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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: West Brom v Liverpool, Premier League

Can Liverpool continue their fightback towards a top four place?

IT HAS BEEN a tough week for Liverpool after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and Brendan Rodgers could really do with a win today. Fifth-placed Liverpool take on West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Is this the game to get the Reds back on track?

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Hello and welcome to our liveblog of West Brom v Liverpool.

Here are the two line-ups for this afternoon’s encounter.

 

Saido Berahino has been linked with Liverpool throughout the season. With Mario Balotelli performing poorly in this campaign, this might be an audition for the Baggies striker.

The two teams directly below Liverpool are actually playing out a cracker at the moment.

It is currently 2-2 between Southampton and Spurs at St Mary’s. 
https://vine.co/v/eWAQ1JIzllx

With Man City’s recent poor form, there is a small chance that Liverpool might catch them in fourth place. However, the champions have a relatively easy run-in so they will likely still finish in the Champions League places.

If you are thinking of having a bet, West Brom are 3/1, Liverpool are 19/20 and the draw is 5/2.

BREAKING: There has been a seismic odds shift ahead of the game, akin to medium-sized earthquake.

We are off at the Hawthorns!

It will be interesting to see how Jordan Ibe plays for Liverpool. The youngster was very impressive in the Merseyside derby earlier in the season.

Five minutes in and there hasn’t been a whole lot of action yet. Neither team are playing with much urgency at the moment.

Sterling whips in a teasing cross but there is nobody in the box to meet it. Liverpool are upping the tempo gradually.

Coutinho has gotten on the ball regularly so far. When the game is in a lull, you want players to demand the ball and the Brazilian is doing that.

Liverpool have had 78% possession so far but besides the Sterling cross they haven’t threatened.

Raheem Sterling tries to take on Craig Gardiner down the left wing but the midfielder makes a crunching tackle to win the ball.

Raheem Sterling teed up Balotelli just outside the box but the Italian’s strike was blocked by Gardiner.

Raheem Sterling cut inside on the left wing beautifully but just couldn’t set himself for a shot and the chance was lost.

Meanwhile, West Brom have yet to have a meaningful touch of the ball.

The atmosphere is almost like a training ground match at the moment. Liverpool are still knocking the ball around at their leisure.

First chance for West Brom as Berahino robs Glen Johnson of possession on the right wing but the striker takes a heavy touch and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Liverpool have defended well so far. Berahino has looked dangerous but they haven’t given him much room.

Jordan Henderson makes a nice run into the box but his cross is cleared to Balotelli on the edge. The striker then loses his footing and West Brom clear.

Gerrard goes very close from a free kick just outside the box. His shot is a foot too high.

Myhill’s sloppy clearance is almost punished by Coutinho as the Brazilian shoots from 45 yards. It was an audacious attempt and it drifts about five yards wide.

Can has a go from long-range this time, but his strike goes miles wide. Still waiting for a moment of real quality to bring this game to life.

Okay… it’s time to be frank… the lackadaisical pace of this game is slowly turning me against football.

Balotelli lets fly this time but once again, the ball sails harmlessly wide.

Gardiner gets the ball in an advanced area but his cross is poor and beats everyone.

West Brom are slowly coming into the game more and more. Liverpool haven’t enjoyed as much possession in the last ten minutes. Still not many chances though.

Gardiner and Berahino both got crosses into the Liverpool box but neither man was able to pick out a team-mate.

HT West Brom 0-0 Liverpool

The half ends with Balotelli blasting a free kick against the wall. Hopefully the second 45 serves up something better for us.

We are off in the second half!

Unfortunately the second half is similar to the first 45 so far. Neither team is taking charge at the moment.

Raheem Sterling is cut down on the left wing and Liverpool have a free.

But West Brom head the danger away.

West Brom have their best chance of the match but Dawson heads over after a Gardiner free kick.

Myhill makes a great save to deny Coutinho and just when it looks like Henderson will open the scoring, Lescott makes a heroic block.

Gardiner has been West Brom’s biggest threat so far, and he just went close. Chris Brunt swung a the ball in from the left wing and it barely eluded the midfielder.

Coutinho gets away a deflected shot from 25 yards but Myhill holds it.

Off the post! Jordan Ibe accelerates past Lescott and rattles the frame of the goal. West Brom then go down the other end and Morrison sees his effort cleared off the line by Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool have a good spell of possession around the West Brom box but Lescott steps in excellently to win the ball.

20 minutes to go now and we are still waiting for our first goal. Adam Lallana and Fabio Borini are waiting to come on for Liverpool.

It hasn’t been Balotelli’s day again today. He has been caught in possession a few times and has yet to hit the target with one of his five or six shots.

Lallana has already looked lively. He has driven at the West Brom defence twice but hasn’t had a chance on goal yet.

Brown Ideye has just forced West Brom’s first corner.

Henderson gets to the cross first and heads it away.

The commentators have had high praise for Dejan Lovren’s performance. In fairness to the Croatian, he has been very strong at the back and denied Berahino any space.

Coutinho and Gerrard both go close but the Brazilian’s shot goes just wide and Steive G’s strike is held by Myhill.

Liverpool look the more likely to grab a late goal. Lallana continues to ask questions of the West Brom defence.

No chances in the last few minutes. Liverpool are trying hard but are struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.

Mignolet makes his first save of the game after Ideye fires a low shot at the left hand post.

Into injury time and we have four minutes of additional time.

Gerrard floats a pass into the box but it is too high for everyone and it goes out for a goal kick.

FT West Brom 0-0 Liverpool

That’s full time in what was a very dull affair. Liverpool dominated but couldn’t break down the Baggies’ defence. That is all for our liveblog today. Thanks for joining me and make sure to tune into the site later this afternoon for all the reaction from this afternoon’s games.

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