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Liverpool are still top-ranked in the league, but got the full deal from Sam Allardyce in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with West Brom.
It was a disappointing result for Jurgen Klopp and his men, with the opportunity to stretch their lead over Everton wasted.
The Blues are now three points behind the Reds before hosting Manchester City tonight.
Sadio Mane gave Liverpool an early lead in a comfortable opening period of the match.
But Allardyce’s tactics kept West Brom in the game and Semi Ajayi earned them a welcome point with a late header.
Two problems were exposed for Liverpool: the injury situation, especially in the rear, and a run of poor results against the wingers at the base of the table.
The broader media picked up on both issues in their analysis of the party.
Here’s what was written about the showdown at Anfield …
‘Allardyce does it again to provide unexpected frustration’
Andy Hunter in The Guardian: Sam Allardyce’s reputation is not based on Liverpool’s annoyance at Anfield, but he has developed an uncanny ability to do just that. The last visiting coach to win a Premier League game here, more than three years and 67 games ago, became the first to deny champions Jurgen Klopp all three points at home this season as West Brom managed a valuable draw in their attempt to get out of the relegation zone.
Liverpool had previously lost just two points out of a possible 48 at Anfield during 2020, but their final game of the year at home turned out to be one of unexpected frustration. In terms of performance and result.
Joel Matip stopped with abduction tension and immediately signaled to the bench that he could not continue. Liverpool’s injury woes have started to ease as of late, as evidenced by the return of James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri to a strong and experienced substitute roster that includes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it’s the concentration of hits in central defense that you have tried the resources.
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‘Allardyce’s plan is clear, but Liverpool lose opportunity’
Chris Bascombe for the Telegraph: At first there was an extraordinary visual representation of Allardyce’s plan. During the first half, Liverpool’s defensive line was practically on the edge of West Brom’s penalty area. Alisson, such an isolated figure on stage that you wondered if he was going to perform ‘Lonely This Christmas’, often found himself a couple of meters from the center circle. The Brazilian exited the player tunnel five minutes before his teammates at the start of the second to keep warm.
Liverpool are still first but will curse the missed opportunity to put more distance between them and the group. Here he had the opportunity to make a statement, guaranteeing that they will end the year as they started it, at the top of the league while others wonder what will stop them. Instead, they offered the hunters hope.
That it should be Allardyce who stopped the growing momentum, he also secured a draw on his last visit to the league when the Everton coach further soured Anfield’s mood.
‘Full-time frustration for Liverpool’
Neil Johnston for the BBC: Liverpool players felt deep frustration full time after they lost league points at Anfield for the first time this season.
Klopp, who was booked during the second half by referee Kevin Friend for protesting a decision, 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 has been a monumental 2020 with the Reds ending a 30-year wait for a league title, but this was not 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.
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‘No extenuating circumstances for Liverpool as West Brom buzzes’
Neil Atkinson from Anfield Wrap: Two fell. More than any so far this season, two have fallen. It’s a huge missed opportunity for Liverpool after a second half that lost faith due to lack of quality. I wish there were more. I wish there were extenuating circumstances, but there aren’t.
Liverpool sits with just three points from West Brom, Fulham and Brighton. There is a bit of mythology to the effect that there are no easy games in this league. There aren’t any, but there are easier games. There are three of them.
It’s okay not to win. It’s okay to take a beating, frankly. It’s okay to go hunting for victory. But it is not good to be lazy, to let one side leave this field not exhausted by the company. West Brom will be buzzing on the bus back, ready by the middle of the week.
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