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Sadio Mane has scored six Premier League goals in 2020-21
Semi Ajayi scored a spectacular late draw against leader Liverpool to win struggling West Brom their first point since Sam Allardyce took over.
Jurgen Klopp’s team appeared to be five points clear at the top of the table as Sadio Mane dropped Joel Matip’s long ball forward and passed Sam Johnstone.
Liverpool dominated for long periods without increasing their lead, but the Baggies improved after the break and tied in the 83rd minute.
Ajayi leapt over the home defense to send a header to the post to provoke jubilant celebrations from the visiting team at Anfield.
Johnstone, the West Brom goalkeeper, made a magnificent save to deny Roberto Firmino a winner.
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Reds frustrated by Baggies
Liverpool players felt deep frustration full time after they lost league points at Anfield for the first time this season.
Klopp walked over to the Kop to acknowledge the 2,000 fans allowed on the ground as the home team headed to the locker room knowing they had missed two points.
It’s been a monumental 2020 with the Reds ending a 30-year wait for a first title, but this wasn’t the result they wanted in their last home game of 2020.
Klopp’s side dominated the first half, enjoying 84% possession, but failed to add to Senegalese striker Mane’s sumptuous finish.
Their dominance was highlighted by captain Jordan Henderson, who completed 39 more passes (85) than West Brom as a team (46) before the break.
But the visitors were more animated after the break and, after Liverpool lost defender Joel Matip to injury, the hosts allowed West Brom to back down.
Alisson did well to leave Karlan Grant out after the forward edged out Rhys Williams before Ajayi’s draw.
Johnstone’s save to keep Firmino out right at the end only added to Liverpool’s frustration, their lead at the top now being three points.
Fighting the West Brom show
It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for West Brom when Mane attacked early, but the Baggies dug deep to return to the Black Country with a crucial point.
This result will give Allardyce, the last opposition coach to win a Premier League match at Anfield, with Crystal Palace in April 2017, a great boost as he looks to keep his new team in the Premier League.
Defeated 3-0 at home by Aston Villa in their first game in charge, West Brom refused to sink against Liverpool and showed the spirit and character needed in a relegation battle.
After drawing 1-1 at Manchester City in Slaven Bilic’s last game in charge, the Baggies have now taken points away from the top two clubs from last season.
Allardyce, whose team is still five points from safety, will need help when the transfer market opens next month.
But this result against Liverpool who had won their last eight league games at home will lift spirits.
Whats Next?
Liverpool’s festive program continues in Newcastle on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), while West Brom hosts Leeds United on Tuesday (18:00 GMT).
Man of the match
Johnstone as Sam Johnstone
with an average of 8.14
- LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpoolWest BromWest Bromwich AlbionWest Bromwich Albion
LiverpoolAvgTeam number10Player nameManéAverage score
4.65
Squad Number 1 Player Name Alison Average Rating
4.55
Squad number 26 Player name Robertson Average rating
4.44
Squad number 3 Player name Fabinho Average rating
4.28
Squad Number 14 Player Name Henderson Average Rating
4.15
Squad number 32 Player name Matip Average rating
4.14
Squad number 9 Player name Roberto Firmino Average rating
4.07
Squad number 5 Player name Wijnaldum Average rating
3.86
Squad number 66 Player name Alexander-Arnold Average rating
3.82
Squad number 11 Player name Mohamed Salah Average rating
3.75
Squad Number 15 Player Name Oxlade-Chamberlain Average Rating
3.68
Squad number 46 Player name R Williams Average rating
3.63
Squad number 17 Player name Jones Average rating
3.41
Squad Number 27 Player Name Origi Average Rating
3.31
West Bromwich Albion Average Squad Number 1 Player Name Johnstone Average Rating
8.14
Squad Number 6 Player Name Ajayi Average Rating
7.93
Squad number 2 Player name Furlong Average rating
7.56
Squad number 27 Player name O’Shea Average rating
7.55
Squad Number 18 Player Name Gallagher Average Rating
7.50
Squad number 11 Player name Diangana Average rating
7.47
Squad number 12 Player name Matheus Pereira Average rating
7.47
Squad Number 7 Player Name Robinson Average Rating
7.44
Squad Number 3 Player Name Gibbs Average Rating
7.40
Squad Number 29 Player Name Award Average Rating
7.38
Squad number 10 Player name Phillips Average rating
7.37
Squad Number 19 Player Name Sawyers Average Rating
7.34
Squad Number 15 Player Name Austin Average Rating
7.24
Squad number 20 Player name Ivanovic Average rating
7.11
More to follow.
- Lineups Match Statistics Live Text
LineupsLiverpool
- 1Alisson66Alexander-Arnold32MatipReplaced by R Williamsat 60’minutes3Fabinho26Robertson17JonesReplaced byOxlade-Chamberlainat 83’minutes14Henderson5Wijnaldum11Salah9FirminoReplaced byOrigiat 90’minutes10Mané
Substitutes
- 7Milner15Oxlade-Chamberlain18Minamino23Shaqiri27Origi46R Williams47Phillips62Kelleher76N Williams
West brom
- 1Johnstone2Furlong6Ajayi27O’SheaBooked in 56mins3Gibbs7RobinsonReplaced by Costa Pereira in 73 ‘minutes10Phillips19Sawyers18GallagherReplaced byIvanovicat 90 + 1’minutes11Diangana29GrantSubstituted byAustin in 78’ minutes
Substitutes
- 12Costa Pereira13Grosicki15Austin16Harper17Krovinovic20Ivanovic22Peltier24Kipré25Button
Referee: Kevin Friend Attendance: 2,000Match StatsHome TeamLiverpoolAway TeamWest BromPossessionHome78% Away22% ShotsHome17Away5Thots on TargetHome2Away3CornersHome8Away3FoulsHome8Away5Live TextPost update
Match ends, Liverpool 1, West Bromwich Albion 1.
90 ‘+ 5’ Full time
Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, West Bromwich Albion 1.
90 ‘+ 5’Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Corner committed by Grady Diangana.
90 ‘+ 5’Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Corner committed by Matt Phillips.
90 ‘+ 2’Post update
Offside, West Bromwich Albion. Grady Diangana tried a through ball, but Matheus Pereira was caught offside.
90 ‘+ 1’ Change
Change at West Bromwich Albion. Branislav Ivanovic replaces Conor Gallagher.
90’Post update
Failed attempt. It goes too high. Rhys Williams (Liverpool) header from the center of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold with a cross after a corner kick.
90 ‘Substitution
Change, Liverpool. Divock Origi replaces Roberto Firmino.
89’Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Corner committed by Sam Johnstone.
89’Post update
Shot stopped brushing the left square. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) header from the center of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
88’Post update
Offside, West Bromwich Albion. Romaine Sawyers tried a through ball, but Matheus Pereira was caught offside.
86’Post update
Auction rejected. Attempt blocked. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sadio Mané.
84’Post update
Failed attempt. Where are you going! It goes high and bad on the right. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner following a corner.
83’Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Matheus Pereira.
83 ‘Substitution
Change, Liverpool. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Curtis Jones.
82’GOALGOAL!
Objective! Liverpool 1, West Bromwich Albion 1. Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion) header from the center of the box to the bottom left of the post. Assisted by Matheus Pereira with a cross into the box after a corner kick.
81’Post update
Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Corner committed by Rhys Williams.
79’Post update
Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Andrew Robertson.
78 ‘Substitution
Change at West Bromwich Albion. Charlie Austin replaces Karlan Grant.
78’Post update
Failed attempt. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
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Source: bbc.com
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