Liverpool 1 - 1 West Bromwich Albion: Finished | 2020-12-27 | Premier League

Goalkeepers	G	GC	SAV
Alisson	0	1	2

Forwards	G	S	FC	FW
Mohamed Salah	0	3	1	0
Sadio Mané 12'	1	2	0	1
Roberto Firmino 90'	0	1	1	0

Midfielders	S	FC	FW
Jordan Henderson	1	1	2
Georginio Wijnaldum	1	0	0
Curtis Jones 83'	0	2	1

Defenders	GA	S	FC
Trent Alexander-Arnold	0	2	1
Andrew Robertson	0	0	1
Fabinho	0	1	0
Joel Matip 60'	1	0	0

Substitutes	S	FC	FW
Rhys Williams 60'(Joel Matip)	1	1	0
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 83'(Curtis Jones)	1	0	0
Divock Origi 90'(Roberto Firmino)	0	0	0
Neco Williams	0	0	0
Nathaniel Phillips	0	0	0
Takumi Minamino	0	0	0
James Milner	0	0	0
Xherdan Shaqiri	0	0	0
Caoimhin Kelleher	0	-	-

Goalkeepers	G	GC	SAV
Sam Johnstone	0	1	1

Forwards	G	GA	S	FC	FW
Karlan Grant 78'	0	0	2	0	1

Midfielders	S	FC	FW
Matt Phillips	0	1	0
Romaine Sawyers	0	0	1
Grady Diangana	1	0	2
Conor Gallagher 91'	0	1	3
Callum Robinson 73'	0	0	0

Defenders	G	S	FC	FW
Darnell Furlong	0	0	2	1
Kieran Gibbs	0	0	0	0
Semi Ajayi 82'	1	1	0	0
Dara O'Shea	0	0	1	0

Substitutes	GA	FC	FW
Matheus Pereira 73'(Callum Robinson)	1	0	0
Charlie Austin 78'(Karlan Grant)	0	0	0
Branislav Ivanovic 91'(Conor Gallagher)	0	0	0
Kamil Grosicki	0	0	0
Lee Peltier	0	0	0
Filip Krovinovic	0	0	0
Kyle Edwards	0	0	0
Cédric Kipré	0	0	0
Rekeem Harper	0	0	0
David Button	0	-	-

90'+6'

Liverpool have to get this out of their system quickly as they travel to Newcastle in three days' time. West Brom host Leeds. If anyone can get them out of trouble, it's Allardyce. That's all for now. Goodbye!

90'+6'

The draw leaves Liverpool three points clear at the top of the Premier League. Klopp and his players will know it should have been five. West Brom stay 19th, five points from safety, but that's their second draw away to Big Six opposition in three games. If the Baggies can start picking up wins the escape from relegation is on.

90'+6'

West Brom escape Anfield with the draw they were so clearly looking for. That's four trips here unbeaten for Allardyce now. Liverpool were the more enterprising side throughout but switched off after Matip's injury. West Brom made the most of it as their centre-back Ajayi ended up punishing the hosts.

90'+6'

FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM

90'+4'

Liverpool huff and puff but their plan of winning this game may have gone up in smoke. The Reds win a corner, then another. West Brom stand firm each time.

90'+2'

Pereira is caught offside from Diangana's throughball. West Brom are seconds away from getting the point they came for.

90'+1'

Liverpool have a corner from Johnstone's save. Alexander-Arnold swings it in and Williams' header is way over. Time is running out for the hosts.

90'+1'

West Brom make a late change of their own. The ex-Chelsea defender Ivanovic is on for Gallagher.

90'

Liverpool substitution. Origi is on for Firmino.

89'

Johnstone makes a great save to deny Firmino! Firmino's header is heading for the bottom right corner as the Brazilian gets on the end of Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross. The West Brom keeper gets across to stop it going in.

88'

The offside flag goes up against Pereira. The Brazilian had latched onto a pass down the right from Sawyers and crossed for Austin in the box. The officials decided to let the move play out before giving the free-kick.

86'

Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot from outside the box is blocked. Liverpool's fans appeal for a penalty when Mane goes down as he's being held by Furlong. There's nothing in it though and the referee agrees.

84'

Ajayi's goal was his first in the Premier League. Pereira has 19 league assists for West Brom since the start of last season, 12 more than any other West Brom player. It's easy to see why West Brom fans love him.

84'

Liverpool are starting to get slightly desperate now having stepped off the gas in this second half. Pereira hands Liverpool a corner. Oxlade-Chamberlain fires high and wide from distance.

