Liverpool vs West Brom: A Recent History

For more Redmen TV content including podcasts, subscriber exclusives and three new shows every week subscribe now and get your first month for FREE bit.ly/RMTVjoinGames against West Brom aren’t always the most eye catching, their choice of managers and tactics mean that the majority of the time they show up to frustrate Liverpool and hope that they can get a draw or maybe snatch the win. For a while, these tactics worked as between 2011 and 2016 the two teams had played each other thirteen times, with West Brom winning four, Liverpool winning five and it ending as a draw four times, The Baggies were making themselves known as a sort of bogey team for the reds but recently Liverpool’s fortunes have been better. With the two teams facing up against each other at Anfield tonight here is a recent RedmenTV history of the fixture:West Brom 0 1 Liverpool 16th April 2017Liverpool travelled to The Hawthorns looking to solidify their place in the Premier League’s top four. After a rocky time in January, Jurgen Klopp had steadied the ship and his team were starting to grind out the results they needed for the pursuit of Champions League football for the second time in nine years. West Brom presented a tough opposition, a surprising season had them sitting solidly in 8^th place and manager Tony Pulis was yet to lose to Liverpool at home.The game was a tight affair but it was Liverpool who saw the majority of chances, Firmino firing just wide and Coutinho over as they looked to continue on the good form they showed in the previous game against Stoke. It was the Brazilian striker who gave Liverpool the lead, Milner’s free-kick from the right was flicked on by Lucas and there was Firmino to head home from close range.Liverpool had looked good for their lead but could have very easily gone into half-time tied at 1-1, a deep West Brom cross looked certain to be slammed in by Nacer Chadli at the back post, but Roberto Firmino’s presence was enough to put the winger off.The game continued in the same manner for the second half, Origi rightly had a goal disallowed after Firmino was flagged for offside and Mignolet was on hand to prevent Matt Phillips after he was put through on goal. With the game heading towards a close West Brom piled on the pressure, they were getting plenty of set pieces and eventually Pulis sent Ben Foster up to get an extra man in Liverpool’s area. Jurgen Klopp’s team cleared the ball and Moreno was unable to capitalise on Foster being out of his goal but it ultimately wouldn’t matter as Liverpool went home with all three points. Liverpool 2 1 West Brom 22nd October 2016Liverpool had enjoyed a fast start to the season and found themselves towards the top of the table, having already brushed champions Leicester aside and thrashing Watford 6-1 at home Liverpool’s Anfield record was something to worry West Brom.Liverpool opened the scoring with a goal that was typical of the free-flowing football they had become accustomed to, Phillipe Coutinho’s dummy let Emre Can run through the midfield with the ball; he then gave it to Roberto Firmino who sent a lovely left footed cross over for Mane to volley in. The new signing took his goal exceptionally well and kept his rich vein of form at his new club going.Phillipe Coutinho doubled Liverpool’s lead fifteen minutes later, fed through by Mane on the left the Brazillian cut back onto his right foot before firing the ball into the keepers near post. Liverpool looked to be on their way to another big victory and knew a two goal margin would send them top of the league for the first time that season.The game continued in the same manner in the second half but Liverpool were just unable to beat Ben Foster for a third time. Firmino had two clear chances blocked and Dejan Lovren was denied by a wonderful save from the goalkeeper. Glen McCauley would ruin Liverpool’s party by scoring to make it 2-1 and whilst there was a scare for a short amount of time Liverpool still ran out 2-1 winners to continue their impressive streak. Liverpool 2 2 West Brom 13th December 2015Jurgen Klopp had endured a stop start beginning to his Liverpool career, there were successful games like Chelsea away but there were also games that showed Liverpool’s many flaws like Crystal Palace at home. The game against West Brom showed both sides of Liverpool as they ultimately dropped points against a lesser side, but showed fighting spirit to equalise late on in the game.The captain gave Liverpool the lead in the 20^th minute, a long ball was knocked down by Lallana and Jordan Henderson ran onto it unmarked to slot past Ben Foster. Their lead didn’t last for long and just seven minutes later West Brom capitalised on a Simon Mignolet mistake as Craig Dawson fired West Brom level.Liverpool were fortunate not to go into half-time 2-1 down as Jonas Olsson had a goal disallowed for offside, The Red’s defensive frailties were once again on show as West Brom broke a high line and had three players lining up to finish. After a long time deliberating referee Craig Pawson eventually ruled the goal out for offside and it would turn out to be the correct decision as nearly all of West Brom’s players were inches offside.However, Liverpool didn’t learn their lesson and in the 73^rd minute Olsson was back to properly punish Jurgen Klopp’s side. Yet another set piece was delivered and Olsson met the ball at the near post to flick it past Simon Mignolet, Liverpool could have no complaints about this goal and now they had a mountain to climb to get themselves back into the game.Craig Gardener could have seen red for a challenge on Dejan Lovren and despite going unpunished by the referee the Croatians replacement would have the final laugh on the matter. In a last-ditch attempt to salvage the game Jurgen Klopp substituted on Divock Origi once Lovren was unable to continue and it was the Belgian that scored the equalising goal for Liverpool.Picking the ball up late on, Origi struck it from distance and his shot took a wicked deflection to send it past the keeper. Liverpool had ridden their luck but had managed to scrape a draw at home when it looked like they were heading for a loss. Liverpool 2 1 West Brom 04th October 2014Brendan Rodgers’s team were coming off the back of that amazing season which saw them finish second only to Manchester City, the departure of Luis Suarez that summer brought in an incredible amount of funds and it was a new look Liverpool team that had made an average start to the season. Liverpool already found themselves in sixth place and needed a few wins in order to propel themselves up the table and into the Champions League spots.It was one of the new signings who managed to put Liverpool ahead on the stroke of half-time, Lallana playing a one two with Henderson before hitting a low left footed shot past Ben Foster to score his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.Saido Berahino would equalise at Anfield with a penalty in the 56^th minute and with Liverpool not putting in the most convincing of performances there was a nervous atmosphere around the stadium. Fortunately, the game would only be tied for five minutes as Sterling got into the box and was able to pull it back for the on running Jordan Henderson and Liverpool’s lead was restored.Luckily for Brendan Rodgers that day Henderson and Lallana bailed him out after a poor team performance overall, the rest of the season wouldn’t pick up either and it would be the last full season in charge for the Northern Irishman. Article by Louis ConnorTwitter: @Loui_ConnorFor more Redmen TV content including podcasts, subscriber exclusives and three new shows every week subscribe now and get your first month for FREE bit.ly/RMTVjoin