Journo shares behind-the-scenes Michail Antonio detail after West Ham United loss to Liverpool
West Ham forward Michail Antonio was “sheepish” as he made his way past reporters after his side’s defeat to Liverpool, according to journalist Paul Gorst.
Antonio predicted in the build-up to Sunday’s [24 September] showdown that West Ham would come away from Anfield with victory and go on to finish above Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
The Hammers fell to a 3-1 defeat on Merseyside, however, and Antonio was ironically cheered as he made his way off the field in the second half after struggling to make an impact.
Antonio later declined the chance to speak to reporters in the mixed zone as he made his way out of the stadium.
Writing in an ‘unseen moments’ feature for the Liverpool Echo‘s online edition [25 September], Gorst said: “The smile was a wry one from Michail Antonio as he made his way through the post-match mixed zone area on Sunday afternoon.
“Antonio made his way past the assembled press after the game and offered little more than a knowing smile and a bowed head as he declined the opportunity for a post-match chat with any of the reporters gathered.
“Having made the surprise claims on his podcast, Antonio was far more sheepish at full time after his bold proclamations had fallen flat.”
Back up your words
Antonio’s comments last week were bold to say the least.
Being optimistic is one thing, but there was always a strong chance these comments would come back to haunt him – and so it proved.
The Jamaica international jointly-hosts a popular podcast, meaning he is pretty much in the headlines every week with various proclamations.
You really cannot blame Antonio for keeping his head down and leaving Anfield without speaking to the assembled press after his latest comments.
At the same time, when you make claims as bold as this, you quite simply have to justify it or risk being ridiculed.
The only way he will avoid any further mocking by Liverpool fans is by helping United finish above them in the league this season.
That really would be quite something, but on the basis of this weekend, there is still a big gap between the two clubs.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers’ future looks as bright as ever after an announcement made late last week.