Liverpool moved to the top of the Barclays Premier League last night, but it was a bittersweet evening for Rafael Benítez, the manager, whose side were held to a third home goalless draw of the season, West Ham emulating the achievements of Stoke City in September and Fulham last month.
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The boos that rang out in a small section of the home support at Anfield at the final whistle last night spoke volumes about the outcome of a match that Liverpool know they should have won. Robert Green was in fine form in the West Ham goal, but ultimately the home team had only themselves to blame. The return of Fernando Torres, the Spain striker, who is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury, cannot come quickly enough.
"The crowd can be disappointed after a draw at home but surely if they wake up tomorrow, see the newspapers and see that we are top of the league [they will be happy]," Benítez, who revealed that he had still to sign a new contract, said.
"It's a question of keeping going. If you play bad and don't have chances, you can be worried, but today we were much better [than against Fulham]." West Ham set their stall out like a team happy to play for a point, perhaps not surprising, given that the East London club last won at Anfield 45 years ago. This was the first point they have claimed away to Liverpool in nine years, although if Luis Boa Morte had held his nerve at the death, they might even have won, but the midfield player shot woefully wide despite having a clear sight of goal.
Victory would have flattered West Ham, who needed a mixture of wonderful goalkeeping, stout defending and a little luck to keep Liverpool at bay, although Craig Bellamy, playing against his former club in his 200th Premier League appearance, hit a post with a 25-yard drive and Carlton Cole sent a header just wide.
Liverpool had two efforts cleared off the line and had three penalty appeals for handball, all against Hérita Ilunga, the West Ham left back, waved away in the first half. Green produced two reflex saves to deny Dirk Kuyt in the 43rd and 85th minutes, in between making the stop of the night in the 56th minute when he somehow tipped over Yossi Benayoun's blistering half-volley from 12 yards.
Without Torres, Liverpool lacked a cutting edge and Robbie Keane was substituted for the fourteenth time this season. "All the players want to play 90 minutes and if you're going to change things, he [Keane] isn't going to play," said Benítez, who denied rumours that he wants to sign Michael Owen, the former Liverpool striker, from Newcastle United in January. "Clearly, he'd like to play, but we were thinking about different solutions."
"They had chances, but we had chances as good as them," Zola, the West Ham manager, said. "It was a very well-deserved point. Green looks very confident and I'm pleased for him. He has had some stick, but he has got what he deserves."