Liverpool 1 West Brom 1 - Report

In what was very much a game of two-halves, Jurgen Klopp’s side outclassed the Baggies in an opening 45 minutes they dominated.

Showing next to no ambition, the Baggies sat deep and defended in numbers from the very first whistle.

And they fell behind in the 12th minute when Saido Mane fired in after collecting a pass from Joel Matip.

Incredibly, Liverpool enjoyed 82 per cent possession in the first half.

But with the Baggies sticking to their guns, the Red were forced to settle for just a single goal advantage as they made their way off at the break.

And after the interval, Albion played with much for ambition and significantly more purpose.

Despite still withstanding heavy pressure, they almost got themselves back on terms when Karlan Grant raced into the box only to see a low drive saved by Alisson.

Moments later, though, and the Baggies were level with Semi Ajayi producing a brilliant header to power home a corner.

Albion still had work to do with Sam Johnstone making a great save to deny Roberto Firmino in the 90th minute.

And that meant the statistics of the game made for remarkable reading at full-time with Liverpool having had 78 per cent possession but with the Baggies having had three shots on target compared to their two.

Report

Allardyce arrived at Anfield as the last visiting manager to have won there in the Premier League with the boss guiding Crystal Palace to what has since become a famous victory back in April 2017.

And in a bid to upset the odds once again, the Dudley-born chief sprung a number of surprises when naming his starting line-up.

Despite being available again following a three-match ban, talisman Matheus Pereira was forced to make do with a place on the subs bench.

Instead, Allardyce opted for a 4-5-1 formation that saw Matt Phillips - who was named as captain - moved into central midfield alongside Conor Gallagher and Romaine Sawyers.

Grady Diangana started on the left-wing with Callum Robinson on the right and Grant up front.

Liverpool lined up in their now-iconic 4-3-3 system with Mo Salah and Mane operating either side of Firmino in attack.

In midfield, skipper Jordan Henderson was joined by Georginio Wijnaldum and youngster Curtis Jones.

Allardyce had told broadcasters in his pitchside interview before kick-off that getting a point or three at Anfield was "a difficult job, but not impossible."

Yet his team played with next to no attacking ambition whatsoever in the opening stages with the Baggies sitting deep in their rigid 4-5-1 right from the off.

It meant the game was effectively a training exercise between one team wanting to attack and another wanting to defend.

And the plan looked like it had gone out the window when Mane opened the scoring.

Despite being set-up to make it incredibly difficult for Liverpool to create chances, the Baggies defence was undone by a simple ball from Matip.

His pass was then collected on the chest by Sane who had got himself in-between both Dara O’Shea and Ajayi.

The Senegal international then hit a powerful low drive that flew past Johnstone and into the net.

From that point on, Klopp’s men just kept coming.

Trent Alexander-Arnold saw a fierce strike from the edge of the box well blocked by O’Shea.

Mane then met a clipped Henderson cross into the box only to for his effort to sail wide.

Albion's game plan meant they were content to let the likes of Fabinho, Matip and Henderson have the ball with the Baggies eager to regroup rather than press.

Camped deep in their rigid system, they continued to defend their goal.

And it meant they were incredibly hard to create chances against with Salah showing his frustration when he lashed a strike well over from 25-yards.

Liverpool kept trying to plug away with Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson consistently sending in dangerous crosses.

But despite having enjoyed a whopping 82 per cent possession, they made their way off at the break with just a one-goal lead - and with that goal having been very preventable.

Albion, meanwhile, had managed to complete just 48 passes in the entire half - while Henderson alone had completed 85 for Liverpool while Jones had also bettered the Baggies with 49.

It was the hosts who created the first chance following the re-start with Henderson sending a powerful drive from 20-yards just inches past the post.

Albion, though, had decided to show they too could play with purpose.

And they had their first meaningful shot on goal in the 51st minute when Grant did well to collect a pass from Furlong on his chest.

The striker then took a touch before hitting a low effort at goal from 18-yards. It was straight at Alisson, though, who made a simple stop.

Allardyce’s men were now much improved with Grant unable to turn a dangerous Robinson cross towards goal.

And with frustrations growing in the home ranks, Klopp received a yellow card after reacting furiously after substitute Rhys Williams was deemed to have fouled Grant in the middle of the park.

Inevitably, Albion showing more ambition meant there was more space for Liverpool to exploit.

And the hosts went close again just past the hour mark when Wijnaldum sent in a dangerous cross which Salah headed over.

With around 20 minutes to go, though, Albion had a glorious chance to pull level.

A long ball forward from Sawyers sent Grant charging towards goal with the former Huddersfield man using his pace to race past Williams into the box.

But on the angle, around 12-yards-out, he then saw a low drive well blocked by the legs of Alisson.

Allardyce responded by introducing Pereira for Robinson.

Then with around 10 minutes left to play, Charlie Austin replaced Grant.

And having been so much better following the re-start, they then defied the odds to drag themselves level.

A short corner routine saw Pereira find Sawyers before receiving the ball back.

And the Brazilian then whipped in a cross that Ajayi met with a truly brilliant header that clipped the inside of the post before going over the line.

As you would expect, Liverpool piled on the pressure from that point.

And they had a glorious chance to claim all three points in the 90th minute when Alexander-Arnold sent in a dangerous cross.

Around six-yards out, Firmino looked destined to head the ball home.

But at full-stretch, Johnstone produced an outstanding one-handed save to spectacularly push the ball away and earn his side a fantastic point.

Teams

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Matip (R. Williams 60), Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Jones (Oxlade-Chamberlian 73), Salah, Firmino (Origi 90), Mane.

Subs not used: Kellher, Milner, Minamino, Shaqiri, Phillips, N. Williams.

Albion (4-5-1): Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, O'Shea, Gibbs, Phillips, Sawyers, Gallagher (Ivanovic 90), Diangana, Robinson (Pereira 73), Grant (Austin 78).

Subs not used: Button, Peltier, Kipre, Harper, Krovinovic, Grosicki.