Liverpool moved back to within three points of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a tight 1-0 win over West Ham at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were certainly not at their free-flowing best, but took the lead in the first-half through Sadio Mane.
West Ham missed massive chances to equalise, with Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini both fluffing their lines, as Liverpool held on despite a number of scares to keep the pressure on City, who play Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool made a rapid start and very nearly took the lead with little over a minute played. Trent Alexander-Arnold clipped a quick free-kick through to Mohamed Salah and the Egyptian was in behind the West Ham defence, but Lukasz Fabianski did well to deny him.
Despite looking vulnerable early on, West Ham grew into the match and offered a real threat on the break, particularly through Michail Antonio, as Liverpool’s high line offered up opportunities.
However, the visitors fell behind just before the half hour mark. Alexander-Arnold drilled the ball towards the far post from the edge of the box, Fabianski threatened to come for it only to then pull out and that allowed Mane a simple finish.
With just over five minutes to go, Pablo Fornals was put clean through on goal with only Alisson to beat. His weak lob beat the goalkeeper but it allowed Alexander-Arnold to get back and clear it off the line. Fornals was then denied from the rebound, before Nikola Vlasic went round Alisson and had his shot deflected as David Moyes looked on in dismay.
The Hammers had ten shots in the first-half - no side has had more in the first 45 minutes against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League since Klopp took over.
Potentially the most concern aspect of the night for West Ham came shortly after the break, when Jarrod Bowen limped off injured. The ever-present winger now looks to be a doubt for the trip to Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday.
West Ham wasted another huge chance to equalise with 20 minutes. This time Manuel Lanzini was the guilty party after a great cross from Tomas Soucek, showing great composure initially and then lifting his effort over the bar from six yards out when he looked certain to score.
Mark Noble played a stunning pass to set Antonio away and he cut inside past Andy Robertson into the box, but Naby Keita got back really well to stop the shot from troubling Alisson.
That was to be the final chance the visitors got, as West Ham were to reflect on what could have been had they turned up at Anfield with a more ruthless touch.
