Antonio predicted in the build-up to Sunday’s [24 September] match that West Ham will win at Anfield and finish above Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
Antonio later denied the opportunity to meet with media in the mixed zone as he exited the stadium.
“The smile was a wry one from Michail Antonio as he made his way through the post-match mixed zone area on Sunday afternoon,” Gorst wrote in a ‘unseen moments’ piece for the Liverpool Echo’s online edition [25 September].
“After the game, Antonio made his way past the assembled press, offering 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 present.”
Antonio was significantly more contrite at full time after his big proclamations had fallen flat after making the stunning claims on his podcast.”
Back up your claims.
Antonio’s remarks last week were, to say the least, audacious.
Being optimistic is one thing, but there was always a danger that his remarks might come back to haunt him – and they did.
The Jamaica international co-hosts a popular podcast, which means he is in the news almost every week with varied pronouncements.
After his latest statements, you can’t blame Antonio for keeping his head down and leaving Anfield without speaking to the assembled reporters.
At the same time, when making such strong assertions, you must simply justify them or risk being ridiculed.
The only way he can prevent additional mockery from Liverpool fans is for United to finish above them in the league this season.
That would be incredible, but based on this weekend, there is still a significant difference between the two clubs.
In other West Ham United news, the club’s future appears to be as bright as ever following a statement made late last week.
