Match ends, Liverpool 2, West Bromwich Albion 1.
LiverpoolLiverpool2West BromWest Bromwich Albion1
Liverpool secured a deserved victory over West Brom but conceded a late goal to miss out on going top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp's team dominated at Anfield and took the lead as Sadio Mane steered in Roberto Firmino's dinked cross.
Philippe Coutinho added a second when he picked up the ball from Mane, cut inside Baggies defender Gareth McAuley and shot into the bottom corner.
A two-goal victory would have taken Liverpool top, but McAuley denied them first place when he smashed in a late goal after the hosts failed to clear a corner.
Nevertheless, the victory extended their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions to leave them second in the Premier League table, behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference.
Liverpool do not miss dropped Sturridge
Liverpool have scored 20 times in the Premier League this season - more than anyone else - despite England international Daniel Sturridge failing to score in his seven league outings.
He did not feature as he was dropped to the substitutes' bench at Anfield, but was not missed as his side dominated, having 21 shots on goal and 68% of possession.
Liverpool had further chances but Adam Lallana, recalled in place of Sturridge, curled over the bar and James Milner also headed off target.
The Baggies had goalkeeper Ben Foster to thank for keeping them in the game in the second half as he acrobatically pushed away Dejan Lovren's header and also did well to save a Roberto Firmino effort.
West Brom create little but make Liverpool panic
But Liverpool failed to kill off the game and West Brom looked for an improbable equaliser despite previously having little of the ball and creating few chances.
Tony Pulis's side had to wait until the 70th minute to have a shot when Nacer Chadli curled an effort over the top and McAuley's late goal came from their only attempt on target.
Substitute Hal Robson-Kanu had a late opportunity, but his shot was blocked by Dejan Lovren. Anything other than a Liverpool victory would have been a injustice.
West Brom have only scored 10 goals in nine Premier League matches, with Saido Berahino a constant issue for Pulis.
The 23-year-old striker, who got 20 goals in all competitions back in 2014-15, has only netted one Premier League goal in 2016 and been placed on a fitness programme after being "eight pounds over his ideal weight".
Yet again, he was not included in West Brom's 18-man squad, but they need their striker back fit with the right attitude quickly. Salomon Rondon struggled to get in the game and Robson-Kanu is yet to score since joining the Baggies in September.
Can Liverpool last the pace in the Premier League title race?
Jurgen Klopp has been in charge of Liverpool for just over a year and created an attacking side that is pleasing on the eye and a squad that could challenge for the Premier League title.
They only finished eighth last season, but do not have the distraction of European football this year and have made a fantastic start, despite a tough run of games.
In their nine league matches in 2016-17, they have played four of the current top seven - Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United - as well as defending champions Leicester.
They now have what appears to be, on paper at least, a favourable run of fixtures, with their next seven matches against sides all outside of the top seven.
One major concern for Klopp would be their inability to kill off this game, and the late goal they conceded means they have have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games.
Man of the match - Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
The stats you need to know
- Liverpool are unbeaten in 12 home Premier League games (won seven, drawn five), their longest run since a sequence of 14 in April 2014.
- Since Jurgen Klopp's first game in charge, there have been more Premier League goals netted in games involving Liverpool than any other team (126 - 75 for, 51 against).
- Roberto Firmino has had a hand in 17 Premier League goals (12 goals, five assists) in 2016; more than any other Liverpool player.
- Sadio Mane has both scored and assisted in two of his four Premier League appearances at Anfield this season.
- 70% of West Brom's Premier League goals this season have come via set-pieces (including penalties) - seven of 10 goals.
- Indeed, West Brom have scored more Premier League goals from corners this season than any other team (five).
- Gareth McAuley is the only West Brom defender to hit double figures for Premier League goals (11).
What they said
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "I am happy with the performance of my team. It is difficult against West Brom, so many balls in the air and they are so dangerous from set pieces.
"It would have been a joke if we had drawn today, it was unbelievable how we played. It was a good performance against a team like this. They were here to get something, but we never let them back into the game.
"Their corners kicks are so good, I had a feeling that 15 players in white kit were in the box. It was a big, big challenge to stay cool, stay concentrated. It is a really nice team I am really happy to have these boys around."
West Brom boss Tony Pulis: "In the first half we were OK, just two poor mistakes. It is quality at times when we get the ball, to get in their final third.
"In the second half we had a go, it opened up at our end and Ben made some wonderful saves. We made changes, freshened it up and caused them problems.
"You know if you get a goal it puts them on the back foot and it is a shame it didn't come earlier.
"We lack certain qualities we are looking for. The squad has improved, they have faults and we accept that but they worked hard today."
Analysis
Former England and Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy on Match of the Day: "Coutinho is the jewel in the crown for Liverpool. He is special in so many ways, now he is adding that end product.
"He has scored four (league) goals this season, he only scored eight last season. He's playing with confidence and his decision making is much better than it was before.
"He's dictating games, he's frightening the opposition. His performance was absolutely magnificent. Long may it continue."
Former Middlesbrough and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer on Match of the Day: "Liverpool's defending from set pieces is one of their Achilles' heels. They are playing with a zonal marking system and as a player I hated it.
