Liverpool’s Mane secures jittery win over West Ham

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane’s firsthalf goal eked out a 1-0 victory over West Ham United and narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City but Jurgen Klopp’s side could count themselves lucky to earn maximum points on Saturday.

Mane’s close-range strike after 27 minutes proved enough for secondplaced Liverpool to get within three points of City, but West Ham will rue squandering several gilt-edged chances.

Liverpool was far from its dominant selves as it claimed a seventh successive league win but was 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 has 63 points behind Manchester City, who hosts Manchester United on Sunday, on 66 having also played 27 games.

West Ham remains fifth on 45 points, until Sunday at least, but its top-four challenge is fading. “I don’t know if we will remember this game as one of the most important ones because it was a really tricky fixture in the first place,” Liverpool manager Klopp said.