Tony Pulis plotting to keep record with West Brom against Liverpool

Three wins and five draws spanning spells at Stoke, Crystal Palace and Albion suggest the Welshman's well-drilled defences are well adept at frustrating the Reds.

"I was hoping you wouldn't bring that up!" he laughed this week, worried if acknowledging the run would jinx it. "Let's hope that continues this weekend as well."

Pulis refused to reveal the secret behind his bogey status, saying – 'I'm not going to tell you,' – but it's clear to see why his rigid teams can sometimes bloody the noses of Liverpool's fluid movers.

This meeting is perhaps the biggest clash of styles in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp's side are the most unpredictable attackers in the top tier, with the most freedom of movement in the final third.

Albion are arguably the best team in the league without the ball.

"We work on certain things and we understand what we're trying to do as a group," said Pulis. "The biggest thing is to make sure everyone understands where they should be in their starting positions and when one goes, it usually is the switch to press."

The Baggies have been devastating on the counter-attack at times this season, particularly at The Hawthorns, and Pulis puts particular emphasis on the first pass after winning possession.

But Liverpool press high and try and win the ball back in advanced positions, so he is expecting a frantic scurry for possession in Albion's half tomorrow.

"When we get the ball we've got to play through the pitch quickly like we did against Arsenal," said Pulis. "They will push on to us so that first pass from the turnover is important. If you're not switched on, and not clever enough when you win that ball back, they can cause you problems.

"They're very good at taking it off you again and within two or three passes, scoring goals.

"So it's a different way of coping against the bigger clubs. They're very different to Arsenal in some respects. It's going to be very high tempo – they put you under enormous pressure in certain areas."

Crucial to that counter-attacking style will be the pace of Matt Phillips, who played 45 minutes against Watford on his comeback from a hamstring injury and then an hour against Southampton.

Pulis is hoping his flying winger will be able to last longer this Sunday, and he's also contemplating reinstating Chris Brunt into the side.

If the counter-attacks don't work, the set-pieces might. Much has been made of Liverpool's frailty from dead-balls.

Klopp's team have conceded six goals from corners this season, more than any other top-six side, and no team in the league scores more from set-plays than the Baggies.

But Pulis is not underestimating Liverpool in that department, particularly if Klopp sticks with the back three that played at Stoke.

"We've watched tapes back again in the last couple of days and they're very good on set-plays themselves," he said. "If they go with the three centre-halves they're a big team and they can be really dangerous.

"I think both boxes will have to be defended well off set-plays."

But with Liverpool unbeaten in their last six games, it's a battle Albion need to win if Pulis is going to hold on to his record.