It was job done in the end for Liverpool after they beat West Brom 2-1 at Anfield this evening.
The Reds scored the opener through Sadio Mane after a well-worked team move saw the Senegalese international hit a fine volley across the front of Baggies ‘keeper Ben Foster before Philippe Coutinho scored the second.
The Brazilian was the best player on the pitch and his goal summed up his performance. He cut inside two West Brom defenders before driving a shot low into the corner at the near post to put the Reds in control going into half-time.
They then had chances to kill the game off and could have ended up ruing missing them when West Brom nicked a goal back with ten minutes to play, ensuring a nervy finish, but the men from Anfield did manage to see the game out.
Their title challenge is well and truly still on, then, and here are FIVE things we learned from the game…
Liverpool can break down stubborn defences
Many were interested to see how the Reds would cope against a typically resolute Tony Pulis side after their stalemate against an equally stubborn Manchester United team on Monday but it was a test that duly passed. The Reds got an early enough goal through Sadio Mane and doubled their lead before half-time to all but kill the game off. It’s come as a relief that they can break teams down.
West Brom need more up front
West Brom adopted similar tactics to Manchester United in the sense that they sat deep and then looked to get the ball to the strikers quickly. The only problem being that the Baggies’ forwards simply were not at the races today. Whilst it’d be silly to suggest West Brom bring in a Zlatan Ibrahimovic level player they certainly need someone who can hold the ball up better if they want to use this tactic.
Liverpool are title challengers
The win has seen Liverpool go joint top of the league behind only on goal difference and you have to say they’ll be around top spot for the months to come. Yes, it is a home win against West Brom so perspective is needed but in a weekend that’s already seen the likes of Arsenal draw at home to Middlesbrough, you can’t underestimate every three points gained. This was a professional performance from the Reds in the end.
West Brom midtable at best
Some sections of the West Brom support want to see them progressing into a side challenging for Europe but it doesn’t look like that’ll be happening this season. They are organised and pragmatic most of the time but they are very rarely going to take the teams above them on, especially away from home. Until they can do something about that they won’t be getting much further than midtable.
Adam Lallana is truly vital
As if there was any doubt about this one before the game it has surely been dismissed now. Lallana is the perfect Jurgen Klopp player as he presses from the middle of the pitch and West Brom simply couldn’t subdue him. Tthe Reds really missed him on Monday night and that is testament to his transformation under his current boss given how much confidence he lacked in his early Liverpool career.
