So, four games unbeaten, two local derbies and following on from last season’s 2-1 win. Baggies fans were perhaps feeling confident of getting a result. My Nan loves Liverpool. She once brought me a Christmas calendar which was Liverpool themed. Of course, the windows were boarded up and someone had nicked the chocolate, but the thought was there.
Long was out, although the operation to have Hutton surgically removed appears to have been a success and Tchoyi replaced him. Lee Mason was a last minute addition to the Liverpool team.
First half
Never easy to tell how a game is going to go when a strange decision affects things early on. At the time, I was convinced that JT had won the ball fairly and that Suarez had just dived (as usual). From my clear view in the SME, I was sure it was a poor decision. It is easy to look afterwards and say it was a foul. But, the referee was 10 yards away with a clear look at it and was happy. The Lino, 20 yards away, gave the penalty. It was a clumsy challenge but Suarez didn't have the ball. It looked like Thomas was just trying to get back the other way to get back to where the ball was. Anyway, Adam converted with ease (Is it just me, but when we get a penalty I always feel we are likely to miss. Yet when opponents get one, I always feel they are going to score).
Albion regrouped and had a couple of half-chances. JT shooting wide and a tame header from Odemwingie. But Liverpool always looked dangerous. A far post cross found Carroll and his header, fizzed off his slick head and hit Reid on the arm. Penalty? Could Reid get out of the way? Should his arm have been up? Who knows. Again, Lee 'verpool' Mason had a clear view but there was no Linesman to give the decision this time.
For the rest of the half, Liverpool dominated. Blocks by Olsson, a poor free kick by Suarez and then another scramble at the back led to Suarez blazing over the bar from seven yards. West Brom then woke up again and a small period of pressure led to a rasping shot by Scharner which was goal bound until it struck Skrtel. It looked like we would go into the break just 1-0 down. Olsson, coming out of defence as the last man passed the ball to Adam. His first time ball to Suarez who played in the unmarked Carroll and we were all at sea. One on one with Foster and on the edge of the box he guided it into the empty net! 2-0 down and even then it felt like game over.
The referee
Yes, the penalty decision may have been right, But the real issue with him, and his assistants was that they were getting just about every decision wrong. Throw-ins going the wrong way, free kicks for nothing challenges. Goal kicks instead of corners. It was killing the match.
Second Half
Liverpool started to dominate from the off and a nod back by Carroll to Henderson gave a shooting opportunity which JT blocked. Their fans were sensing more goals. Looking very smart in their new clobber picked up from the JD Sports evening range (only available in the Bootle store). But Albion countered and a great turn and shot by Tchoyi curled just wide of the far post.
Another Liverpool attack, this time falling to Carroll who mishit his attempt horribly wide. Then Carroll, still recovering from his recent house move from Dale Farm, laid on Suarez whose shot was blocked by Olsson. Around the hour mark, the Baggies were forced to replace Scharner with Morrison. It seemed a strange decision by Roy at the time with people hoping to see Gera. Another ‘Pool attack and Enrique angled a shot which was well saved by Foster. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Downing who shot wide.
It was now all Liverpool and another chance, this time to Carroll and another great save by Foster. We tried to rally briefly when Dorrans came on for Mulumbu and a header from Olsson flashed wide but again, Liverpool responded and another chance fell to Downing who hit the foot of Foster’s left post. The final whistle was probably a relief as we were well beaten by the better side. Onwards and upwards then as Arsenal are our next opponents and they warmed up by scoring five at Chelsea. Happy Days!
Have your say on Albion's defeat here at Baggies Banter.