Liverpool salvaged a late point against West Bromwich Albion thanks to Divock Origi's deflected strike six minutes into added time.
The Reds dominated large parts of the second half, but Jonas Olsson - who had a goal ruled out in the opening 45 minutes - edged the visitors in front.
A third Anfield triumph in five visits looked to be on the cards for the Baggies, who had earlier trailed to Jordan Henderson's opener, until substitute Origi popped up at the death to rescue a 2-2 draw.
Relive how the dramatic match unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. The Reds have a chance to build some momentum once more following a disappointing setback last weekend when suffering just a second defeat of Jurgen Klopp's 13-game reign.
West Brom have picked some impressive results in recent weeks, meanwhile, and will be looking to close the four-point gap on their opponents this evening. The Baggies can climb up a place to 12th should they pick up a famous win at Anfield, while Liverpool know that three points will take them to within touching distance of a European berth.
This is one of three Premier League games taking place throughout today. Arsenal are on the brink of beating Aston Villa in the West Midlands, while Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United face off a little later. It is the second of those games, which also kicks off at 4pm, that will have more of a baring on these sides as they eye up a place in the top third of the table.
TEAM NEWS!
LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Milner, Henderson, Lallana, Coutinho, Benteke
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Brunt, Fletcher, Gardner, McClean; Morrison; Rondon
The big news for Liverpool is that they have Philippe Coutinho back in their starting lineup for a Premier League game. Both he and Jordan Henderson came through the midweek meeting with Sion unscathed, meaning that both can take their place in a team that shows a few changes from last weekend's defeat to Newcastle United.
Christian Benteke, Alberto Moreno and Martin Skrtel also start from the off this afternoon, but there is of course no Daniel Sturridge due to his latest injury layoff. The Reds will likely lineup in a 4-3-2-1 formation once more, with Adam Lallana and the returning Coutinho playing just off Benteke in attack.
In terms of the visitors, they will be without Claudio Yacob this afternoon due to a family bereavement. One enforced change for the Baggies elsewhere, as Craig Gardner comes in for the injured Stephen Sessegnon. Saido Berahino featured for the Under-21s side earlier this week, which Tony Pulis was quick to praise, but he misses out on the starting lineup today.
BENCH WATCH!
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Toure, Firmino, Lucas, Allen, Origi, Ibe
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBS: Lindegaard, Chester, Gnabry, McManaman, Berahino, Lambert, Anichebe
Liverpool's flying winger Jordon Ibe was forced out of the Europa League group-stage tie with Sion due to illness, but he is back among the matchday squad for this one. Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi are also among the back-ups on a strong-looking bench, with Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva providing some options in the defensive midfield position if required.
As mentioned, Berahino had been pushing for a recall to the starting lineup after featuring for the Under-21s earlier this week, yet he will have to wait for his chance to shine. Rickie Lambert will no doubt be keen to impress at a ground where his career never really took off, meanwhile, and there is also a place on the bench for ex-Toffee Victor Anichebe.
Philippe Coutinho makes a welcome return to Liverpool's starting lineup this afternoon following his two-game absence. Jurgen Klopp makes four changes in all from the midweek tie against Sion, while Tony Pulis is forced into making once change as Stephan Sessegnon has failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time to feature.
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So Liverpool head into this afternoon's match on the back of a really disappointing showing against Newcastle last weekend, in which they slipped to a two-goal defeat at the home of a side struggling for form. Despite that setback, it is fair to say that life is good under new boss Jurgen Klopp at the moment with a place in the top six now within touching distance.
The Reds have lost two of their 13 games under the eccentric German boss in all, winning seven of those matches to keep their hopes alive of tasting success on three fronts this term. Progression into the final four of the League Cup was secured in rather breathtaking fashion at St Mary's recently, while top spot was also wrapped up in midweek thanks to a stalemate at Sion.
Those two aforementioned defeats have come against Crystal Palace and Newcastle, however, which suggests that Liverpool still need to stop being so profligate when it comes to beating the sides outside of the Premier League elite. At home in particular the Reds have struggled to truly impress, but they have a chance this afternoon to put on a positive display for home supporters and put defeat last week firmly to one side.
To emphasise that point, Liverpool have eased past both Chelsea and Manchester City so far under the guidance of Klopp, putting a combined seven goals past those two sides on their travels. Back at Anfield things have been a little tougher, however, with a slender victory over Swansea City coming a week on from defeat at home to Palace. Klopp was asked about his side's relative home struggles in the build-up to today's game, admitting that it is something he would like to put right.
Klopp actually named a pretty strong squad for the goalless draw with Sion, which surprised many who felt that it was a perfect opportunity to rest certain players. It did give the German a chance to throw Henderson and Coutinho back into the mix, though, with both coming through unscathed ahead of today's big Premier League showdown. Both have proved key men for the Reds, although it is the latter who will bring the attacking impetus this afternoon.
Having praised the character of his side to grab the point needed to finish top of their Europa League group, Klopp will now want to push on domestically speaking heading into the new year. Defeat last weekend may have been tough to take, but a win against the Baggies will help build momentum once more after coming to an abrupt halt in the North East. With West Brom, Watford, Sunderland and surprise package Leicester to come over the festive period, there is a chance to put more points on the board.
DID YOU KNOW? Liverpool have allowed fewer shots on target this season than any other Premier League side (43). Opponents West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, have had the fewest shots on target in the division. If the stats are anything to go by, there is a good chance that the hosts will claim a clean sheet on home soil this afternoon.
Liverpool will face off against a West Brom side in a confident mood at the moment following some fine results. Tony Pulis and his men have been going about their business in a quiet manner, but it is hard not to be impressed by a draw against an in-form Tottenham Hotspur and victory over Arsenal in recent weeks. Both those games came at The Hawthorns, yet they did also pick up a point at Upton Park on their travels last time out.
