Liverpool’s incredible Champions League run will have a massive test on Tuesday night when they will host AS Roma in the semi-final first leg tie at Anfield. However, they still had some unfinished business left in the Premier League season and needed to grab a few more points to ensure a ‘top four’ finish required to qualify for next season’s Champions League football. They travelled to the Hawthorns this afternoon to encounter bottom-placed West Bromwich Albion who have little hope to stay up in the league but scripted a stunning victory last week against Manchester United at Old Trafford defying the odds.
The Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, rested a few of his key resources versus the Baggies in order to keep them fit and fresh for the midweek fixture but was expecting a tough contest against a ‘bogey’ side who knocked them out of the FA Cup back in January and also held to a scoreless draw – both at Anfield.
The game, however, offered a late surprise when the Baggies, down by two goals, came back sensationally and scored twice to make it all square to keep slightest of survival hope alive at the Hawthorns.
Below are the Liverpool players rated in their 2-2 draw against West Brom.
Loris Karius: 6
Made some routine stops, dealt well with West Brom’s long balls and set-pieces on most occasions but failed to defend the lead and conceded two late goals to throw away an easy win. Saved his side a couple of times with prompt outings to clear out the sloppy backpasses from the defenders.
Joe Gomez: 4
Returned from injury but had a horrendous display all afternoon. He was not only erroneous but also too casual defensively when his side needed to defend the lead. Cost his side silly freekicks and allowed the Baggies to script a late comeback. Liverpool badly missed Trent Alexander-Arnold who was rested for the Roma game.
Virgil van Dijk: 7
Despite late shambles from Liverpool, the Dutchman was the only bright spark of a gloomy defensive line once again as he kept on defending long balls with towering headers.
Ragnar Klavan: 5.5
Was sloppy at times, looked nervy but kept on contesting the long balls and set-pieces against West Brom’s physicality.
Alberto Moreno: 4.5
A dreadful performance from the Spaniard showed why he lost his place to Andrew Robertson. Moreno did not offer much going forward, kept Mane isolated down the flank, and struggled against Matt Phillips all afternoon.
Jordan Henderson: 6.5
The skipper had a decent first half but failed to keep his side motivated after conceding late as they eventually conceded again to spoil a two-goal lead.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7
Held the ball in Liverpool’s early opener. Was calm and composed in midfield but struggled in the second half against the physicality of West Brom players who kept on winning challenges and throwing bodies into the box in search of a late resurgence and got succeeded.
James Milner: 6
Was not at his best in the middle of the park, as he lost the ball dangerously a few times and was not accurate while passing the ball high up the pitch.
Mohamed Salah: 8
Did not have enough opportunities in front of goal but netted from his first on-target effort in the second half as he picked up Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ball and chipped into the back of the net to earn his side a two-goal lead and becomes Premier League’s highest scorer of a season with three games remaining. Was replaced by Dejan Lovren late in the game.
Sadio Mane: 7
Played his part in the early opener of Danny Ings but struggled to create enough chances down the left due to the lack of proper support from Alberto Moreno up front. Was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain midway through the second half.
Danny Ings: 7.5
Two years of injury could not back the Englishman down as he scored his first goal in 2.5 years time to earn his side an early lead. He, however, failed to beat Ben Foster one-on-one late in the first-half and was also denied a penalty despite being brought down inside the box by Craig Dawson. Was replaced by Roberto Firmino midway through the second half.
Substitutes
Roberto Firmino: 6
Played in a wide role, played his part in Salah’s goal but looked ineffective in the attacking third from the counter-attacking movements late in the game.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7
Crating impact week in week out as he was introduced late in the game but assisted Salah in Liverpool’s second in the afternoon.
Dejan Lovren: 5
Was brought in place of Salah to defend the one-goal lead but looked sloppy in the final few minutes of the game.
