Afternoon all! This weekend marks the ninth round of Premier League matches. Right here, we'll be focusing on Liverpool's home tie against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.

I'm sure even the most die-hard of Liverpool fans would not believe that their club would be third in the table at this stage. It is early days, of course, but the Reds have had a positive start to the campaign. However, they face a side that have had their fair share of good results against Liverpool.

Before we get into the fixture itself, the teams from both Liverpool and West Brom are beginning to filter through. We'll start with the home side...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Cissokho, Toure, Sakho, Skrtel; Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson; Sturridge, Suarez

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Kelly, Agger, Allen, Sterling, Moses, Alberto

Manager Brendan Rodgers has made one change from the side that drew 2-2 with Newcastle United last weekend, as Lucas Leiva comes into the team, with Victor Moses dropping to the bench. The Brazilian missed last Saturday's encounter due to the birth of his daughter.

WEST BROM XI: Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Amalfitano, Anelka, Sessegnon; Anichebe

WEST BROM SUBS: Daniels, Long, Brunt, Morrison, Lugano, Vydra, Berahino

Steve Clarke has brought Nicolas Anelka back into the side for this afternoon's clash at Anfield following his absence from last weekend's goalless draw against Stoke City. Saido Berahino is the player to miss out for the Baggies.

Interestingly, Daniel Agger is struggling to fight his way back into the Liverpool side. The defender was a regular starter for Rodgers until he suffered a rib injury, but the Reds boss has been happy to stick with Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel. Well, if it's not broken, don't fix it right?

For West Brom, Shane Long is still unable to secure a regular place in the first XI, and it's no different today. The 26-year-old, who recently suggested that he could leave The Hawthorns in the near future, is handed a place on the bench.

Right, that's the team news out of the way. So, what should we expect from this fixture? The bookies are favouring Liverpool due to their positive start to the season, but the Baggies have been a difficult test for the Reds in recent encounters.

In this fixture last season, West Brom came away from Anfield with all three points thanks to goals from Gareth McAuley and on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku. Now, the Baggies may not have Lukaku at their disposal anymore, but they do have attacking threat from Victor Anichebe and Anelka.

Not only did West Brom nab maximum points at Anfield, they also snatched a 3-0 win over Liverpool on the opening day last season at The Hawthorns. Also, with head coach Steve Clarke previously working at Liverpool as assistant boss to Kenny Dalglish, I'm sure his side will not be short of confidence heading into today's encounter.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has been speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of the 3pm kickoff.

Here's what he had to say moments ago: "The two results [last season] were disappointing, there's no doubt about that. We know that they'll be very well organised and hard to beat, but these are the games that we need to be winning."

Let's have a look at how both teams have begun the 2013-14 campaign then, shall we? As mentioned above, Liverpool are third in the table having won five, drawn two and lost one out of their eight fixtures. However, the Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league games, which could bode well for the Baggies, who are unbeaten in their last five league matches.

West Brom started brightly last season, but it's been a different story this time around having lost their opener to Southampton and failing to win until their fifth game in against Sunderland. However, since then, West Brom have had a positive run, beating Manchester United and securing a draw with Arsenal.

Liverpool could only draw their last fixture, but West Brom will be wary of the attacking threat from Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. The pair have been in fine form of late, with England international Sturridge scoring 13 times in as many league matches.

Speaking of Suarez, the forward was snapped by West Brom's official Instagram account catching up with Uruguay teammate Diego Lugano at Anfield earlier today. He looks chirpy doesn't he...?

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been in the news this week following the release of Sir Alex Ferguson's new autobiography. Yes, I'm sure you've heard by now! The former Manchester United boss described the England skipper as "not a top, top player". His words have caused a storm among those connected with Liverpool - none more so than manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Northern Irishman stated that Ferguson's comments about his captain were "harsh", and he also hit back at the Scotsman's criticism of Gerrard's teammate Jordan Henderson. Ferguson said in his book that the midfielder may experience fitness issues in the future because of the way he runs. Both players are starting at Anfield this afternoon, so we will see how much of an impact they can make. Even though I'm sure they both feel that they have nothing to prove!

