BECK AND CALLS
KEEPER SEALS DRAMATIC WIN AS BIG SAM BEMOANS DECISIONS
GOALKEEPER Alisson headed a sensational stoppage-time winner at West Brom yesterday to keep Liverpool’s Champions League hopes alive.
Just as the Reds’ top-four chances looked virtually over, the Brazil international powered in Trent AlexanderArnold’s corner to clinch a 2-1 win.
He was mobbed by his team-mates after his shock goal moved Liverpool to within a point of fourth-placed Chelsea with two Premier League games left.
Mohamed Salah had earlier cancelled out Hal Robson-Kanu’s first top-flight goal for almost four years.
Roberto Firmino hit the post and Sadio Mane had a goal disallowed for offside as relegated Albion gave as good as they got.
Kyle Bartley saw his goal ruled out – a decision that infuriated Baggies boss Sam Allardyce – as the hosts nearly caused an upset before Alisson’s heroics.
He becomes the sixth goalkeeper to score in the Premier League, following
Peter Schmeichel, Brad Friedel, Paul Robinson, Tim Howard and Asmir Begovic.
West Brom went in front after 15 minutes, with Semi Ajayi’s clearance falling to Matheus Pereira who slipped in Robson-Kanu to find the bottom corner for his first league goal since November 2017.
Mane shot wide from eight yards, before the leveller just after the halfhour mark. Mane set up Salah, who curled into the bottom corner.
It was the striker’s 22nd goal of the season and drew him level with Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.
Two minutes later Firmino hit the post following Mane’s backheel. Jurgen Klopp’s side continued to press after the break and Mane’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag after he converted Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
With 20 minutes left came a key moment, Bartley heading in Conor Gallagher’s corner, with Matt Phillips adjudged to be offside and interfering.
Liverpool chased a winner, with Alexander-Arnold shooting wastefully over and home goalkeeper Sam Johnstone turning Thiago’s drive behind.
And Alisson had the extraordinary final word when he arrived to meet Alexander-Arnold’s corner and head home.
On his team’s disallowed goal, Allardyce said: ‘There’s no way, with Matt Phillips in front of the goalie or not, that goalkeeper would have saved that ball. It’s disappointing.
‘We switched off in the last few seconds of the game and allowed their goalkeeper to get the winner.’