West Ham striker Michail Antonio issues public apology to Liverpool after ‘deluded’ prediction that his side would finish above them this season

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has apologised to Liverpool and their supporters for making a ‘wild’ prediction earlier in the season.

Antonio was bullish about his side’s chances ahead of their meeting with the Reds at Anfield back in September.

He not only claimed his side would beat Jurgen Klopp’s men on the day but also that they would go on to finish above them in the Premier League table. 

‘I am backing myself over Liverpool,’ he said on the Footballer’s Football Podcast at the time. 

‘You know what, I think we are going to finish higher than Liverpool this season. I’m putting it out there.

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has apologised to Liverpool and their supporters

‘I watched the game [Wolves vs Liverpool] because it was before our game and Wolves could have run away with it! They had quite a few opportunities. We’ve got them this weekend and it’s a six-pointer. We’ve got them!’

Antonio would live to regret his words, Liverpool winning the match 3-1 and going on to mount a serious title challenge.

The Merseyside outfit sit top of the table, 24 points clear of ninth-placed West Ham.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Footballer’s Football podcast, Antonio admitted he got it all wrong.

‘Before we move forwards I have got something to say,’ he said. ‘At the beginning of the season I said a comment.

‘It was a bit wild. It was very wild. I said that there was a possibility that West Ham could finish above Liverpool this year. I’m not going to lie, I said it was my chest.

‘They weren’t gelling at all together, I believed we were going to be sixth or seventh. There was so many stats about Klopp having seven or eight years and then having a blip, it was one of those things.

‘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.’