Liverpool are denied a clear goalscoring opportunity against West Ham as Reds fans fume at 'absolute howler' by referee Anthony Taylor in 2-2 draw

Liverpool were denied a clear opportunity to score a late goal against West Ham after a controversial refereeing decision. 

The Reds' title hopes took yet another dent as there were held to a 2-2 draw by David Moyes' men at the London Stadium. 

Jarrod Bowen and Andy Robertson traded goals either side of the break before Alphonse Areola appeared to have set the Reds on course for an important win to keep up the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City. 

However, Michail Antonio equalised 13 minutes from time to deprive the visitors of two important points as they went back to Anfield with just the one - although the game was not without it's controversial moments.  

With four minutes remaining on the clock, Hammers goalkeeper Areola fell to the ground after collecting the ball from a cross into the box. 

He took his time to get back to his feet and referee Anthony Taylor waved play on and did not blow the whistle. 

Areola then rolled the ball out and Cody Gakpo ran towards the French goalkeeper in an attempt to pass the ball into an empty net. 

But Taylor blew his whistle with no explanation and stopped the Dutchman from potentially giving Liverpool the lead late on. 

According to talkSPORT, the decision came as Taylor was playing an advantage on the foul on Areola. 

The keeper's decision to call for medical aid brought an end to the advantage, which came about just before Gakpo reached the ball, therefore brining an end to 'open play' prior to the forward getting a clear goal-scoring chance.  

Liverpool fans took to social media to make their feelings known, with one saying: 'ANOTHER game where the official costs us points with another ABSOLUTE howler. I’m fine with Forest calling them out, I’m sorry'. 

Another wrote on X: 'This might be one of the most bizarre officiating decisions I’ve ever seen'.

'Shock horror another horrible decision against Liverpool', said a third fan. 

Another account wrote: 'This is atrocious refereeing from Taylor. There is absolutely no reason to blow that whistle.' 

It was just one of two controversial decisions made by Taylor after he failed to penalise Lucas Paqueta earlier in the match. 

The Brazilian caught Alexis Mac Allister with a studs up challenge inside six minutes and was not booked or sent off. 

Taylor was the official during the controversial clash last weekend between Everton and Nottingham Forest, with the latter feeling aggrieved at not being awarded three penalties. 

Forest tweeted afterwards that they had warned PGMOL that VAR on that day Stuart Attwell is a Luton fan. That suggestion of bias led to an FA investigation. 

Saturday's result has seen Jurgen Klopp's side remain behind Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of their matches on Sunday. 

The Reds fell behind through Jarrod Bowen's header on the stroke of half-time before Andy Robertson levelled the scoring three minutes after the break. 

Klopp's men turned the game on it's head thanks to an own-goal by Areola. Michail Anotnio ensured the spoils were shared with a header after 77 minutes.