Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo admits it is now “very, very difficult” for the club to win the Premier League title, but believes it is “not impossible”.
The Reds dropped two points on Saturday after drawing 2-2 with West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring for West Ham just before the interval, continuing Liverpool’s trend of conceding the first goal in matches this season.
Andy Robertson hit back shortly after halftime with an equaliser, before Alphonse Areola diverted the ball into his own to put the visitors ahead. However, Michail Antonio levelled matters in the 77th minute.
“The result was not what we wanted,” Gakpo told TNT Sports after the final whistle.
“We came for three points. We played a good game, we controlled the first half and then conceded. It is tough to come back but we scored two goals and then we needed to stay more calm and keep the ball. We needed to play and not concede, but we did.”
Jurgen Klopp encouraged his players to give their all at halftime, but as has been the case in recent weeks they fell short.
“We just have to go for it. We’ve done it a lot of times this season, bouncing back from a goal against. That was the message, just give it our all,” said Gakpo.
Liverpool spurned multiple chances throughout the game, scoring just twice from 28 shots on goal – a pattern that has plagued the team in the month of April.
“The ball is not going in,” Gakpo lamented. “That is a thing we’ve had to improve for a pretty long time now. If we knew why [it was happening] we’d solve the problem. I don’t know.”
The result leaves them third in the Premier League table and two points off leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand. Man City sit second in the standings, one point better off with two fewer games played.
“We’re in a very, very difficult position,” Gakpo admitted. “If Arsenal win it is five points and Man City have some games in hard. It is going to be difficult, not impossible, but very very difficult.”
