David Moyes, the forward for West Ham, has expressed regret to Liverpool and its supporters for his “wild” prediction earlier in the season that the Hammers would finish ahead of them.
Following his 3-1 loss at Anfield in September, when he had backed West Ham to defeat Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, the 33-year-old was subjected to a great deal of vitriol from Liverpool supporters.
Antonio doubled down last month, saying he didn’t want Liverpool to win the Premier League this season in response to persistent online harassment from supporters. However, he has since apologized.
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Speaking on Thursday, February 22, on the BBC’s Footballers’ Football podcast, he stated: “I made a comment at the start of the season. It was a little crazy. It was so crazy.
“I hinted that West Ham would surpass Liverpool in the standings this year. I said it with my chest, and I won’t lie.
They were not settling in at all, and I thought we would finish sixth or seventh. Numerous statistics suggested that Klopp would play for seven or eight years before experiencing a setback.
“I was obviously deluded at the time. So I am going to have to hand out a public apology to the Liverpool fans and the Liverpool players. I take it back.”
At one point in the season, Antonio’s claim would not have been so outlandish as it looks right now, but so much can change so quickly in football.
Liverpool, on the other hand, is four points ahead of Manchester City, the reigning Premier League winners, and is leading the division. This season, that has been the main distinction between the two teams.
The Jamaican international should have learned his lesson from this incident with the Liverpool supporters, who have the power to win the league and give Antonio even more reason to be angry.
In unrelated West Ham news, a BBC Sport executive has revealed the latest Moyes dismissal decision.
