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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v West Brom, Premier League

Jurgen Klopp’s side jump up to second in the Premier League thanks to a 2-1 win.

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Liverpool’s Premier League encounter against West Brom.

A two-goal win for the Reds will see them top of the Premier League table tonight.

Team news to follow.

One change for Liverpool from Monday’s game against Manchester United with Adam Lallana replacing Daniel Sturridge. Roberto Firmino will lead the line.

Georginio Wijnaldum only fit enough for the bench.

Also the one change for West Brom, with Jonas Olsson coming in for the suspended Jonny Evans in central defence. Ireland’s James McClean starts.

WBA: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Nyom; Phillips, Yacob, Fletcher (c), McClean; Chadli; Rondon.

Subs: Myhill; Galloway, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Leko, Robson-Kanu.

Ah, remember this from last season?

Liverpool draw

Liverpool are unbeaten in six Premier League games against the Baggies, however the last four have ended in a draw.

Hopefully they are more accurate tonight:

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

Expectations are high on Merseyside as shown when the team bus arrived earlier:

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

I’m sure you will have plenty to say on this match and you can get in contact via Twitter, Facebookemail me at shanec@the42.ie or in the comments section below.

West Brom get the match started. Game on!

No penalty!

Mane goes looking for a spot kick in the West Brom box by sticking his leg in-between those of defender Nyom after a good run from the attacker.

But referee Neil Swarbrick says free out.

West Brom sitting quite deep at the moment. The pace of McClean, Chadli and Rondon on the counter will be key if they are to have any joy this evening.

First attack from the Baggies.

Fletcher links up with Dawson down the right flank, but there is too much whiz on the defender’s cross, despite four West Brom players lingering in the Liverpool penalty area.

When Liverpool have the ball you can see West Brom employing six across the 18-yard box with Phillips and McClean adding extra defensive cover.

See what you did, Mourinho?

The away side were nearly presented with the best chance of the game.

Phillips starts a run from his own half and he shifts the ball to Chadli, but the former Tottenham man’s pass to Rondon is cut out by the heel of Firmino, who admirably chased back.

OVER: Milner can’t keep his header down from a teasing Henderson cross.

GOAL: Liverpool 1-0 WBA (Mane 21′)

Wonderful goal from Liverpool.

A superb finish from Mane, but it’s just as much about his teammates as it his about the former Southampton man.

A lovely Coutinho dummy from a Milner pass sets Can free at the halfway line, the German then finds Firmino who crosses first time to find Mane to score his fourth goal of the season.

CHANCE: Lovely play by Clyne who beats McClean down the right side, and the right-back drives a teasing ball in front of the West Brom goal, but no Liverpool player can get a foot on the end of it.

Hold on to your hats!

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

Tony is not happy with what he is seeing at the moment.

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

GOAL: Liverpool 2-0 West Brom (Coutinho 35′)

A great goal from a great player. Liverpool double their lead.

A poor clearance from Foster after an awkward back pass by Fletcher falls to Mane, and he finds Coutinho who cuts into the area which fools both Dawson and McAuley.

The Brazilian then fires his shot past the West Brom goalkeeper at his near post.

As it stands, Liverpool will sit top of the Premier League table this evening.

Just tallying the number of West Brom shots so far……that will be none.

YELLOW CARD: Booking for Yacob and he will now be suspended for West Brom’s next match, after mouthing off to the referee.

HT: Liverpool 2-0 West Brom

A perfect first 45 for Liverpool. It should be game over unless Tony Pulis can pull something out of that hat of his.

Liverpool enjoyed 72% of possession in the first period but their two goals came from their only shots on target.

Half-time change for West Brom with Brunt replacing the booked Yacob.

Here we go with the second-half.

Nearly a chance for Firmino after a Coutinho through ball, but Foster was alert and came sprinting off his line before the attacker could reach it.

SUB: Second change for West Brom with Morrison replacing Phillips.

I may be speaking prematurely, but I think West Brom would be happy to lose 2-0, at this stage.

BLOCK: Mane on the counter sets up Coutinho who in turn finds Firmino, but a brilliant last-gasp block from McAuley prevents a third from the Brazilian.

McClean is then booked for a late tackle.

SAVE: Wonderful save by Foster from a Lovren header that looked certain to find the back of the net.

SUB: Final change for West Brom with Robson-Kanu coming on for McClean.

Not much attacking action for the Derryman this evening.

CHANCE: Fantastic block from Olsson to deny Liverpool a third.

A perfectly-weighted ball from Milner sets Coutinho free, he then finds Can in the box, but the Swedish defender throws his body in front of the German’s goal-bound effort.

OVER: A scooped effort by Chadli clears the crossbar from West Brom’s first corner of the game.

I forgot Karius was playing.

A happy owner.

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

WIDE: West Brom slowly edging themselves into this one, but a shot from Morrison on the edge of the box goes harmlessly wide.

Gloves off.

Rooney

SUB: Wijnaldum comes on for the impressive Lallana.

GOAL: Liverpool 2-1 West Brom (McAuley 81′)

Game on!

West Brom have barely threatened to shoot never mind score, but they are right back in this one thanks to the Northern Ireland international.

The defender rattles one to the roof of the net from a Brunt corner, after the ball initially fell kindly to him off his shoulder.

SAVE: Foster with a brilliant save to deny Firmino from close range.

BLOCK: Lovren gets his body in the way of a Chadli shot after the ball dropped perfectly to him on the edge of the box.

End-to-end at the moment.

SUB: Coutinho is replaced by Lucas.

Klopp shutting up shop.

As it stands, Liverpool won’t top the table but getting the three points is the priority now.

Three minutes to be added on.

SUB: Origi is the final change and he takes the place of Mane.

Liverpool hanging on as West Brom pump the ball into the box. 30 seconds to go.

WIDE: Wijnaldum beats Foster but his curling effort is just off target.

FT: Liverpool 2-1 West Brom

Liverpool were so comfortable for the vast majority of this match but that late goal from McAuley made it a nervy last few minutes.

The Reds are not top tonight but they do jump up to second, behind Arsenal only on goal difference.

Thanks for joining me tonight and we will have all the reaction from Anfield throughout the evening.

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