.”