Liverpool Go Level At The Top

In the end, it was closer than it should have been, but Liverpool held on to record a 2-1 win over West Brom and go level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Without a defensive lapse that allowed the Baggies to get back into the game in the second half, a two-goal victory would have put them top on their own for the first time since May 2014.

That lapse, along with moments of profligacy that will frustrate Jurgen Klopp, perhaps provide the biggest questions over whether Liverpool are genuine title contenders this season. Still, to even be in the conversation is an indication of the progress made under the German in the past year.

After a stodgy opening in which West Brom actually looked marginally the better team (a little like saying a headache is better than an earache at that stage), Liverpool took the lead with a beautiful piece of play. A perfect Philippe Coutinho dummy created acres of space for Emre Can, who slipped it wide to Roberto Firmino, and his clipped cross landed on Sadio Mane’s right boot. As far as first-time volleyed finishes go it was relatively simple, but Mane deposited the ball into the bottom corner with the utmost efficiency.

Then, 15 minutes later, Coutinho was the man again. The Brazilian collected the ball on the left of the area and sent Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley on simultaneous wild goose chases with a perfectly-executed feint before tucking the ball inside the near post. It looked like a long evening ahead for West Brom at that stage.

Liverpool’s domination largely continued in the second half, and they were a little unlucky not to increase their lead in the early stages after the break, with one particularly committed block by Jonas Olsson preventing a certain goal for Can.

At points after that, they occasionally seemed too confident, sometimes showboating and recalling Klopp’s irritation after the first game of the season against Arsenal, when he bemoaned them giving the impression that the game was already won.

They were punished for not adding to their lead, as West Brom pulled a goal back with around 10 minutes remaining. A corner dropped to McAuley in the area, and he forced it home after being given far too much room by a Liverpool defence that still had their uncertain moments against a relatively blunt Baggies attack.

They might be disappointed not to have won by more, but this was another three points for a side who haven’t lost since the second weekend of the season.