After the high against Crystal Palace, the obligatory low followed in the next game: In a more than weak game, the Reds once again let Sam Alldaryce’s medieval tactics buy off two important points in the title race.
Klopp switched to two positions compared to the Crystal Palace game and brought Jones and Salah back into the starting line-up. Milner and Shaqiri were able to take a seat on the bench after their injuries.
Early guided tour of Mané
The game started exactly as everyone expected, West Brom stood with two chains of five in their own penalty area and tried to let Liverpool start. But after twelve minutes this plan went wrong! With a good pass, Matip found Mané in the penalty area, who acrobatically took the ball and sank it into the net to make it 1-0.
With that, the worst fears of a walled-up point by West Brom were actually shelved and everyone was expecting more goals from Liverpool. Alone, they didn’t fall. There were always good half-chances created, but there were no further shots apart from 1-0.
Well-deserved compensation
Anyone who had expected another assault by Liverpool in half-time two was disappointed. As the game continued, West Brom grew bolder and foreseen a weak day for Liverpool. “Big Sam” had exactly what he wanted: a one-goal deficit where you could wait for dangerous set pieces until the end.
In minute 60 the obligatory injury at Liverpool: Matip pointed to the coach bench, groin injury. With Keita and Matip, the two most injury-prone players in the squad are out again!
Rhys Williams came into play for Matip and shortly thereafter lost an important running duel against Grant, but Alisson Becker was able to prevent the equalizer at this point. In minute 82 the time had come: After a frivolous loss of the ball by Jones, Williams could only clear the corner and as it is in football, this unnecessary corner was punished immediately. Ajayi scored on the inside pole to equalize 1: 1!
Shortly before the end, Bobby Firmino had the match point on his head, but Johnstone was able to hold the point for the guests with a brilliant save.
All in all, a disappointing performance from pretty much everyone involved, including the coaching team. Everyone knew what Sammy Lee and Sam Allardayce were up to, but once again Klopp couldn’t find an answer. The changes during the game were also questionable or nonexistent. A bad day at the office!
Game info
Tore
1: 0 – Mané (12.)
1:1 – Ajayi (82.)
cards
O’Shea (56./Gelb)
Premier League
15th matchday
referee
Kevin Friend
venue
Anfield
Liverpool FC
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip (60. R. Williams), Fabinho, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Jones (83. Oxlade-Chamberlain), Henderson, Mane, Firmino (90. Origi), Salah, Firmino
Without any effort: Kelleher, N.Williams, Phillips, Milner, Minamino, Shaqiri
West Bromwich Albion
Johnstone, O’Shea, Gibbs, Furlong, Ajayi, Diangana, Gallagher (91. Ivanovic), Sawyers, Philips, Robinson (73. Pereira), Grant (78. Austin)
Without any effort: Krovinovic, Kipre, Grosicki, Peltier, Harper, Button
Red Fellas – Man of the Match
Sadio Mané
Next game
Newcastle United (A)
Premier League – Matchday 16
30.12. – 9:00 p.m.
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