83'

Liverpool substitution. Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Jones, whose laxness led to West Brom's goal.

82'

West Brom's substitute Pereira has made the difference for his side. Liverpool can't say it hasn't been coming.

82'

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROM! West Brom get the equaliser they've been looking for! Pereira takes the corner short and receives it back, whipping in a fantastic inswinging cross. Ajayi rises high to power it in off the right-hand post!

81'

Liverpool endure some confusion at the back with Jones too casual on the ball in front of his own box. Williams is forced to nip in and nod out for a corner.

80'

Liverpool are preparing another change. Oxlade-Chamberlain is getting ready to come on.

79'

West Brom substitution. Austin replaces the hardworking Grant up front.

79'

Robertson hands West Brom a corner. Fabinho makes a vital header away with Ajayi lurking. Liverpool break through Salah. Diangana nicks the ball away from him.

78'

Alexander-Arnold isn't too far from finding the top left corner. It's a better effort than his first-half free-kick as it curls just over Johnstone's goal.

77'

Gallagher comes across to take out Henderson who'll gladly take the free-kick. There wasn't much on for the Liverpool captain. There is now though as Alexander-Arnold stands over the free-kick. It's about 30 yards out.

76'

Ajayi clears with Salah bearing down on the box. Henderson sends a sweeping ball towards Alexander-Arnold who fires it across the box first-time. It's hooked away by Pereira.

74'

West Brom force a corner down their right off Mane. The delivery doesn't worry Alisson who catches it easily.

73'

West Brom make a substitution. Robinson makes way for the Baggies' Brazilian playmaker Pereira, the supporters' player of the season last campaign.

72'

Chance for West Brom! Salah's cross is cleared by Sawyers who sends Grant through on goal! Grant bursts into the box and shoots but Alisson rushes out and makes the block with his legs. That's the moment West Brom have been waiting for all game.

70'

There's been an interesting tussle going on between Robertson and Furlong all game. Furlong wins a free-kick in his own penalty area as Robertson pushes him from behind, looking to get on the end of Alexander-Arnold's delivery.

69'

Robinson's ball in from the right lands to Diangana arriving in the box. The England U21 international strikes it on the volley but gets it all wrong, his ambitious effort bouncing well wide.

68'

Salah spots Robertson with a fantastic switch towards the left of the box with West Brom playing so narrow. The offside flag foils Robertson again.

66'

Sawyers looks to release Phillips down the right but it's too quick for West Brom's makeshift captain. West Brom are better this half but still aren't threatening Alisson too much.

64'

Salah's poked cross from the right is put out of play by Ajayi. Robertson's corner is cleared by Gibbs. Wijnaldum puts in another cross from the left and Salah can't keep his header down.

62'

Jones keeps his calm to thread a pass through midfield for Robertson in West Brom's box. Robertson is just offside but Liverpool need to keep their cool with West Brom growing in influence.

61'

Klopp fumes after a free-kick is given against Williams on Grant. The Liverpool boss attracts a yellow card from the referee.

60'

Matip is unable to shake his injury off. Williams replaces him at centre-back. It's only the second Premier League appearance for the Liverpool youth product.

58'

Alexander-Arnold plays the free-kick towards West Brom's box. The visitors hold firm and break upfield with Robinson's cross cleared by Matip. Liverpool get away with it but Matip immediately signals a problem with his groin. Liverpool's defensive injuries continue.

56'

O'Shea receives a yellow card for a sliding tackle on Henderson while Liverpool are on the attack. The Irish international will accept it.

55'

Liverpool aren't quite as dominant now. Salah gives away a cheap free-kick on Sawyers in West Brom's half.

54'

Robinson, now playing on the left, beats Alexander-Arnold to find Phillips at the far post. Phillips nods it down in the six-yard box for Grant who can't get a clean shot away. The offside flag goes up against Phillips anyway.

52'

West Brom are showing a little more attacking intent now. Furlong again gets the chance to lob the ball into Liverpool's box. It bounces through to Fabinho who can only clear it as far as Gallagher. Liverpool eventually deal with it.

51'

West Brom get their first shot on target after Ajayi ventures forward to challenge for a Furlong long throw. Liverpool clear it and Furlong crosses for Grant. Grant gets his shot away but it's straight at Alisson.

50'

Salah plays a diagonal one-two with Firmino to drive into the box. Firmino's return pass is just in front of the Egyptian and Johnstone gathers it.

