Roberto Firmino was the match winner once again as Liverpool came out from a tough tie against West Bromwich Albion with all three points.
The Reds know that their Champions League hopes are in their hands and have to keep their winning moments, especially in tough stadiums such as the Hawthorns. Tony Pulis does have a decent home record against Liverpool but Jurgen Klopp’s men were resilient and nullified the home side as Firmino nodded in the winner in stoppage time of the first half.
The win also lifted the Merseyside club to nine points clear of fifth-placed Everton, a sizeable buffer but they have to keep on winning as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United still have a number of games in hand on Liverpool.
Simon Mignolet – 8/10
The Belgian surprisingly didn’t struggle and had a great game. He saved smartly from an onrushing Matt Philips shot and was dominant in the air as well, punching the ball away with ease.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7.5/10
Clyne didn’t have a lot of input in the attack, though he was ever present to join the forwards. He did have 76% pass success rate and also won all his aerial duels and had two successful tackles.
Dejan Lovren – 7.5/10
Another player who surprisingly didn’t struggle, Lovren was immense at the back and ensured that West Brom barely had a proper shot on target throughout the game.
Joel Matip – 8/10
Matip certainly was one of the best players on the night as he registered a 90% success rate when it came to passes and also won three aerial duels and had three tackles to his name as well.
James Milner – 8/10
The Englishman’s passing was a bit off as he tried to link up with the attack but he was solid at the back and had the same number of successful aerial duel wins and tackles as Matip.
Emre Can – 8/10
Another great game from the German, Can was energetic and linked up extremely well with the attack. The former Leverkusen player won six aerial duels and also passed the ball with ease.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7.5/10
Wijnaldum was certainly in the wars today and even though he wasn’t his clinical best when it came to helping out the attack, the Dutch midfielder was great with possession and didn’t give away the ball.
Lucas Leiva – 7.5/10
Many would have expected Lucas to struggle against the West Brom team and their physicality but the Brazilian was dominant in midfield and was a tad unlucky when he picked up a booking. Surprisingly, he got the assist for the goal from Firmino, certainly something he will cherish.
Philippe Coutinho – 7/10
Coutinho did have some bright sparks in the game but he wasn’t his normal self and had three shots off target in the game before he was subbed off.
Roberto Firmino – 8.5/10
Firmino was once again excellent and was at the right spot as he nodded in the winner. The Brazilian’s work rate was once again on display and he is slowly becoming a fan favourite.
Divock Origi – 7.5/10
Origi didn’t have a lot to do in the attack but he was another player running around and harrying the West Brom defence to good effect.
Substitutes:
Daniel Sturridge – 6/10
The Englishman was brought on in the second half but didn’t have a lot of chances to show his ability in front of goal.
Alberto Moreno – 5/10
Moreno had a great chance to score in an empty goal as Ben Foster was in the other end of the pitch but the Spaniard shot wide and didn’t pass to any other Liverpool player. That miss didn’t prove to be costly but it was easier to score than to miss.
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