Liverpool held to goalless draw by West Ham as Christian Benteke struggles continue
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Updated 30/01/2016 at 23:23 GMT
FA Cup fourth round, Anfield – Liverpool 0 West Ham United 0.
West Ham's Pedro Mba Obiang in action against Liverpool's Christian Benteke
Image credit: Reuters
Christian Benteke had a day to forget as an under-strength Liverpool side drew 0-0 with West Ham United to force a replay.
The Belgian striker missed a string of chances as he extended his run without a goal to nine matches.
Benteke was guilty of poor finishing but also an inspired performance by goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who was playing after Adrian was given permission to return home for the birth of his child.
The Reds, who made ten changes to the side that beat Stoke City on penalties in midweek, were fortunate to escape with a replay after Michail Antonio hit the woodwork in stoppage time.
Slaven Bilic’s men will also feel they should have been awarded a penalty after Brad Smith and Steven Caulker appeared to handle the ball in separate incidents.
The replay at Upton Park is set to take place on February 9th.
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West Ham's Nikica Jelavic in action against Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne and Steven Caulker
Image credit: Reuters
KEY MOMENTS
9’ – PAYET EFFORT: Payet with the long-range free-kick which curls just wide of Mignolet's near post when everyone was expecting a cross.
15’ – VALENCIA MISS: What a miss! Cresswell sends in a delicious first time cross from the left, Valencia is unmarked and he gets his diving header all wrong.
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West Ham United's Enner Valencia
Image credit: Reuters
22’ -BENTEKE CHANCE: The corner is a good ones and it is Benteke with a glancing header which is cleared off the line at the back post.
34’ – RANDOLPH SAVE: Randolph with a good save to palm away Teixeira's 25-yard drive.
45’ – OBIANG VOLLEY: O'Brien sends in a good ball which is headed clear and Obiang lashes in a volley from around 20 yards that goes just wide.
49’ – MIGNOLET SAVE: Liverpool are penalised for a push and it is a free-kick near the corner flag. Payet's delivery is swung in and Reid's shot on the turn is saved by Mignolet from a yard out.
58’ – ALLEN CHANCE: Allen blazes the ball over from the edge of the box from Clyne's cut back, he should have found the target from there.
62’ – RANDOLPH STOP: A fine save from Randolph to tip away Teixeira's fierce effort from the edge of the box from Smith's cut back.
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West Ham's Pedro Mba Obiang in action against Liverpool's Joao Carlos Teixeira
Image credit: Reuters
67’ – BENTEKE MISS: The Reds have a free-kick which Brannagan takes, the ball is fired back in by Stewart and falls to Benteke who cannot find the target from six yards out after sticking out his boot.
72’ – TRIPLE SAVE: Randolph saves from Benteke and Allen before palming away the Belgian’s rebound.
90’+1 - WOODWORK! Antonio hits the base of the post with a header after Liverpool switch off.
KEY STATS
Christian Benteke has not scored since December 30th.
West Ham have lost just one in their last 12 matches in all competitions.
The Hammers are unbeaten in three matches against the Reds.
TALKING POINT
Did Jurgen Klopp get his team selection right? On the one hand Liverpool had 120 minutes against Stoke City in mid-week so needed to freshen up their team. But with so many youngsters fielded there was a lack of quality which means yet another game for Klopp’s men. Add to that their Europa League campaign and the League Cup run to the final, the Reds are certainly not making things easy for themselves in juggling four competitions.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Darren Randolph (West Ham United): The Irishman was first class after being called up in place of Adrian. He was not lacking confidence and made a string of fine stops including a triple save in the second half.
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Liverpool's Welsh midfielder Joe Allen (Top) has his shot blocked by West Ham United's Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England
Image credit: AFP
PLAYER RATINGS
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 6, Clyne 7, Caulker 5, Lovren 4, Smith 5, Stewart 5, Allen 5, Brannagan 5, Ibe 5, Teixeira 6, Benteke 5.Subs: Ojo 5, Sinclair 5, Enrique 4.
WEST HAM: Randolph 9, Tomkins 6, Reid 8, Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 5, Obiang 5, Song 5, Kouyate 5, Moses 5, Payet 6, Valencia 5. Subs: O’Brien 5, Jelavic 4, Antonio 5.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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