45'+2'

West Brom completed just 46 passes in that first half, 39 fewer than Jordan Henderson did for Liverpool. It's the joint-second fewest by a Premier League team this season. The Baggies have had just two shots in three halves of football under Allardyce. They won't worry Liverpool unless they can offer more on the counter-attack.

48'

Robinson looks to deliver an early ball from the right but finds it blocked by Fabinho. Robinson tries again, swinging towards Grant but Alisson comes out to claim it. The Liverpool goalkeeper has had precious little to do.

45'+2'

This game has been an exercise of attack versus defence. Liverpool have dominated possession and lead through Mane but West Brom have managed to restrict the hosts to one goal. It hasn't been pretty from the visitors but it gives them a chance in the second half.

45'+2'

HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST BROM

46'

Liverpool fire a shot across the bows straight away. Henderson receives a pass from Wijnaldum and swerves an effort wide from outside the box.

46'

We're underway here for the second half. No changes at half-time.

45'+1'

Grant takes down the ball wide left and holds it up while he waits for his team-mates. Diangana receives possession but there's not much on for him. Grant tries a throughball and Phillips is then caught offside.

45'

There'll be just the one minute added onto the end of this half.

45'

Robertson beats Robinson down the left. Again the Scot's cross is decent but O'Shea is on hand to reach it ahead of Firmino.

43'

Salah's flicked header floats out for a goal-kick after Alexander-Arnold's cross. Liverpool are leading so you wouldn't say they're frustrated, but West Brom have done well to hold the floodgates closed.

41'

Mane eschews Robertson to skip past Furlong and send in a deep cross from the left. It sails over Salah to land harmlessly on the other side of the box. Liverpool circulate the ball back and Robertson gets the chance to fire in. Again, Liverpool don't have the numbers in the box to capitalise on it, though.

39'

Henderson chips a pass for Alexander-Arnold who's made a run into the penalty area. Chelsea loanee Gallagher collects the second ball and wins a welcome free-kick for the visitors.

37'

Alexander-Arnold's ball in is easily caught by Johnstone. West Brom grow bold and venture out of their half only to lose the ball. Henderson sends a defence-splitting pass towards Mane. Mane's touch lets him down.

35'

Liverpool have had 84.5 per cent possession so far in this first half. The record for possession by a team in a match since 2003/04 is 82.95 per cent for Manchester City against Swansea in April 2018. The home side could well beat it today. That said, West Brom are restricting Liverpool's shots on target.

34'

Mane earns a free-kick to the left of the box as he's fouled by Furlong. Robertson's dead-ball delivery is headed out as far as Salah, who sends in a snap shot that fizzes over the crossbar.

32'

Sawyers has a potshot from range and it's blocked by Wijnaldum. Diangana picks up the pieces but the offside flag is up.

31'

Johnstone's goal-kick is poor and Liverpool find themselves back in possession. West Brom will probably be glad if they make it to half-time just the one goal down. It's hardly ambitious but it worked for them against Manchester City.

30'

Liverpool win a free-kick just outside the box as Jones is unfairly challenged by Furlong for a header. Alexander-Arnold steps up and swishes it well wide of the left-hand post.

28'

West Brom clear the corner and Diangana attempts to hold up play by the right touchline but he's quickly swarmed by a few Liverpool players. West Brom just can't get out of their half.

27'

Liverpool continue to pepper West Brom's goal. Salah takes down the ball in the box and lays off to Firmino. The Brazilian's shot from outside the box is blocked. It'll be a Liverpool corner.

25'

Henderson sends a searching cross into the box from deep. Johnstone claims it easily. Mane claims he's being held by Furlong but the referee isn't interested.

23'

Wijnaldum heads high and wide from the resulting corner for Liverpool. West Brom have yet to have a sniff of goal.

22'

Alexander-Arnold drills in a low cross from the right. Wijnaldum skips over it and it rolls close to Mane. Furlong does just enough to block and prevent Mane from grabbing his second goal of the game with the shot going wide.

21'

Henderson, in acres of space, picks out Mane's run across Ajayi but Mane can't control the header. Liverpool just keep coming.

20'

Alexander-Arnold carries the ball forward from midfield and has a punt from long-range that rebounds off O'Shea. Liverpool look supremely confident. This could be a long game for West Brom.

19'

If Liverpool don't get you down one flank they can do from the other. This time it's Alexander-Arnold's turn to send the ball into the danger area, almost picking out Mane.

