Express & Star

Report and pics of Liverpool 2 West Brom 1

Published
Last updated

A Saido Berahino penalty in the second-half could not prevent West Brom going down 2-1 at Anfield today.

more

[gallery]

Berahino netted from the spot after being fouled on 56 minutes to cancel out Adam Lallana's opener on the stroke of half-time.

But Jordan Henderson struck the hosts' winner five minutes later to condemn Alan Irvine's men to a first loss in four games.

After a frenetic opening, Liverpool had the first opportunity to try their luck when Sebastien Pocogoli fouled Jordan Henderson on the edge of the area.

But Steven Gerrard sent the resultant free-kick straight into the Liverpool wall.

The Baggies forced a corner through the pace of Cristian Gamboa and, when they returned the ball into the danger area, Craig Dawson sent an ambitious overhead kick well wide.

Liverpool almost broke the deadlock when a jinking run from Raheem Sterling ended with him trying his luck from the edge of the box with a shot that deflected off Craig Gardner and was scrambled away by Ben Foster in the Baggies goal.

But Albion held their own and Berahino again looked their most likely source of a goal.

He was picked out by a fine ball from Gardner, only for his touch to let him down, allowing Simon Mignolet to clear.

Then he let fly with a 25-yard effort after a weaving run from midfield, with Mignolet diving to his right to claw the ball away.

And finally the young striker darted between two defenders to meet a left-wing cross from the dangerous Pocognoli, only to send his header over the bar.

Stephane Sessegnon then had a go at beating Mignolet from distance but the Belgian keeper made a routine save low down.

Then, just when Albion appeared set for half-time parity, Liverpool made the breakthrough in the final minute before the interval.

Lallana's quick feet took him away from James Morrison and, after collecting a fabulous return pass from Henderson, Lallana beat Foster with a curling, low finish.

Albion made a bright start to the second period and were level on 56 minutes, albeit through a controversial penalty.

Berahino was bundled to the ground by Dejan Lovren but replays appeared to show the offence took place just outside the box.

However, referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot and Berahino smashed the ball past Mignolet for his sixth goal of the season.

Albion were level for just five minutes before some poor defending allowed the hosts to regain their lead.

Sterling burst into the box and, when Oliver did not award a foul for an apparent shove by Graham Dorrans, play continued and the Reds found Henderson, who swept home a right-footed shot from the edge of the area.

Albion continued pressing and they could have drawn level with 14 minutes to go when Chris Brunt delivered a fine cross to the far post but Berahino's header was too close to Mignolet, who made a comfortable save.

And at the other end there was an easy stop for Foster to keep out a shot from Steven Gerrard.

Albion made all three substitutions in the search for another equaliser but they could not unlock the Reds' defence.