West Ham vs Liverpool: Was Andre Ayew's miss the worst in Premier League history?

The Ghanaian hit the post twice from two yards out on the cusp of half time

Andre Ayew hit the ball against the upright twice in quick succession (Getty)

Liverpool eventually ran out 4-0 winners over West Ham United to boost their hopes of a top-four finish, but it could have been so different had Andre Ayew not produced one of the misses of the season.

With the score at 1-0 and on the cusp of half-time, the Ghanaian was presented with a brilliant opportunity to equalise after Jurgen Klopp's side had sloppily defended a corner.

Ayew brought the ball down at the far post, approximately two yards out from goal, then fired, but somehow managed to strike the post. The rebound fell kindly to him but he hit the upright once again before Simon Mignolet smothered the loose ball.

It could have been a turning point in not only the match but this year's race for Champions League qualification, yet Liverpool's lax defending went unpunished.

How does Ayew's miss compare to some of the other most famous misses in Premier League history?

Ronny Rosenthal

Aston Villa vs Liverpool, September 1992

The go-to example of a truly dreadful Premier League miss, coming in only the second month of the division's existence.

Rosenthal has the whole of the goal to aim at after rounding Villa's goalkeeper and shoots from the dead centre of the penalty area, but instead of placing his effort, he hits it high and somehow contrives to hit the crossbar.

The Israeli international went on to have an unremarkable career at Anfield before also turning up at Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, but this miss at least assured him of a place in English football folklore

Fernando Torres

Chelsea vs Manchester United, September 2011

Fernando Torres cut something of a forlorn figure throughout his spell at Chelsea, but his nadir was perhaps missing a open goal at Old Trafford, much to the Stretford End's amusement.

With his side 3-1 down in the 83rd minute, the former Liverpool striker rounded compatriot David de Gea after being neatly slipped through on goal.

A simple finish was required, but Torres instead shanked the ball wide of the left-hand post and into the stands. He collapsed to the floor, head in his hands, and his Stamford Bridge career never really recovered.

Nwankwo Kanu

West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough, November 2004

​Nwankwo Kanu probably looks back on his career in English football with great fondness, but there is one moment in particular that he must wish he could forget.

2-1 down, last minute, a yard or two out from goal. A point would have come in handy for Bryan Robson's relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion, but they were not about to steal one.

Instead of converting the glorious opportunity, the Nigerian striker somehow lifted the ball over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Sheffield United vs Manchester United, November 2006

One of the greatest footballers of all time he may be, but he is not immune from missing the odd sitter. Indeed, Cristiano Ronaldo spurned two glorious opportunities in one game against Neil Warnock's Sheffield United back in 2006.

The first was forgivable. The United winger made a hash of a chance from around five yards out, ballooning wide after the ball had unexpectedly fallen to him.

The second, however, was much harder to defend. Ryan Giggs' square pass put it on a plate for Ronaldo, but from point blank range he looped the effort over.