Liverpool were crusing to an ideal win ahead of the Champions League semi-final, but conceded two late goals from set pieces to throw away two points.
West Brom 2-2 Liverpool
Premier League, The Hawthorns
Saturday, 21 April 2018
Goals
Ings 4′ (assist: Wijnaldum)
Salah 72′ (assist: Oxlade-Chamberlain)
Livermore 79′
Rondon 83′
With Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first-leg against Roma in mind, Jurgen Klopp made five changes to the lineup, opting to rest both full backs and Roberto Firmino.
That meant another opportunity for Danny Ings up front and he grabbed the opening goal inside four minutes, scoring his first goal since October 2015.
Ings’ goal arrived after good work by Sadio Mane from a short corner on the left, which eventually fell to the forward’s feet and he lashed home from six yards.
It was an ideal start for Klopp’s side in the West Midlands sunshine.
After Ings’ early opener, the game settled into a very much end of season affair, with little more action in the opening half an hour.
Baggies’ forward Solomon Rondon somehow avoided a booking after two wild challenges on Ings, while Mo Salah had a couple of efforts as he sought to add to his 40 goals so far this season.
A succession of corners for the home side before half-time provided West Brom with their best spell of the game, and James McClean flashed an effort across goal from David Livermore’s cross. Somehow Liverpool avoided conceding.
It should have been 2-0 though before the break, with Ings failing to beat Ben Foster from close range.
Half-time: West Brom 0-1 Liverpool
- Ings gets his first goal under Klopp
- Firmino makes his 100th appearance for the club
- Salah chips his 41st goal of the season
- Reds concede two late goals off set pieces
Early in the second half, Ings had a shout for a penalty, which referee Stuart Atwell waved away. Replays showed it was clearly a penalty with Craig Dawson having tripped the forward.
Atwell had an absolutely awful game, constantly refusing to give decisions.
Ahmed Hegazi then landed a soft punch on Ings’ stomach as the forward was on the ground. Again, the ref gave nothing.
With few chances, Klopp made a double change on 65 minutes, introducing Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Sadio Mane and Ings.
Those changes also saw Salah move to the No. 9 role and five minutes later he made it two, first combining with Firmino, then receiving the ball back from Oxlade-Chamberlain before chipping the ball beautifully over Foster.
The home side made it less comfortable for the final 15 minutes, when Jake Livermore eventually scrambled in an effort from a corner.
It made it a more nervy ending, with Klopp introducing Dejan Lovren for Salah for the final 10 minutes in an attempt to see the game out.
But it didn’t happen, with West Brom equalising with three minutes remaining through Solomon Rondon when he headed in from Chris Brunt’s free-kick. It was poor defending by Liverpool.
It ended points shared, now all eyes are on Roma on Tuesday.
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Next Match: Roma (home, Tuesday 24 April)
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