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New West Brom manager Sam Allardyce came to Anfield looking for a point and left satisfied after Semi Ajayi’s first Premier League goal secured a 1-1 draw in the final as Liverpool squandered their dominance in a one-sided game.
There was no fairy tale comeback for the last man to record a league win on this ground in April 2017, but the way the game played out was classic ‘Big Sam’.
Having given up possession stripes, the Baggies were fortunate to enter the break only behind the brilliant starter Sadio Mane, but buoyed by an unusually rare foul from the leading edge of their hosts, who had edged Crystal Palace seven last time . grew up in its environment.
And as Liverpool’s possession gained them nothing after the break, Ajayi made up for his mistake by losing Mane to his goal by leading the tie in the 82nd minute.
In reality, the Baggies didn’t seem to end the Reds’ undefeated home run, now in 67 games, but they did enough to capitalize when it mattered, as Allardyce scored his first point in the battle against relegation he was designated for.
The poetic narrative encouraged the 66-year-old for a surprise, but the reality was much grimmer in the first half as the visitors conceded large amounts of ground and rarely showed any intention to participate until the ball reached their own. penalty area. .
Liverpool were allowed to play the ball with impunity as the Baggies fell into a 6-4-0 formation as soon as Jurgen Klopp’s team entered their field in an attempt to deny space in the danger areas.
Although that wasn’t much of a surprise, the lack of desire to even try to upset his opponents did not bode well.
And so it turned out after just 12 minutes when Mane’s predatory instincts tore through his low block.
Center-back Joel Matip took the air route over the massive ranks and the Senegalese international, after passing Ajayi’s wrong side, brilliantly controlled the pass to his chest before volleying into the bottom corner.
After no goals in nine games, Mane has now scored in back-to-back games and could have had a hat-trick at half time, directing a wide header and missing at least one other chance when he gave the West Brom defense had all sorts of problems despite being greatly outnumbered.
The goal made little difference in tactics and Allardyce will have been happy to come into the break after conceding just one shot on goal despite giving up 82% of possession with Jordan Henderson (85) and Curtis Jones (49) completing more passes. Than the whole side of West Brom.
Karlan Grant had West Brom’s first shot on target early in the 51st minute before Liverpool lost Matip to a groin problem in the hour, after midfielder Naby Keita was already ruled out of the team with another injury.
Rhys Williams, 19, replaced him, as he had during the October-November central crisis, and his first test saw him overtaken by Grant only for Alisson Becker to come to his rescue.
However, the keeper was unable to prevent Ajayi’s header from entering the post after an unforced error by Jones conceded a corner kick.
Roberto Firmino was denied a late winner when his header was knocked off the post by Sam Johnstone, but it was Allardyce celebrating on the final whistle.
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