The 3pm kickoffs are edging closer, but one game in the Premier League has already been played. Arsenal have now extended their lead at the top of the table to five points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Hardly that surprising given that the Eagles are yet to appoint a new manager following the departure of Ian Holloway.

Anyway, back to matters at hand at Anfield. We are around 10 minutes away from kickoff. How do you see this one panning out? Due to current form and having the advantage of a home ground, Liverpool may just nick it, but a draw would not be a huge surprise given the previous encounters between the two. It could be a tight contest this afternoon!

Depending on other results this afternoon, Liverpool could potentially move into second with a win this afternoon, while West Brom could climb up to the top 10 in the table. We're a matter of minutes away!

The players are emerging from the tunnel to a roar of applause from the fans. The pre-match handshakes will be next and then we'll get underway!

GAME ON! West Brom get us underway at Anfield, kicking from left to right.

Liverpool get an early corner following a wayward header from Jones, who cut out a long cross gliding towards Suarez. The Uruguayan takes the corner, but Olsson manages to head clear with ease.

Liverpool have had a nice spell of possession in these early stages, but on two occasions they've tried to force an attack with the long ball, but the West Brom defence have looked content in dealing with those kind of deliveries.

Gerrard plays the ball out wide to Johnson, who runs right into Ridgewell. The West Brom defender tries to launch a counter, but Skrtel covers will and the attack is snuffed out.

A half-chance for Liverpool presents itself from a whipped cross into the box from Cissokho, but Myhill drops to the floor to gather with ease. You'd think that Suarez and Sturridge should have done better to attack that ball.

Some nice link-up play with Sturridge and Suarez allows the Uruguayan to open up and take a shot at goal, but the striker's effort from outside the area clips the post and goes out for a goal kick.

Some nice link-up play with Sturridge and Suarez allows the Uruguayan to open up and take a shot at goal, but the striker's effort from outside the area clips the post and goes out for a goal kick.

Suarez has a penalty shout denied by the referee. The Uruguayan drifted into the box to pick up a pass from Sturridge, but the controversial striker goes to ground claiming that he was pushed by McAuley. The ref is having none of it.

Well, a piece of brilliance from who else? Luis Suarez. As he's done so many times in the past for the Reds, the Uruguayan makes a surging run towards the box, and glides past three West Brom players to launch a thumping shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, leaving Myhill with no chance.

West Brom have done well to press high up the pitch, forcing Liverpool to sit back, but some sloppy play has so far not given the Reds much to deal with.

Mulumbu launches the ball over the top looking for Anelka, but Skrtel manages to get a head to it first and protect Mignolet from making a save.

Wow. Two goals in the space of six minutes for Suarez, and it's one to remember! Sturridge plays the ball out wide to Sakho, who storms down the line and crosses it into the box to the Uruguayan, who heads the ball from just outside the 18-yard box into the top of the net.

West Brom need to regain composure after those two goals from Suarez, but Liverpool are in control of proceedings. They're passing the ball with ease, but so far McAuley has been able to see off any additional threat.

The Baggies go on the break with Sessegnon, who slides the ball out wide to Anelka, who in turn crosses to the other side to find Jones. He runs to the line, but Lucas tracks back to knock the ball out and give away a corner, which comes to nothing.

Suarez is involved in every attack at the moment, and he once again tries to get passed two Baggies shirts, but his touch is too heavy as he tries to find space for himself and West Brom clear.

Gerrard gets knocked off the ball by Yacob, which gives Liverpool a free kick in a dangerous area, just outside of the box. Suarez is lining up to take it...