17'

Robertson's forward ball from deep is trapped by Salah and laid off for Mane with Ajayi not ready again. Liverpool get a corner out of it. Robertson swings it in and it looks a free hit for Salah but the Egyptian can't get a clean contact on his attempt.

16'

Henderson flings a pass into the box for Robertson. Furlong manages to get his head onto it.

14'

West Brom go on a tentative foray forward. Sawyers tries to find Robinson but Robertson is there to intercept. Robinson tries again and Henderson clears the cross.

13'

Mane has now scored in back-to-back league games for the first time since October. By his high standards, he had been going through a bit of a drought of late, but it looks well and truly over now.

12'

That was a great forward pass by Matip to find Mane as he's spotted Ajayi out of position. It's a blow to West Brom who now have to attack having conceded first.

12'

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST BROM! Mane gives Liverpool the lead! The Senegal forward chests down Matip's ball forward and slots it first-time past Johnstone.

11'

Ajayi intercepts Robertson's cross into the box but Liverpool are keeping the pressure up. There's no escape for West Brom at all at the moment.

10'

West Brom win a throw down their right. It's hurled into Liverpool's penalty area towards Ajayi who can't keep his header down.

8'

West Brom are playing almost with a back six with their defence so narrow. Liverpool are finding it difficult to find space in behind with Robertson unable to keep Wijnaldum's pass in play. West Brom goal-kick.

6'

That's two great crosses from Robertson already. Liverpool's Scottish left-back sends a sumptuous ball towards the far post that is a tap-in in waiting for Salah. Salah just can't reach it though and West Brom survive.

5'

The game's being played entirely in West Brom's half at the moment. Henderson floats a ball over the top towards Salah. It's headed out and Gallagher wins a free-kick for the visitors.

4'

Firmino tries to slot a pass through the middle for Salah. It's the wrong pass with Alexander-Arnold in space out wide. Ajayi and O'Shea combine to stop it finding its intended target.

3'

Robertson gets down the left and flashes a cross across the face of goal. Alexander-Arnold picks it up on the opposite side but Henderson's ball into the box is blocked.

2'

As expected West Brom are lining up in a 4-5-1 formation. Robinson has started out over on the right flank. He'll have his hands full dealing with Liverpool's flying left-back Robertson.

1'

The players take the knee and the final league match at Anfield this year gets started!

-

The two sides are coming out onto the pitch at Anfield. Liverpool are wearing their traditional all-red home kit. West Brom will play in their usual navy blue and white stripes.

-

Liverpool boast an excellent home record against promoted sides, winning all 14 league games under Klopp. They're also unbeaten in their last 10 league meetings with West Brom, although six of those meetings have ended in draws. West Brom would no doubt take a point right now. But will they get it?

-

Liverpool make two changes from their 7-0 romp over Crystal Palace last time out. Jones gets the nod in midfield while Salah returns to complete the Reds' famous front three. Fabinho makes his 100th appearance for the Reds. There's just the one change to West Brom's line-up from their 3-0 loss to Aston Villa. Robinson comes in for the suspended Jake Livermore. Phillips deputises as captain.

-

SUBS: Rekeem Harper, David Button, Charlie Austin, Filip Krovinovic, Cedric Kipre, Matheus Pereira, Kamil Grosicki, Lee Peltier, Branislav Ivanovic.

-

WEST BROM (4-1-4-1): Sam Johnstone; Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Dara O'Shea, Kieran Gibbs; Romaine Sawyers; Matt Phillips (c), Callum Robinson, Conor Gallagher, Grady Diangana; Karlan Grant.

-

SUBS: Divock Origi, Rhys Williams, Nathaniel Phillips, James Milner, Takumi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Caoimhin Kelleher, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Neco Williams.

-

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson; Curtis Jones, Jordan Henderson (c), Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.

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West Brom, however, may not be the easy opponents they looked a few weeks ago. The relegation strugglers' new boss Sam Allardyce is unbeaten in his last three league visits to Anfield and was even the last away manager to win a league game here with Crystal Palace in April 2017. Will the Baggies get that new boss bounce?

-

Liverpool are starting to find another gear. Jurgen Klopp's team are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games since their 7-2 loss to Aston Villa, a run which has enabled them to pull away from the chasing pack. A win here would send the Reds five points clear at the top. Don't expect Liverpool to let up now.

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Hello! Welcome to our live text commentary of this Premier League match between Liverpool and West Brom at Anfield.

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