Rondon equalises as doomed Baggies stage
WEST BROM are virtually gone – about to lose their Premier League status for a record fourth time – while mighty Mo Salah is busily creating Liverpool history.
Barring a comeback to rival Lazarus, the Baggies will be relegated in another downer in the roller-coaster life of the Midlands club.
And that’s despite a gutsy comeback at home and a late equaliser from Salomon Rondon for a precious point.
Sadly too late, it is clear that they have rediscovered their mojo under caretaker boss Darren Moore, which may well help to raise his stock when it comes to the selection of a permanent boss.
But the serious damage inflicted by the abysmal reign of Alan Pardew has proved irreparable.
For Liverpool, however, it’s about hitting the European heights again as they contemplate a Champions League semi-final against Roma. Despite some first-team players being rested or on the bench – with a top-four place practically assured and that semi imminent – Salah was still selected to play from the start
The Egyptian is Jurgen Klopp’s Duracell bunny, ready to run and run – and, apparently, without needing to recharge those batteries.
As such, he was rewarded with his 31st Premier League goal to hoist him level with Luis Suarez, the last Liverpool player to reach that mark in a season.
Salah also shares parity with Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo, the biggest total reached in a 38 game Premier League campaign – and there are still a few games to come. “I’m happy for Mo. They are great names in the game. But, like Mo, we want to win games,” said a frustrated Klopp. It’s now 41 goals for Salah in all competitions – just six behind the all-time club record of Ian Rush. Nevertheless, some of the gloss of Salah’s latest exploit was definitely removed by West Brom’s fighting finale, which produced two goals in the last 11 minutes to claw back a 2-0 deficit. Salah was seen in a lengthy conversation, following the final whistle, with fellow Egyptian Ahmed Hegazi. Maybe he was telling him that the Baggies defender was lucky to remain on the pitch after an off-theball punch into Danny Ings’ body early in the second half. Klopp insisted: “It is a red card You see it, I see it, it is not a problem. It is only important what three or four gentleman decide.”
It was also a day to remember for Ings for a different reason.
Two-and-a-half years without a Premier League goal is enough to send you over the edge – especially if you are a striker.
But, despite being ravaged by serious injuries, the former Burnley striker has never thrown in the towel.
Forget Tuesday night, the match at The Hawthorns was the big one for the 25-year-old.
A short corner routine in the fourth minute, involving James Milner and Sadio Mane, saw the latter fire in a low cross, which fell for Ings to rifle home.
And when you’ve just scored a first Premier League goal in 930 days, it wouldn’t matter if it had come against Forest Green – it’s time to celebrate.
Cue pandemonium surrounding Ings as he wheeled away in ecstasy. His last