YULE SLOG FOR KLOPP
A week after a seven-goal riot Reds struggle to penetrate Big Sam’s 5-5-0 safety blanket
LIVERPOOL went from preChristmas feast to famine as the ghost of frustration past returned to haunt them.
Sam Allardyce was the last manager to win a Premier League game here at Anfield way back in 2017 when he supervised a smash-and-grab raid to win 2-1 with Crystal Palace.
And while he couldn’t quite repeat that stunning feat this time around with new club West Brom, he still did what only two sides had done in the last 18 months here, which was to take a priceless point off the champions.
It was a tough night for Jurgen Klopp and his side, who were frustrated to the point of losing their composure by the 5-5-0 formation West Brom deployed in the first half. But as awful as it was to witness, it worked, with the ultra-defensive approach restricting Liverpool to just two shots on target, and a single Sadio Mane first-half goal.
West Brom had three shots on target, more than the home side, which offered a telling story on a night when Liverpool enjoyed 78 per cent possession. But, a week after putting seven past Crystal Palace, they could not turn that dominance into goals, and Al lardyce gave his disciplined team more rein to counter-attack after the break.
It paid spectacular dividends with a priceless point in what will be a dogged relegation fight.
The goal came when Semi Ajayi – from a set-piece eight minutes from time – rose highest to nod into the net off Alisson’s post.
Only then did Klopp’s men rouse themselves. The German sent on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to provide something different to the lethargy. And they could have sealed what would have been a fortunate victory in the closing moments when Roberto Firmino escaped his marker to power in a free header just six yards out – only for Sam Johnstone in the West Brom goal to somehow tip away.
It means Liverpool spurned the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, and they now stand just three points clear of Everton in second. More worryingly, Manchester City are only six points behind, with a game in hand.
Klopp seemed as frustrated as his players, taking his anger out on the referee Kevin Fri end, who seemed to ignore the spoi l i ng tactics the visitors adopted.
It was exactly what was ex
Referee: Kevin Friend
pected from Allardyce but, given the short time he has had to work with his new players, their organisation was impressive.
They will point to chances too. Even before Ajayi equalised, they had an opportunity to level when Karlan Grant raced through but Alisson blocked.
The Brazilian could do nothing in the 82nd minute, though. The Baggies worked a short corner which allowed Matheus Pereira to swing a fine ball in the from right, which Ajayi met with power. The ball crashed against the post and took a wicked bounce which took it back towards the net for his first goal for the club.
Liverpool produced d little. Mane did find the net with a brilliant turn and fine finish from Joel Matip’s fierce ball, but it wasn’t enough from the champions, who will have to do better against this type of defending.
And to make matters ers worse, centre-half Matip atip limped off with a groin roin problem that could force Liverpool into the January nuary transfer window.
BIG MOMENTS Mane scores, Matip is injured, Klopp sees yellow and Johnstone foils Firmino