‘Seen a thousand times’: Steve McManaman issues damning verdict on Liverpool display

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Liverpool icon Steve McManaman has issued a damning verdict on the Reds’ performance in Sunday’s Premier League draw.

Jurgen Klopp’s charges hosted West Brom at Anfield and looked on course for another victory after Sadio Mane’s 12th-minute opener.

The Reds held on to their lead going into the latter stages of the game but Semi Ajayi’s equaliser eight minutes from time forced a share of the spoils.

While Liverpool were dominant in the first half, West Brom did well to get to the break one down, and then made the most of their opportunity as the Reds took the foot off the gas.

“Liverpool were really, really poor in the second half,” McManaman said on Optus Sport after the game.

“No energy at all, no ideas. The big players didn’t stand up. It was a disappointing second half and West Brom were excellent.

“Some of the big players didn’t perform, Salah didn’t play well and there was no cutting edge and they got caught which happens and we’ve seen a thousand times. They have to be more clinical.”

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Liverpool are unstoppable on their day, but over the course of a 50-plus game season, there will be individual and team displays that don’t match up to those expectations, which was the case against West Brom.

However, playing against a Sam Allardyce side is always tricky – he was the last Premier League manager to leave Anfield with all three points, back in 2017 with Crystal Palace – and the Reds played right into the Baggies’ hands.

A quick turnaround follows as Liverpool head to Newcastle on Wednesday and Southampton on Monday, so hopefully Klopp and co can put this frustrating result behind them right away.