Liverpool 1-0 West Ham result from Anfield: Mane winner closes gap on Manchester City

Sadio Mane's first half goal gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over West Ham as Jurgen Klopp's team closed the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League to just three points.

Liverpool played the majority of the match within themselves, but found the back of the net after 27 minutes when Mane reacted quickest to a Trent Alexander-Arnold shot, converting from close range.

Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini all had golden opportunities to equalise, but lacked composure in front of goal as Liverpool kept a clean sheet despite some defensive vulnerabilities. 

The pressure now shifts on to Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side who host Manchester United in Sunday's Manchester derby.

MORE: Liverpool injury news: Latest updates

Liverpool vs. West Ham final score   1H 2H Final Liverpool 1 1 1 West Ham 0 0 0

Goals: Mane 27' 

Liverpool vs. West Ham as-it-happened

(All times Eastern)

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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2022

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham - Mane's goal gives Liverpool all three points as Klopp's team close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table to just three points. West Ham had chances, though. They will surely be disappointed to have left Anfield with nothing.

90+5 mins: Jones ON, Diaz OFF - Diaz has arguably been the best player on the pitch for Liverpool. He is withdrawn with seconds remaining.

90+4 mins: Chesters ON, Fornals OFF - One final roll of the dice by Moyes who hands a Premier League debut to Chesters!

90+3 mins: Johnson gets up from the back to provide support, but the final product is poor from the West Ham right back and that might be the last chance the visitors get to snatch something from this match.

90+1 mins: There will be FIVE minutes of stoppage time played at the end of the match. There's still time for West Ham!

90th min: Milner ON, Keita OFF - Liverpool are edging closer and closer to an important three points and Milner has now been introduced to see this one out for the home team.

89th min: BOOKING! Jota is shown a yellow card for pulling back Lanzini as West Ham attempted to break out on the counter!

88nd min: End-to-end stuff as Alisson punches clear a Cresswell delivery into the box before Liverpool hit out on the counter attack with Jota prevented from finding Diaz and Mane in the middle.

86th min: There is certainly a nervousness around Anfield as this match comes to a close. Liverpool are living dangerously with West Ham pressing forward in the search of a late equaliser. You wouldn't bet against them getting one!

83rd min: Jota ON, Salah OFF - Klopp makes his first change of the match and Salah doesn't look too happy to be coming off!

82nd min: ANTONIO WAS THROUGH! Liverpool's high line was exposed by a Noble pass through to Antonio, but Keita gets back to make the challenge on the West Ham forward inside the box.

81st min: This was the chance Lanzini should have converted for West Ham...

West Ham with an excellent chance to level the match but Lanzini sends his shot well over the crossbar.

Liverpool lead 1-0.

????: @NBC, @NBCUniverso, & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/gUUR8yAi70

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 5, 2022

78th min: Once again it's Diaz who tries to make something happen for Liverpool. He slotted a cute pass through to Salah, but the Egyptian's first touch let him down and the clearance is made.

75th min: Diaz shifts the ball on to his right foot 20 yards out, but his effort flashes over the crossbar. The Colombian winger has looked like Liverpool's best bet of scoring a second goal.

71st min: Liverpool are living dangerously here. Yes, they have been the better of the two teams, but West Ham are still in the game and have had the chances to find the back of the net. Liverpool might need a second goal!

69th min: OVER THE BAR! What a golden opportunity for West Ham to grab an equaliser! Soucek found Lanzini inside the box with a cross, he lost Alexander-Arnold and had a chance to shoot from six yards out, but he somehow sent his effort over the target!

64th min: DIAZ... just wide! That wasn't far away from being Liverpool's second of the match with Diaz getting the right-footed shot away on goal from the edge of the box. It flashes just wide!

63rd min: West Ham will be hoping Bowen's injury isn't a serious one. He has been so important for them this season. It would also be cruel if this injury denies Bowen from getting a call-up to the England squad.

Jarrod Bowen has played in 79 consecutive Premier League games for West Ham without missing a single one, the longest streak in the club's history.