"They do not have players on the posts at corners and it just makes it more difficult. As a goalkeeper, you feel more exposed."
What's next?
Liverpool are back in action on Tuesday when they entertain Tottenham in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, before they play away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League next Saturday.
For West Brom, they have a week without a match before taking on Manchester City at home in the Premier League on Saturday, 29 October.
Line-ups
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Karius
- 2Clyne
- 32Matip
- 6Lovren
- 7Milner
- 20LallanaSubstituted forWijnaldumat 79'minutes
- 14HendersonBooked at 88mins
- 23Can
- 19ManéSubstituted forOrigiat 90+1'minutes
- 11Firmino
- 10CoutinhoSubstituted forLeivaat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Wijnaldum
- 15Sturridge
- 17Klavan
- 18Moreno
- 21Leiva
- 22Mignolet
- 27Origi
West Brom
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Foster
- 25Dawson
- 23McAuley
- 3Olsson
- 2Nyom
- 5YacobBooked at 43minsSubstituted forBruntat 45'minutes
- 10PhillipsSubstituted forMorrisonat 51'minutesBooked at 85mins
- 24Fletcher
- 22Chadli
- 14McCleanBooked at 57minsSubstituted forRobson-Kanuat 65'minutes
- 9Rondón
Substitutes
- 4Robson-Kanu
- 7Morrison
- 8Gardner
- 11Brunt
- 13Myhill
- 20Galloway
- 45Leko
- Referee:
- Neil Swarbrick
- Attendance:
- 53,218
Match Stats
Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamWest Brom
- Possession
- Home68%
- Away32%
- Shots
- Home21
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away1
- Corners
- Home3
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Liverpool 2, West Bromwich Albion 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Divock Origi.
Post update
Offside, Liverpool. Emre Can tries a through ball, but Divock Origi is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Divock Origi replaces Sadio Mané.
Post update
Offside, West Bromwich Albion. Salomón Rondón tries a through ball, but Nyom is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Salomón Rondón (West Bromwich Albion) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Dawson with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Lucas Leiva replaces Philippe Coutinho.
Booking
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Roberto Firmino with a through ball.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Hal Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gareth McAuley with a headed pass.
Post update
Foul by Joel Matip (Liverpool).
Post update
Salomón Rondón (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Emre Can.
Booking
James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nacer Chadli (West Bromwich Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Hal Robson-Kanu.
Post update
Attempt saved. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.
Post update
Attempt saved. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Sadio Mané with a cross.
Goal!
Goal! Liverpool 2, West Bromwich Albion 1. Gareth McAuley (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Hal Robson-Kanu following a corner.
Post update
Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Loris Karius.
Comments
Join the conversation
If you play balanced football and have a great team ethos; you'll often overachieve.
Liverpool winning the league would be an over-achievement given their relative financial power.
Klopp said it himself; if you play a way that makes people can't wait to see the next game; you'll succeed.
Or was I talking about Klopp!?
Or both?
If so, I don't care. They entertain me and that's what I'd prefer over anything else.
Happy.
so you were the one celebrating a draw at Anfield as if you won the FA Cup last week.
True Man utd fans can see the difference in styles between Liverpool and Manchester utd. honestly what style would you prefer?
Fat Mick doesn't like Klopp because he is passionate about his team. Mourinho is about as passionate as your missus looking at u with no clothes on.
Minor gripe: Anothing shirt holding on Matip by Oslen, following last week's Smalling shirt holding on Can. Not complaining as a LFC fan, but as a football fan.
When are ref's going to stamp this out?
Expecially when this was a big focus in the first 3 weeks !!!
You just can't dislike Klopp, he is infectious! Really nice manager and man!
____
Certainly makes a refreshing change listening to him than others I could mention, who consistently make excuses for his own failings, and criticise other managers for deploying tactics that they themselves use
All I can say is it's great being entertained like this, danke jurgen!!
We're a team! Not individuals who claim to be one!!!
But that's a minor gripe. Another good performance, excellent in the first half and some great attacking play with just that failure to get the 3 or 4 goals the performance merited. We've a decent run in to Christmas and could be top of the tree by then!
I wonder if that had anything to do with the FACT we didnt have to go up against two 8 by 8 quadruple decker buses infront of us. Unlike the ones used and deployed at Anfield last Monday by ManUre.
as a full on Fan I'm not getting carried away but I will say if we get champions league football playing with the style we currently play with i would enjoy the season and class it as a success.
I would rather be entertained and drop points than do what moaninho does and bore the life out of the game and the fans.
Not true, they could only draw with Man U but they stuffed high flying arsenal.
I was born in Liverpool and because I don't live there now I'm nothing?
At the end of the day no one really cares about this apart from desperate trolls trying desperately to undermine a club they are bitter and jealous off
Can you blame us atm?
we are playing with passion and fluency with an identity that we haven't had for years.
Man Utd come to Ainfield for a draw - that in itself says everything you need to know about how LFC are perceived by other teams atm.
let's be quietly confident but not ram it down others fans throats.