West Brom 0-1 Liverpool- Match Report


Roberto Firmino's header keeps Liverpool's top-four aspirations on track

Roberto Firmino's header was enough to earn Liverpool a 1-0 win at West Brom and keep their top-four challenge on track.

The Brazilian nodded in a first-half winner to settle an unremarkable game and extend the Reds' unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches



Jurgen Klopp's side climbed over Manchester City into third, having played a game more, to strengthen their claim on a Champions League qualification spot.

Firmino settled a poor match of few clear chances at the Hawthorns, although Nacer Chadli and James Milner wasted fine openings



Albion have now taken just four points - against Manchester United and Arsenal - from their last seven games as their bid to break 50 points for the first time in the Premier League falters



Despite their struggles, the Baggies began brightly and Hal Robson-Kanu directed Matt Phillips' effort wide but Liverpool gradually took control and nearly went ahead after 15 minutes



Claudio Yacob squandered possession to Philippe Coutinho and he played in Firmino but the Brazilian dragged his angled shot wide



The visitors bossed the early stages, although it was Albion who created the best opening when Chadli was left red-faced after 23 minutes



Gareth McAuley found Phillips and he hooked the ball to the far post with Chadli waiting to tap in but the former Tottenham man missed his kick from four yards, having been put off by the slightest of touches from Firmino



Immediately Coutinho volleyed wide at the other end and the lively Robson-Kanu fired straight at Simon Mignolet 10 minutes before the break but they were brief flash points in a tedious game



Albion sat deep and denied Liverpool space, with their plan working until the Reds broke the monotony to grab the winner seconds before half-time.

Lucas flicked on James Milner's right-wing free-kick and Firmino stole ahead of Craig Dawson to head in



It gave Liverpool impetus and they should have doubled their lead 11 minutes after the restart



The visitors had maintained control and a precise build-up sent Firmino scampering into the area but Milner could only volley over his floated cross



Divock Origi's header was disallowed for offside shortly afterwards and all Liverpool needed to win was to keep their concentration



The Baggies offered little threat until 10 minutes from time when Mignolet needed to be alert to preserve the points



Firmino, of all people, lost the ball to Salomon Rondon and he teed-up Phillips only for the winger to be thwarted by the on-rushing Mignolet



And substitute Alberto Moreno should have settled it in stoppage time but, after goalkeeper Ben Foster had come up for a corner and been dispossessed, shot wide of an open goal from 40 yards.


Source : PA

Source: PA