Liverpool v West Ham player ratings: Diaz 8, Mane 7; Antonio 5, Bowen 4

Reds claim a hard-fought 1-0 win at Anfield to move within three points of leaders Manchester City

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. The Brazilian needed to be alert as West Ham created chances. He made good stops from Antonio and Soucek and used the ball effectively. AFP

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  Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 23-year-old set up the winner and cleared off the line at the other end. His distribution was threatening throughout. EPA

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  Ibrahima Konate - 8. The Frenchman got into a real battle with Antonio and came out on top. He grew in stature as the game went on. Getty

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  Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman allowed Bowen an opportunity but it was a rare lapse. He was dominant in the air as the defence came under pressure. Getty

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  Andrew Robertson - 7. The Scot worked the line but his crossing was not as precise as usual. His best moment came when denying Bowen a scoring chance. PA

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  Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain ran relentlessly, snuffing out danger and propelling the team forward. He is effective but not flashy. Reuters

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  Fabinho - 5. The Brazilian failed to put his stamp on the midfield. He came out second best in a number of challenges and his passing was off beam. AFP

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  Naby Keita - 7. The Guinean made his presence felt spreading the ball across the width of the pitch. He helped out the defence when necessary and made way for Milner in the final minute. AFP

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  Mohamed Salah - 5. It was not the Egyptian’s day. He should have scored early on but the miss set the tone for his performance. Jota replaced him with 11 minutes left. AP

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  Sadio Mane - 7. The Senegalese scored the only goal with a bit of quick thinking. Although his touch was found wanting, he probed constantly. EPA

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  Luis Diaz - 8. The Colombian tested the defence with his running and went close to scoring twice. His control was superb. He was substituted in stoppage time for Jones. Reuters

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  SUBS: Diogo Jota (Salah 79') - 6. The Portuguese replaced Salah with 11 minutes to go and threatened right away. He had one chance and was booked in a busy cameo. Reuters

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  James Milner (Keita 90') - N/A. The 36-year-old came on for Keita in the final minute. He was his usual reassuring presence for a team with a one-goal lead. Reuters

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  Curtis Jones (Diaz 90'+6) - N/A. The 21-year-old was sent on in stoppage time at Diaz’s expense to waste a few moments and he immediately took the ball into the corner. Getty Images

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  WEST HAM RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski - 5. The Pole was caught in no-man’s land for Mane’s goal. He made some good saves but West Ham might have come away with a point had he been more decisive. Reuters

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  Ben Johnson - 6. The 22-year-old had his hands full with Mane and Robertson. This meant he could not get forward as much as he might have liked. Getty

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  Craig Dawson - 6. The 31-year-old made some brave challenges and a handful of blocks. Better communication with Fabianski might have made it more difficult for Mane to score. Reuters

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  Kurt Zouma - 6. The Frenchman was solid for most of the game but allowed Mane into the space between him and Dawson for the goal. He should have read the danger. PA

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  Aaron Cresswell - 6. The 32-year-old let Salah escape for an early chance but improved as the game went on. He was restricted in his forward forays. PA

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  Jarrod Bowen - 4. The 25-year-old had one chance but dallied on the ball and allowed Robertson to intervene. He limped off in the 53rd minute and was replaced by Benrahma. AP

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  Tomas Soucek - 7. The Czech made an impression in midfield and set up a fine chance for Lanzini. He was his team’s best performer. Reuters

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  Manuel Lanzini - 6. The Argentinian was impressive in possession but his performance will be remembered for a shocking miss. It looked easier to score but he put the ball over the bar. PA

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  Nikola Vlasic - 5. The Croat made some neat passes but never really threatened. He made way for Noble in the 61st minute. Reuters

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  Pablo Fornals - 5. The Spaniard’s control and decision making let him down when one-on-one with Allison and his meek chip was cleared off the line. He was taken off in stoppage time for Chesters. AP

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  Michail Antonio - 5. The 31-year-old started well and drew an early save from Alisson but he lost his way as the game went on and became less and less effective. Reuters

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  SUBS: Said Benrahma (Bowen 53') - 6. The Algerian replaced Bowen in the 53rd minute and made some good runs, mostly to no avail. He needed to see more of the ball. Reuters

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  Mark Noble (Vlasic 61') - 6. The 34-year-old joined the action in the 61st minute for Vlasic and provided a lovely ball for Antonio, who was unable to take advantage. AFP

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  Daniel Chesters (Fornals 90+3') - 5. The 19-year-old made his Premier League debut when he came on for Fornals in stoppage time. He will benefit from the experience. Getty Images

Sadio Mane's first-half goal eked out a 1-0 victory for Liverpool over West Ham United and narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City but Juergen Klopp's side could count themselves lucky to earn the points on Saturday.

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, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio all failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

The hosts dominated possession and also had numerous chances but there was relief at the final whistle.

Liverpool have 63 points behind Manchester City, who host Manchester United on Sunday, on 66 having also played 27 games. West Ham remain fifth, until Sunday at least, but their top-four challenge is fading.

Tony Evans provides the player ratings from Anfield in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.