MISS! Oh dear. Given that they are two goals to the good, Liverpool fans could probably have a little laugh at that one. Suarez threads the ball to Gerrard from the free kick, the skipper runs to the line and pulls the ball back to Skrtel in the middle of the box. He sets himself up to take the shot, but he completely fluffs and fails to make connection with the ball.

There's some injury concern for Liverpool as Johnson goes to ground. It appears that the full-back clipped his right ankle while trying to retrieve the ball from Anichebe. Remember, the England international only just returned to fitness against Newcastle last weekend.

Perhaps the damage is not as bad as once thought as the defender gets back to his feet. Meanwhile, West Brom take a free kick from outside the box, but Olsson is rightfully flagged offside as the ball swoops in.

Liverpool get another free kick just yards outside of the box after Yacob pulls Sturridge back on his shoulder. Suarez and Gerrard are both hovering over the ball...

Suarez takes it and he manages to get the ball over the wall, but his effort is too high and it drifts wide of the post.

West Brom are struggling to find their feet at the moment, as Liverpool continue to dominate possession. Mignolet has not had much to do at all during this first half.

A mistake by Skrtel gives West Brom a sniff at goal. Sessegnon latches onto the lose ball and passes into the centre of the box to Anichebe, but Lucas runs back to clear the danger.

CHANCE! Once again Liverpool go on the attack. Gerrard sets up the ball for Henderson on the edge of the area. The midfielder takes a swoop at the ball with his right foot, but he's leaning back too much and the effort fails to dip low enough to fall into the right-hand corner of the net.

SUBSTITUTION Morrison comes on for Amalfitano as West Brom try to get a foothold in this game.

CHANCE! West Brom come close to finding the back of the net on the brink of half time from a long ball guided towards Anelka. Mignolet comes out to clear the effort, but the ball bounces behind the goalkeeper heading goal-bound. However, Skrtel follows the run of Anelka and dives down to knock the ball out for a corner, which comes to nothing.

I think that it's safe to say that Rodgers will be the happier of the two managers at the half-time interval, and that's largely down to Luis Suarez. Two stunning goals from the Uruguayan has given the Reds a comfortable lead.

As well as taking their chances, the home side have dominated play, while West Brom have struggled to impose their game at Anfield so far. Clarke will be calling on his men to force more of a threat in the second half, as well as stop giving the ball away cheaply.

It will be interesting to see how both sides come out in the second half. You would expect the Baggies to be on the frontfoot, but with Sturridge and Suarez posing a threat, the visitors cannot afford to leave space open at the back.

We're a matter of moments away before the teams return for the second half. Can Liverpool extend their lead or will West Brom find a way back into this match? Not long to go until we find out!

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Liverpool get the second half started, kicking towards the Kop end.

Liverpool have started the second half as they finished the first - on the attack. Sturridge swivels around one defender only to get pulled down by Yacob. The referee awards the Reds a free kick just outside of the area.

Sturridge tries to swing the ball into the top left-hand corner, but despite the pace, it just drifts wide of the post.

Suarez is involved once again by driving from the wide areas into the box. The Uruguayan sets the ball up for Sakho, but his effort towards the bottom left corner of the goal gets knocked out by Myhill for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Down the other end, Anelka finds some space on the left of the box, he tries to slide the ball across the face of the goal but Skrtel manages to block the pass.

West Brom appear to have much more intent in these early stages of the second half. Let's see if they can make any of it count.

CHANCE! Henderson comes close once again with an effort on the edge of the area, but he tries to scoop it over the keeper instead of just launching a shot with his first touch.

BOOKING! Yacob clips Sturridge and deservedly gets a yellow card for his fourth foul of the match.

Well, the controversial frontman has grabbed a hat-trick! Gerrard takes the free kick on the left side of the final third following Yacob's foul. It's a perfect delivery from the skipper, who finds the head of Suarez, who knocks it into the back of the net.

