Liverpool 2-3 West Brom: Match Analysis

Liverpool suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of West Brom, on Saturday night, as the Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup in round 4 for the third successive season.

Jurgen Klopp named a strong side for the match with just 3 changes as Mignolet, Moreno and Alexander-Arnold returned to the side and Robertson, Karius and Gomez made way.

Liverpool saw the FA Cup as our best opportunity for silverware this season: something some fans are desperate for having not seen LFC lift a trophy since 2012.

Prior to kick off Anfield was ready. The atmosphere was in full flow and the flags in the Kop were out: the 12th man were ready for an exciting FA clash under the lights at Anfield.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion players shake hands beforec the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Five minutes in Mo Salah capitalised on a mistake by Jonny Evans, his first time strike was saved by Ben Foster, but it fell straight to Bobby Firmino who produced a beautiful chip over the West Brom goalkeeper into the back of the net. It was the perfect start for the Reds and a class finish from our Brazilian number 9.

Just a minute later, straight from kick-off, West Brom equalised. Jay Rodriguez was allowed to run through our defence and smash in the leveller from just inside the area.

From a Liverpool perspective, it was poor defending and the Reds had switched off having taken the lead so early. The West Brom man got past Emre Can far too easily and Moreno was nowhere to be seen.

In the 9th minute Salah found space and whipped a good ball into the area but Sadio Mané was unable to get any significant touch on the Egyptian’s cross and the ball went behind for a goal kick.

Shortly after, Jay Rodriguez got his second goal of the night converting from a low, drilled cross by Baggies left-back Kieran Gibbs. Just six minutes after taking the lead the Reds were now behind.

WATCH: Jürgen Klopp’s post-West Brom press conference in full

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: West Bromwich Albion’s Jay Rodriguez celebrates scoring the first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The goal came from poor tracking by Gini Wijnaldum in the midfield and Emre Can giving up after losing out in a challenge. Poor marking in the box from Alberto Moreno was the final defensive mishap which led to Jay Rodriguez being free to convert from 8 yards.

Saturday night was the first time that VAR (Video Assistant Referee), was used at Anfield and it was tested on several occasions to make key decisions. West Brom thought they had made it 3 after Craig Dawson got above Roberto Firmino and headed home from a corner.

Craig Pawson went to VAR and it was adjudged that former Everton midfielder Gareth Barry, who was in an offside position, interfered with play as he blocked off Simon Mignolet and the goal was ruled out.

There was further need for VAR moments later when Jake Livermore pulled down Mohamed Salah in the area. Initially, play continued. However, when the ball went out the referee referred to VAR and the match will go down in the history books as the first time a referee has used the VAR screen at the side of the pitch to watch the situation for a second time via a video replay.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: West Bromwich Albion players argue with referee Craig Pawson after he awarded Liverpool a penalty after reviewing a video replay during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Having watched the footage the referee pointed to the spot and Gareth Barry was booked for dissent.

Roberto Firmino, who had missed a penalty earlier on in the season against Sevilla at Anfield, stepped up and hit the underside of the bar a full 3 minutes after Salah was initially fouled.

Liverpool continued to push and had plenty of opportunities. On the half hour mark Salah took the ball past foster and pulled it back to Firmino but the Brazilian saw his strike blocked by Jonny Evans and go behind for a corner. The resulting corner was a good one and the Baggies were let off as both Mane and Matip failed to get a shot away as the ball fizzed across goal.

Alexander-Arnold tested Foster with a long-range attempt and Mo Salah had a chance to equalise not long before the break but hit the side netting with his weak foot having raced past the opposition’s defence.

READ MORE: Liverpool 2-3 West Brom: Player Ratings

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp reacts during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It was West Brom that capitalised though as they made it 3-1 in first half stoppage-time. Krychowiak dinked the ball over the defence to Dawson who was free and the West Brom defender turned an effort goalwards. Joel Matip was unable to clear the ball and it trickled into the far corner of the goal off the Cameroon international.

Liverpool were booed off at the break 3-1 down and they started the second half no stronger than how they had ended the first. West Brom put the ball in the back of the net for the 5th time. This time the linesman correctly put his flag up for offside.

Jurgen Klopp made three substitutions in the 65th minute bringing on Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Danny Ings who replaced, Oxlade- Chamberlain, Can and Mané.

The substitutions changed the game as they provided a different impetus. The Reds had lots of chances late on as West Brom dropped deeper and deeper with the intention of stopping Liverpool from getting back in the game.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

With 12 minutes to go Mohamed Salah made it 3-2 from 15 yards with a low finish and gave LFC fans hope but the Reds were unable to make our pressure count and were knocked out of the FA Cup.

The defeat means that Liverpool have lost to bottom and second bottom in the Premier League in the last 5 days. It was the Reds 5th defeat in all competitions this season which ensured that Liverpool were knocked out in the 4th round for the 3rd season in a row.

The FA Cup was a great chance for silverware this season. However, it’s disappointing to see people writing our season off after being knocked out of the competition. It isn’t all doom and gloom. The Reds are currently 4th in the league just 6 points behind second and are in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2008-2009 season.

The Problem? It’s frustrating that, as with previous managers, Liverpool continue to be consistently inconsistent turning in mediocre performances on the back of world class displays against the top teams. On Monday evening a lack of creativity was the problem but on Saturday night there were multiple issues. Poor defending from Moreno and Matip, in particular, was clear at times.

READ MORE: Five Talking Points from Liverpool 2-3 West Brom

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool’s Danny Ings during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

West Brom won the midfield battle easily on Saturday as both Wijnaldum and Can weren’t at their best. The main problem is, seemingly, the lack of fight that modern day Liverpool players display week in, week our. Gone are the days where players like Gerrard, Carragher and Alonso dug in and showed their quality no matter what the opposition.

Players who had passion, grit, and who played for the badge. You look at our squad now. We lack outright leaders: players who want to play at Liverpool Football Club for the rest of their careers. Klopp needs to show a commitment to some of his lads and give them a run in the team: time to develop their craft and show us reds what they are made of.

Trent shows promise; Robertson has shown that the left back berth may finally be sorted and Gomez, in my opinion, is an England regular of the future. All continue to suffer from Jurgen’s ongoing rotation policy that doesn’t give them chance to show their consistency, develop their craft and gain in confidence.

Other than the goal against Everton, Van Dijk has looked average playing with strangers in a back four which chops and changes every other week. Christmas is a time for rotation as players have to tackle the exciting, typically British, fixture pile up.

New year, new direction: show confidence in the future of Liverpool and give those players who are willing to fight for the badge an opportunity to shine.

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