Gravenberch the bright spark: Player ratings as Reds lose further ground in title race

Liverpool lost further ground in the title race with a 2-2 draw against West Ham United at the London Stadium in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.

In a flat first half, Jarrod Bowen gave the Hammers an unexpected lead with a well-timed header via a quickly taken corner in the 43rd minute.

Jurgen Klopp’s side then found renewed energy after the break and found themselves in the lead after 20 minutes through a snapshot from Andrew Robertson in the 48th minute, then an Alphonse Areola own goal after Cody Gakpo’s triple-deflected shot inside the penalty area.

However, there was to be another twist in the tale when Michail Antonio’s powerful header levelled the scores again with 15 minutes left to go.

Here are your player ratings…

Alisson (GK): 8

Made three important saves in the first half. First, he got down well to hold a dangerous strike from Bowen from the edge of the box. Then, he showed safe hands again to catch Vladimir Coufal’s deflected shot after half an hour. The best was the third, getting down quickly to flick Bowen’s deflected shot out for a corner. However, it was from that very corner that Bowen gave the Hammers the lead. While the Brazilian got a hand to it, there was little he could have done to stop it. Had little to do in the second half, besides misjudging a cross, then making up for it immediately with an excellent save from Emerson’s volley. Could do nothing to stop Antonio’s header.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): 6

Tried to be too clever early on and squandered a promising three-on-three with a poor pass. Drew a comfortable save from Areola with a powerful shot midway through the first half and further stretched the Frenchman with a dipping drive in the 57th minute. Overall, didn’t have the impact on the game he would have liked.

Jarell Quansah (CB): 7

A deserving starter after Ibrahima Konate’s poor showing in the Merseyside derby, and stood up well in his battle with Antonio until the forward peeled off him to make it 2-2 with a relatively free header.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 6

Was a bit slow to close down in the first half, deflecting two shots to cause his own goalkeeper problems. Didn't get on the ball often enough to showcase his long passing abilities.

Andrew Robertson (LB): 8

After a lowkey first half, the Scotland captain popped up in the 48th minute with an equaliser practically out of nowhere, squeezing the ball through a crowd with little backlift in off the post. His energy up and down the left flank in the second half, in particular, gave his side a much-needed lift.

Wataru Endo (DM): 5

Had a big battle on his hands against Lucas Paqueta and was mostly forced onto the back foot, defending too deep at times. Was mostly ineffective and it was no surprise he was withdrawn.

Alexis Mac Allister (CM): 7

Was rattled by a nasty tackle by Paqueta in the opening exchanges which perhaps ought to have earned the Brazilian a red card. Was much better in the second half but should have scored with his close-range header when Alexander-Arnold picked him out in the middle of the box.

Ryan Gravenberch (CM): 8

One of Liverpool's best players on the day. Had the first chance of the game with his back-post volley going wide. Was perhaps guilty of being a bit too intricate in the first half, but was nonetheless one of the Reds’ brighter sparks. Was unlucky with his volley at the start of the second half, generating massive power but not quite the accuracy. Could have given the Reds the lead with a flick moments later but couldn’t quite get the right contact.

Harvey Elliott (RW): 7

Might have done better when he fired an early volley into the side netting at the back post. Almost played his side into trouble moments later when his blind pass into midfield gifted Bowen an opportunity from distance. Desperately unlucky to hit the crossbar in the final minute.

Cody Gakpo (ST): 6

After his impressive performance at Fulham off the left wing, Gakpo found himself down the middle again today and was often crowded out. His sloppy marking allowed Bowen too much space in the box to head home the opening goal, but he somewhat made amends in the second half as he somehow forced the goal that made it 2-1 via three deflections.

Luis Diaz (LW): 7

Was unfortunate to be called marginally offside as it looked like Liverpool had earned a penalty for at least two offences in box. Struck the base of the post in the 40th minute in what was the highlight of a low-key first half. Good energy as ever, taking the fight to the Hammers in moments when it appeared there was little appetite from his teammates. However, he missed two key chances in the second half to kill the game, calling his finishing ability into question once again.

Substitutes

Mohamed Salah (Endo, 78’): 6

Almost laid one on a plate for Darwin moments after coming on, but for superb defending from Coufal. He then went on an amazing run from his own half, but the final pass to Darwin was behind the Uruguayan.

Darwin Nunez (Diaz, 78’): 5

Barely touched the ball after coming on.

Joe Gomez (Alexander-Arnold, 78’): 6

Showed good urgency but it didn't lead to anything.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Quansah, 90+1’): N/A

No time to make any impact.