Liverpool vs West Brom, FA Cup 4th Round – The view from The Hawthorns – Opposition Preview

Liverpool’s memorable victory over Merseyside rivals Everton earlier this month, which saw club-record signing Virgil van Dijk score a late winner on debut, saw them progress to the 4th Round of the FA Cup.

The draw saw them given a home tie against another Premier League side, with Alan Pardew’s West Brom the next side to try and end any possible chances of Liverpool winning the FA Cup this season.

The Baggies salvaged a 0-0 draw at Anfield at the end of last year and frustrated Liverpool from start to finish. Funnily enough, the Reds played Everton days earlier, with a late Wayne Rooney penalty earning them a point.

Liverpool were able to put that right by beating the Toffees in the FA Cup and will be hoping for something similar with West Brom this weekend.

To get an Opposing Preview ahead of this fixture, we spoke to Paul Suart, Senior sports writer for the Birmingham Mail.

What is the general feeling amongst the West Brom fanbase heading into this fixture? Confident?

Not sure I’d say confident, but the 0-0 draw at Anfield last month will have given the players a shot in the arm and belief they could achieve another positive result.

That said, Liverpool’s defeat at Swansea could spell danger for the Baggies with a strong reaction from the Reds expected.

How high on the list of priorities is the FA Cup for West Brom this year?

Were Albion not a relegation dogfight, the club would be taking the cup incredibly seriously. Especially as 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Albion’s last FA Cup title.

A Jeff Astle goal in extra time was enough to beat Everton at Wembley in 1968. A stat that’s bound to go down well with Reds fans! But given the current crop’s predicament, the league game at Manchester City four days later is the preeminant fixture.

READ MORE: Why is Emre Can such a divisive figure at Liverpool?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, December 13, 2017: Liverpool scoreboard records the goal-less draw with West Bromwich Albion during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Last time you came to Anfield you managed to salvage a point. Do you think you can get a similar result this Saturday?

Lightening very rarely strikes twice. And I doubt it will on Saturday. All the pressure will be on Liverpool and the Baggies will see it as a ‘free fit’.

Factors that should suit the visitors. But I just think the Reds will have too much even if, as expected, Jurgen Klopp makes a number of changes himself.

Is Pardew likely to make a host of changes for this match with it being a cup game?

Pardew is bound to rest a number of his best players given the proximity of the league trip to the Etihad.
“If you’re asking me which one is more important to us it’s the Man City game,” he said after the 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend.

“But I have vast experience in the FA Cup and know it can give you great momentum so we’ll be going to Liverpool looking to do ourselves justice.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, December 13, 2017: West Bromwich Albion’s manager Alan Pardew during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

How would you assess Pardew’s start to life at West Brom? A good appointment?

He’s certainly made Albion more interesting to watch, but hasn’t been able to marry that with results. Not until the last few weeks that is.

He got the ‘no wins’ monkey off his back with the FA Cup victory over Exeter City and that appears to have settled the players down a little.

Only one defeat in six – and even that was to an injury time goal at West Ham – so things are looking up for the Baggies.

Are we likely to see West Brom sit deep and look to hurt Liverpool on the counter-attack or do you think Pardew may encourage his side to be a bit more expressive this time around?

Liverpool will naturally enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but, unlike his predecessor Tony Pulis, Pardew won’t be afraid to commit bodies forward when the time is right.

And given there’s no league points at stake, Pardew might just ask his players to be bolder and take a few more risks.

READ MORE: Why winning the FA Cup could represent a new-era in Liverpool’s love affair with silverware

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

What have you made of Liverpool so far this season?

More hits than misses. In full-flow, they’re as menacing as Manchester City.

Even without Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool have an embarrassment of riches up front and match winners all over.

But the old fraiities still seem to be there. Defending set-pieces continues to be an Achilles heel under Klopp. And if there’s a team with the weapons to hurt you at set-plays it’s West Brom.

The West Brom player you think Liverpool need to be wary of?

I’m not sure if he’ll startas Pardew might won’t to keep him fresh for City, but if he does, I’d be wary of Salomon Rondon. Albion fans would probably laugh if they heard that. Mainly because his goals record is terrible.

But his performances of late – particularly last weekend when he was the best player on the pitch – suggest the goals are going to come.

He can be unplayable, but also utterly amateur. I just get the feeling he’s building momentum and a team could soon be on the receiving end.

READ MORE: Why it’s imperative that Liverpool get Adam Lallana match-fit as soon as possible

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Friday, January 5, 2018: Liverpool’s Adam Lallana during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 230th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Liverpool player you think could cause West Brom the most problems?

I think Adam Lallana is a fabulous player so it’s a real shame to see him struggle so badly this season with injury.

If he starts, Albion will surely have to keep a close eye on Mohamed Salah. I think he’s taken everyone by surprise with the impact he’s had on Merseyside. His finishing has been near faultless.

Score prediction?

That’s a tough one. I really do think West Brom will make life difficult for Liverpool.

But I can see the hosts edging it 2-1.

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