Shortly after Liverpool's third goal, the home side's defence came into question following some scrappy play in the box. Mignolet comes off his line, which forces Toure to clear unconvincingly, but West Brom fail to make the most of it.

OFF THE BAR! Sturridge comes close to putting his side four goals to the good. He drives towards the corner of the box and launches a shot towards the top corner, but it rattles off the crossbar to deny him a goal.

SUBSTITUTION Liverpool make their first change of the match by bringing on Martin Kelly in place of Johnson, who sustained a knock in the first half.

West Brom have a rare spell of possession and they manage to get a free kick out of it as Sakho pushes into the back of Anichebe while waiting for a long ball.

CHANCE! The away side had a decent effort to get on the scoresheet through McAuley, who gets picks up the loose ball in the box following a cross from Olsson. He swivels to take the shot, but it flies high.

PENALTY! The linesman awards West Brom a penalty after a coming together in the box after a surge from Jones. Morrison lines up to take it...

Morrison manages to pull a goal back by hammering the ball into the back of the net after Mignolet dives the wrong way.

After seeing replays, you'd have to question the decision of the penalty. It appears that the assistant referee lifted his flag when Jones came into contact with Lucas in the box, but it's a questionable decision.

SUBSTITUTION West Brom complete their substitutions with a double change as Yacob makes way for Brunt and Long replaces Anelka.

SAVE! Liverpool try to kill the game off but Myhill makes an important stop at his near-post to deny Gerrard from a tight angle.

Some belief has been injected into West Brom following Morrison's goal from the penalty spot. The Liverpool defence are forced to soak up some pressure as the Baggies launch a wave of an attack. Jones tries to keep it alive by floating the ball into the area, but Mignolet comes off his line to gather.

BOOKING Olsson goes into the book for bringing Sturridge down 30 yards away from goal.

Suarez whips his effort around the wall from the free kick, but it fails to reach the target by drifting wide.

Brunt should have arguably done a lot better than that. The away side go on the attack as the ball feeds out wide to Brunt, who moves to the edge of the area and tries to slide into the goal, but it sweeps out wide.

Liverpool have struggled to get the ball in these last few minutes and their defence looks ragged as West Brom pile more pressure on the home side. Ridgewell cross the ball into the box towards Brunt, who aims towards goal with his left foot, but it flies over the bar.

Another piece of individual brilliance from Liverpool as Sturridge drives towards the corner of the area and chips the ball over the head of Myhill to give his side a fourth and possibly end all hopes of West Brom getting a result.

Jones takes on the Liverpool defence himself, and manages to get passed two, but his final effort bounces off a red shirt and back into the home side's possession.

OFF THE BAR! Well, that would have been a sensational goal from Suarez if it had gone it. The Uruguayan tried an audacious scissor kick just yards from the goal, but it rattles off the bar.

SAVE! Morrison tries to get his second of the afternoon, but his powerful shot is stopped by Mignolet, who reaches for the ball with his right hand to give away a corner, which comes to nothing.

SUBSTITUTION Gerrard comes off the field to a round of applause from the home side, with Joe Allen taking his place.

SAVE! Myhill's left arm is the only thing that has denied Suarez from getting his fourth. The Uruguayan blasts the ball towards the bottom corner, but Myhill dives just in time to clear.

SUBSTITUTION That's the end of Suarez's afternoon as Rodgers brings him off to a standing ovation from the fans. Luis Alberto comes onto the field to see out these last few minutes.

So there we have it, Liverpool have comfortably beaten West Brom 4-1 at Anfield following three goals from Luis Suarez, and an impressive effort from Daniel Sturridge, while James Morrison's converted penalty was the only highlight for the visitors this afternoon.

Today's result has put Liverpool second in the table, remaining two points adrift of leaders Arsenal, while West Brom sit 13th after taking 10 points from nine fixtures.

We hope you've enjoyed our coverage and make sure to stick around on Sports Mole for all the latest coverage of this weekend's football. Enjoy!