With that injury, it might be over. ???? pic.twitter.com/O4MaiNHS8w

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 5, 2022

61st min: Noble ON, Vlasic OFF - A second change is made by Moyes. Is he looking for more control in the centre of the pitch through the introduction of Noble?

56th min: Mane's goal remains the difference between the two teams...

5️⃣ goals in his last 5️⃣ @PremierLeague outings!

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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2022

54th min: Benrahma ON, Bowen OFF - There's the expected change and Benrahma is now on the right side of the West Ham attack.

52nd min: BOWEN INJURY! This is a blow for West Ham. Bowen is walking gingerly after a challenge and it looks like he will be coming off. Benrahma is getting ready to be introduced off the bench.

50th min: Liverpool's high line gave some encouragement to West Ham in the first half. Antonio gave Konate some trouble and Fornals had a shot cleared off the line. Can the visitors make more of that in the second period?

46th min: Back under way! The second half has started at Anfield with Liverpool holding a 1-0 lead over West Ham. No changes made by either manager at the break.

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham - Mane's goal is the difference between the two teams at the break, but West Ham can be encouraged by how many chances they have created. Liverpool have been the better team, but this one is far from over.

42nd min: What a goal this would have been!

This run by Luis Diaz. ????

????: @nbc, @NBCUniverso, & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/6Fx4YQjDbh

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 5, 2022

39th min: OFF THE LINE AGAIN! Fornals was played clean through on goal, he was onside, he chipped Alisson, but Alexander-Arnold got back to make the clearance off the line! Then Alisson made the stop from the rebound. Liverpool were exposed at the back!

38th min: OFF THE LINE! Alexander-Arnold was played through by Fabinho, his cross was diverted towards goal by Diaz, but the ball was cleared off the line! Diaz looks very dangerous. Surely he's going to find the net at some point today!

36th min: He is an assists machine...

Most assists provided by Trent Alexander-Arnold in a single season:

◎ 2018/19: 15◎ 2019/20: 15◉ 2021/22: 16

Incredible numbers and new PB for T????️????️ pic.twitter.com/8hkqbImYZ6

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 5, 2022

32nd min: Alexander-Arnold takes the freekick on the edge of the West Ham box, Fabianski was rooted to the spot, but the ball flashes just past the far post. Liverpool are in control of this match at the moment and are searching for a second goal.

31st min: BOOKING! Dawson is shown a yellow card for trying to bring down Diaz. Zouma succeeded in bringing him down right on the edge of the box after a tremendous run by the Colombian winger from his own half. Incredible skill! Diaz gives Liverpool another dimension.

28th min: IT'S ONSIDE! The goal stands and Liverpool have the lead after 27 minutes of this Premier League fixture.

Trent Alexander-Arnold with the perfect assist for Sadio Mane!

Liverpool lead 1-0.????: @nbc, @NBCUniverso, & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/O4eMucwj1T

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 5, 2022

27th min: GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham (Mane 27') - Alexander-Arnold might have been shooting from the edge of the box, but the ball fell into the path of Mane who was following in and he finishes into the back of the empty net. Was he onside, though?

26th min: Liverpool certainly seem to be playing their best football down the left side. That's where the most space can be found, although the hosts are also trying their best to create some passing triangles down the right.

22nd min: Alisson has to deny Antonio once again. The West Ham attacker did really well to take down a long ball and then run at the Liverpool defence. Konate didn't look too sure of how to deal with Antonio. That could be an individual battle to watch!

20th min: Space opened up for Mane on the edge of the West Ham box, but he was off-balance and sliced his effort well wide of the target.

18th min: Soucek does well to control a clearance on the edge of the box and volley towards the Liverpool goal, but Alisson watched it all the way, got down quickly and made the straightforward save. West Ham are posing more of a threat now.

14th min: Antonio shoots! The West Ham forward got in behind the Liverpool defence for the first time and unleashed a powerful strike towards goal, but Alisson pushed it up and over his crossbar.

12th min: Diaz! Then Salah! A wonderful first touch from Diaz inside the box sets him up for the shot. Dawson makes the block, but the ball falls to Salah - he screws his effort wide of the target.

