Divock Origi Rescues Liverpool

Divock Origi scored his first Premier League goal in the 96th minute to earn Liverpool a 2-2 draw in a interesting match against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson marked his first league start since August by finishing a superb move with a sweet half-volley to give the home side the lead mid-way through the first half.

Craig Dawson equalised for Albion after half an hour, turning in the loose ball after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had failed to deal with a corner.

Liverpool looked uncertain whenever defending set-pieces and almost went behind right on halftime as Jonas Olsson volleyed in Craig Gardner’s free-kick, only to be correctly ruled offside after a long delay.

The Sweden centre-back was not to be denied a goal, though, rising at the near post to glance in Chris Brunt’s corner with 17 minutes left.

There followed a sour incident as Dejan Lovren was carried off on a stretcher with his leg in a brace after a challenge by Gardner, who followed through and caught the centre-back on the knee.

But towards the end of eight minutes of time added on for Lovren’s injury, Origi’s deflected 25-yard shot prevented Liverpool from succumbing to a second straight defeat after last weekend’s 2-0 loss at Newcastle United.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who had been involved in a number of touchline disputes with his West Brom counterpart Tony Pulis during a bad-tempered second half, greeted the equaliser by punching the air.

But the loss of Lovren will be of serious concern to the Liverpool manager, whose side looked set for defeat until Origi – the Croatian’s replacement – intervened.

Another significant talking point was the offside decision that denied Olsson just before the interval.

The West Brom defender thought he had given the visitors a 2-1 lead when he sneaked in unattended at the far post to volley in Gardner’s free-kick.