Liverpool failed to maintain their advantage when they hosted West Bromwich Albion at Anfield Stadium, Sunday (27/12).
The defending Premier League champions immediately dominate possession against one of the lower clubs. With almost the best strength they have, the Reds locked The Baggies defense.
Even the duet of Liverpool center-back, Fabinho and Joel Matip, was seen crossing the center line and into the visitors’ playing area.
In the 12th minute, a Matip cross is not wasted by Sadio Mane. The failure of WBA players to anticipate the ball allowed Mane to control the ball with his chest before firing a right-footed shot that made the ball lodged in the goal.
Winning 1-0 does not make Liverpool change the way they play. Ten Liverpool players, except goalkeeper Alisson Becker, are in the WBA playing area.
Despite confining the WBA penalty box, Liverpool could not create truly good scoring opportunities. Apart from Mane’s goal, the WBA players performed well in the face of the host’s pressure.
Entering the second half, Liverpool’s ambition to score a second goal is still felt. This time the WBA is not only playing waiting for attacks, but trying to play more actively by controlling the ball.
The WBA game change made the game look more lively with the enthusiasm of the two teams looking for goals.
The 72nd minute the first golden opportunity was obtained by the WBA. Karlan Grant, who ran to meet the long ball from behind
The score changed to 1-1 in the 82nd minute. Starting from a corner kick, Matheus Pereira sent a pass which was completed by Semi Ajayi’s header. The ball hit the goalpost before entering.
Towards the end of normal time, attacks occur and Liverpool have a chance to score the winning goal through Roberto Firmino. Sam Johnstone’s reflex between the sticks thwarted Firmino’s header for the goal.
These results make Liverpool now have 32 points and a three-point lead over Everton, who is ranked second in the Premier League standings while WBA is still in the relegation zone with eight points.
The WBA has a special record when it comes to Liverpool, especially at Anfield.
Score 1-1 in the Premier League continued on Sunday (27/12), extending the WBA’s unbeaten streak when visiting Liverpool headquarters.
In the last three matches at Anfield, WBA has been unbeaten with one win and two draws. According to Opta’s data, no other club can match these results.
Before holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in the 2020/2021 English league continued. WBA won 3-2 in the FA Cup which took place in January 2018.
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah’s goals could not prevent Liverpool from losing. Two goals from Jay Rodriguez and an own goal from Joel Matip made the WBA embarrass Liverpool.
Meanwhile in December 2017 the WBA held Liverpool to a goalless draw in an English Premier League match.
Liverpool’s last win over the WBA at Anfield was in the 2016/2017 Premier League. Goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho put Liverpool 2-0 up in the first half and WBA was only able to cut the distance through Gareth McAuley’s goal.