11th min: West Ham have settled slightly since the opening exchanges, but Liverpool are still on top at the moment. They are the ones with the majority of possession. The hosts are dictating things.

7th min: There were touching scenes at Anfield before kick off...

Anfield stands together, singing "You'll Never Walk Alone." #LIVWHU // #MyPLMorning???? : @nbc , @NBCUniverso , @peacockTV???? : https://t.co/8koa6jrYko pic.twitter.com/SPf1yn1lCN

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 5, 2022

4th min: Liverpool are well on top in the early stages of this match. This time Salah is just about dealt with inside the box, but West Ham look vulnerable to anything that comes through the centre.

2nd min: SALAH IS DENIED! What a chance for Liverpool early on! The quick freekick caught out the West Ham defence, Salah was through, but Fabianski made the stop with his legs! That could have been 1-0!

KICK-OFF: We are under way at Anfield! Liverpool are shooting towards the Anfield Road end of the stadium.

12:28pm: Ok, here we go! 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rings around Anfield as the two teams prepare to kick off. There will be a moment's reflection for the victims of the Ukraine invasion before the match starts.

12:25pm: How can West Ham stop Salah? This is a player who has scored 19 goals in just 24 Premier League appearances this season. Is he the best player in the world right now? There's certainly a strong argument to support that belief!

Setting up for #LIVWHU ???? pic.twitter.com/B5H671SrXg

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2022

12:15pm: Moyes has confirmed Rice is missing through illness. However, the West Ham manager believes his team can cope without the England international. He points out how the Hammers coped without Rice for a spell last season.

12:05pm: Klopp insists he isn't thinking about Manchester City's game against Manchester United tomorrow and how Liverpool can apply some pressure with a win today, but it's surely a factor. A big opportunity for the Reds.

12:00pm: As far as Liverpool are concerned, it's all about the title race. In mid-January, City held a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League. A victory for Liverpool here would narrow the gap to just three points.

11.50am: Klopp has favoured Diaz over Jota in attack. The Colombian winger has hit the ground running since joining Liverpool from Porto in the January transfer window. Diaz has slotted in comfortably.

11:45am: The absence of Rice in the centre of the West Ham midfield is a significant blow to Moyes. Liverpool will now surely fancy their chances of dominating the middle of the pitch. Naby Keita is fit enough to start for the hosts.

11:40am: No sign of Declan Rice in the West Ham squad!

???? Our XI to face Liverpool this afternoon looks like this...

COME ON YOU IRONS! ⚒@betway | #LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/CMXsgeM9In

— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 5, 2022

11.35am: Luis Diaz starts for Liverpool again!

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Here's how we line up to face West Ham today ????

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2022

11.30am: Liverpool have won their last eight league games at home. On top of this, they have kept a clean sheet in six home matches over the same stretch. Klopp's team have made Anfield a fortress! 

11:20am: West Ham suffered a 3-1 defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup during the week, but should still be relatively fresh given they rested a number of key players in that match.

11:15am: Anfield is looking resplendent in the Merseyside sunshine! Perfect weather for a football match between two high-quality teams!

The scene is set ahead of #LIVWHU ???? pic.twitter.com/oapW8fCZhU

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2022

11:05am: Liverpool enter this match in sensational form. They have won their last 11 matches in all competitions, a streak that includes last weekend's Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea. The Reds are in good shape!

10:55am: There's plenty on the line for both teams. Liverpool are looking to narrow the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table to just three points while West Ham need points to boost their chances of finishing in the top four.

10:45am: A reminder that West Ham have already beaten Liverpool this season on November 21 at the London Stadium. An Alisson Becker own goal and goals by Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma gave the Hammers a 3-2 win.

West Ham were the first team to beat Liverpool this season and remain one of only two teams to do so.

Tough game today, but time for revenge ???? pic.twitter.com/Lz90Hg3nDl

— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) March 5, 2022

10:30am: Good morning and welcome to Sporting News' live coverage of the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and West Ham. We'll bring you all the build-up to kick-off at Anfield including team news when it is released.