Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho scored a pair of crackers to give Liverpool a 2-1 win over West Brom on Saturday but Gareth McAuley denied them a place at the top of the Premier League.
The impressive Merseysiders needed to win by at least two goals at Anfield if they were to climb to the summit of English football for the first time since May 2014.
They were on course until nine minutes from time when McAuley volleyed in from close range for West Brom following a Chris Brunt corner that Craig Dawson had touched into his path.
The result meant Liverpool moved up into second place, with Arsenal just ahead on goal difference.
However, Manchester City will regain top spot if they avoid defeat against Southampton on Sunday.
Liverpool’s win at least allowed manager Jurgen Klopp to mark the first anniversary of his maiden game in charge of the Reds with a victory.
The colourful German manager’s side were 2-0 up inside 35 minutes thanks to two goals of high quality.
Liverpool went ahead in the 21st minute when Emre Can’s pass sent Roberto Firmino into the West Brom area and his accurate far-post cross was controlled by Mane, who finished confidently for his fourth goal of the season.
If that was good the second goal was even better.
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Fosters clearance struck team-mate Darren Fletcher and gifted the ball to Mane and the goalscorer found Coutinho.
The Brazilian still had plenty of work to do, but a superb dummy left defenders Dawson and McAuley on their backsides before Coutinho drove an unstoppable, low shot in at the near post.
Liverpool’s dominance had been complete in that opening period, apart from a mistake which gifted the ball to Salomon Rondon for a counter-attack which ended when Joel Matip effectively closed down Matt Phillips.
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