Liverpool 2 WBA 1: Anxious Liverpool stumble over the winning line

The fashion in which Liverpool ground out this victory will hopefully do Brendan Rodgers team some good in the long run.  The free-flowing football was never rarely on show with only a flash of brilliance by Lallana and the perseverance of the energetic Henderson dragging Liverpool out of the mire against a lively West Bromwich Albion.

It was still a performance of some fortitude coming off the back of a Champions League defeat and against the expectation of critics who claimed we would struggle with more than one game a week and beating a West Brom side having amassed three successive victories.

With the ink still drying on his new five year contract, Daniel Sturridge watched on as the sullen faced Mario Balotelli sat on the bench replaced by Rickie Lambert for his first start for Liverpool in the Premier League.  Coutinho retained his place following the midweek loss to Basle and Moreno returned after Enrique’s poor showing.

Liverpool started well keeping possession, looking to raise the intensity which had fallen by the wayside recently.   Lallana punched a hole through the West Bromwich defence down the right before cutting the ball back for his ex-Southampton Lambert who air-kicked with the opportunity of his first Premier League there for taking.  Sterling then thrillingly slalomed from right to left before his blocked shot fell to Lallana who saw his shot forced out for a corner by Foster.

Skrtel then found Lambert with a long pass which the striker controlled beautifully before firing in a shot to the near post which was easily saved by Foster.

West Brom were by no means bystanders and began to insert their influence particularly in midfield and on the break the strength and pace of Sessegnon and the very impressive Berahino who pressed Skrtel and Lovren all day and with more composure could have at least have had a brace.

The England under 21 International drove straight at the heart of the Liverpool defence before cutting back past Gerrard and shooting powerfully at Mignolet who palmed away.  The forward will feel he should have scored having manoeuvred himself into an opening away from Skrtel and Lovren only to header straight at MIgnolet with the goal beckoning.

With half-time beckoning and West Brom looking the most likely Adam Lallana broke the deadlock with strike of the upmost quality.  Lallana picking up the ball from Lambert in the inside left position with some superb close control evaded two tackles before playing the ball into Henderson who returning the compliment played him in to guide the ball inside the far post.

It was the type of goal that Liverpool fans will expect from Lallana and today allied to his work rate he will have pleased his manager.

The lead evaporated in less than ten minutes of the second-half.  A sloppy pass by Manquillo presented West Brom with a chance to counter-attack with the dazzling speed of Sessegnon and with Berahino seemingly upended by Lovren outside the area, referee Mike Oliver surprisingly awarded a penalty and the Baggies striker smashed home the penalty with alacrity.

West Brom’s parity was short lived.  Sterling, as he had in Basle was struggling with his control, was knocked over in the area by Gardener but Oliver dismissed any claim for a penalty.  Regaining his composure, the youngster upon getting to his feet rolled the ball back into the path of Henderson who expertly side-footed home for his first goal of the season.

After the hour Brendan Rodgers replaced Lambert and Manquillo with Balotelli and Johnson, the last named back from long-term injury.  Johnson was soon in the thick of things curling a shot just wide of the post.

The substitutions increased Liverpool’s intensity and with Gerrard becoming increasingly influential moving further up the pitch particularly after Lucas replaced Coutinho as Rodgers looked to protect Liverpool’s lead.

Not for the first time, in the final ten minutes and having not won since the away victory as Spurs, Liverpool began to drop deeper.

Fortunately, there was no long range screamer this time and Liverpool saw out the victory after a stunning cross from Blanco caused palpitations in the Liverpool backline.

Critical eye:  Not a great performance, but Liverpool showed strength of character to end the Baggies revival with Lallana and Henderson the standout players and Gerrard with probably his most accomplished performance of the season not far behind.

It was obvious Rodgers has been working at breaking Gerrard free of the shackles he’s been under recently, by moving him further up the pitch when attempts are made to shut down his supply.  He showed in flashes that his creative ability in the last third has not diminished by playing so deep.

Lallana was a threat with his close control and his eye for a pass, but he also showed a willingness to work back and covered back diligently throughout.  His goal was one of some pedigree and confidently I would say first of many.

Jordan Henderson was certainly the man of the match, covering nearly every blade of grass and had a hand in both goals.  He was the furthest player forward which allowed Lallana to use him as the conduit to set up his goal and was again on queue to receive and dispatch Sterling’s pull-back.

Rickie Lambert worked hard and played a hand in Liverpool’s first goal.  Whether the formation plays to his abilities is open to question, although a player of his undoubted qualities may feel he could have taken one of the 3 or 4 half chances to fall to him.

It should also be said that Sterling, although not enjoying his best game never stopped running and still managed to have a crucial influence on the game.  Finding Lambert with a lovely pass, which unfortunately the “big man” could not shift back and get his shot off quick enough.  Philippe Coutinho is still struggling to find his pre-season form and the international break may just give time to work his way back into form with Brazil.

Mignolet saved well on the few occasions he was forced into action and it was noticeable that he was positive in his attempts to come of his line and punch.  Lovren and Sakho were under pressure all day by the strength and pace of Berahino and were lucky not to be embarrassed on two occasions.