West Brom have had a typically solid season so far, but despite their stingy reputation, a trip to Anfield was always going to be difficult.
They were destroyed in the first half, but steadied the ship and hit back in the second, just falling short of collecting an unlikely point. They wouldn’t have deserved the point, as the Reds outplayed them in all departments, but it was a good second half effort.
So how did their players rate?
Ben Forster – 6
Made up for a shocking kick in the first half, which led to Coutinho’s goal, with a stunning save to deny Lovren from a header that would have killed the game. Not as good as he was against Spurs, but his saves kept the Baggies in the game.
Craig Dawson – 5
Had the unenviable task of playing full back against Coutinho, but didn’t really have any answer to Liverpool’s quikc movement. Made a couple of good blocks but had very little impact on the game.
Jonas Olsson – 6
Initially struggled after a tough return to the team for a suspended Jonny Evans, but grew into the game and ended up marshalling the defence pretty well. His block from Can was crucial in keeping the score down.
Gareth McAuley – 6
Did about as well as could be expected against the Reds’ brilliant attack, and got his side back in the game with a close range finish. Made a very good block to deny Firmino a third goal and was probably West Brom’s best performer on the night.
Allan Nyom – 4
Mane had his work cut out in one on one situations, but the Reds constantly got in behind Nyom when on the attack. His positioning for the Senegalese’ opening goal, was abysmal, and really cost his side.
Claudio Yacob – 5
Won the ball back on many occasions, a game high 5 in the first half, but limited his performance to one half thanks to a silly booking. Despite all the regains of possession, he still struggled to stop Liverpool’s rampant attack, and the team improved when he was withdrawn.
Darren Fletcher – 4
Usuaully such a solid performer, Fletcher’s insistence on passing backwards killed any chance of West Brom getting in the game, and his chipped pass back to Foster directly contributed to Coutinho’s goal. Not a great day for him.
Matt Phillips – 5
Didn’t really have much chance to get forward, and was marshaled well by Milner, but was slightly more threatening than McClean on the other wing. Worked hard for no reward.
Nacer Chadli – 6
Always looked the most likely to make something happen, and put the effort in to regain the ball on several occasions. Scooped an effort wide in what was West Brom’s first effort in the second half as he began to exert more of an influence.
James McClean – 4
Although he had to stay back and deal with the threat of Clyne, McClean didn’t really add anything to West Brom’s defence. Worse than that, he didn’t beat his fullback once. A poor display.
Salomon Rondon – 5
Couldn’t really do anything about the lack of service, but also didn’t provide the sort of energy that West Brom needed to get out of their defensive state more often. Was effectively dealt with by Lovren and Matip.
Substitutions
Chris Brunt (for Yacob 46′) – 6
Came on for the second half and helped West Brom steady the ship. Added a bit more of a brain in midfield and denied Liverpool some of the spaces they were getting into in the opening half. A good display.
James Morrison (for Phillips 51′) – 6
Came into the middle of midfield, along with Brunt, helping to tighten up his team at the back. Also got forward, flashing an effort just wide.
Hal Robson-Kanu (for McClean 65′) – 6
Didn’t have a lot of finesse in the final third, but caused problems with his pace and energy. West Brom only started to pick up going forward after his introduction.