The Baggies currently find themselves in limbo, sitting six points above the relegation zone but also just four points off their opponents who occupy a place in the top half. Finishing inside the top 10 is a realistic target for Pulis, you feel, which would provide some solid proof that he has helped take the Midlands outfit up another level since taking charge at the very beginning of the year.
WBA also have some nice fixtures to come after today, taking on the likes of Bournemouth, Swansea City, Newcastle United and Stoke City over the festive period. That run of games provides the chance to put six or seven points on the board at the very least, helping to drag the club into the top half in this most unpredictable of Premier League campaigns. The more immediate target is claiming victory on Merseyside in the coming hours.
West Brom end the year with a nice run of fixtures, which provides Tony Pulis with a chance to drag the club into the top half of the table. The Baggies have taken four points off Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in recent weeks, and will be confident of doing likewise against Liverpool this afternoon.
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In terms of away fixtures, things are also looking up for Albion. Five wins and three defeats from their last 11 trips is a more than adequate return, and highlights that this side is set up to contain home sides. It could be a tough afternoon for Liverpool if that is to be the case, yet with the likes of Coutinho, Lallana and Benteke on show, it will also be an occasion in which each of West Brom's defensive players must perform to their highest levels.
West Brom's last four away victories have each come by a 1-0 margin, which really does underline that previous point about being tough to break down. Pulis has slowly formed this into one of his own sides, with the Baggies' tally of 19 points so far this term their second best at this stage of a season. The best, if you were wondering, came in 2012-13 when they had seven points more.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Liverpool have lost two and won 19 of their previous encounters with WBA at Anfield. Daniel Sturridge particularly likes this fixtures, with three in five against the Baggies, but he will of course be missing out once more for the hosts today due to his latest injury setback.
The loss of Sturridge really is a big blow for the Reds, who saw the prolific Englishman turn on the style against Southampton recently to help seal that impressive 6-1 victory on the South Coast. Klopp has had to fend off countless questions regarding the striker's future, but his latest injury should not be as bad as the others suffered over the past year or so.
With just eight minutes to go before kickoff at Anfield, let's check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps heading into this Premier League showdown.
Jurgen Klopp [on concentration levels]: It was not the biggest issue in the last games but of course most of the goals we [conceded] in the last few weeks were set plays, that's true. We have to be concentrated. How we defend set-plays is okay, it could always be better, but we have to be very, very concentrated in these situations. The best thing would be to avoid most of them. Of course you can't avoid all of them, but we don't have to make silly fouls wherever on the pitch because I think they take each one [as an attacking] set-play with a lot of bodies in the box and so on. It's a challenge."
Tony Pulis [On Lambert]: "He is knocking on my door all the time. He wants to play. But it's about trying to find the right formation and shape for the team and trying to get the balance right. We didn't think we would get Salomon right up to the last minute in the summer but Salomon was a real coup for us. Rickie has been smashing. He's a good pro who is great around the place. The players love him, to be honest. He is a good old-fashioned, professional player who gets on with his job."
So Klopp hoping that his side can get their Premier League campaign back on track this afternoon on home soil. We have yet to see the best from the Reds at Anfield under the German, but the supporters certainly seem up for this one if the pre-match atmosphere is anything to go by at the moment.
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, but there is still time to check out the thoughts of the Sports Mole Sofa team prior to kickoff.
You'll Never Walk Alone is currently belting out around Anfield, as the two sets of players go through their final warm-ups. I'm expecting a cagey affair this afternoon, with just the one goal in it. Liverpool may have struggled last weekend, while West Brom have been on a positive run, yet I'm going to back the hosts to claim a 1-0 win in this one.
KICKOFF! We are underway at Anfield, with Liverpool quick to get forward. The tone has been set earlier on by the Reds, who are seemingly looking to make a positive start in front of their home supporters.
Brunt is starting at left-back for the Baggies, with Evans in midfield and McClean on the left. The Baggies actually seeing a fair bit of the ball in these early stages, but no real action in the final third thus far on Merseyside.
Plenty of closing down on show from both sides, as you would expect under the watch of Klopp and Pulis. A little mismatch in terms of personal honours, yet both are hugely successful at what they set their sides out to do. WBA continuing to knock the ball around well in midfield.
Clyne gets forward down the right, desperately looking for an option in the box. Liverpool do well to recycle the ball before West Brom - well structured as ever - win back possession. The opening seven minutes panning out pretty much as expected.
Liverpool probe away on the edge of Albion's box for the first time in the match. It is all a little slow, in truth, which forces Henderson to instead knock it long towards target man Benteke. West Brom clean their lines well and we still await the first shot.
Some brilliant defending by McAuley denies Benteke what would surely have been the opening goal. Clyne latched on to a block shot on the edge of the box, with his miscued effort heading right to his teammate a few yards out. McCauley dived in to divert the ball behind, though, leaving Benteke with his hands on his head.
A very good spell this for Liverpool, who are already knocking on the door. Milner found himself on the ball just a few yards from goal, but the angle was well against him. The midfielder instead looked to pull the ball back into a central position for Benteke, only for Gardner to this time dive in and save his side.
SHOT! The best chance of the game so far falls Coutinho's way. Lallana's punt into the box was only half-cleared to the Brazilian, who struck the ball nicely on the half volley but saw the ball continue to rise. Only a half-chance, maybe, but a good opening nonetheless.
Liverpool have dominated possession over the past 10 minutes, with play almost exclusively in the West Brom half. Still just the one shot so far, though, which came via Coutinho a short while ago. Moreno's cross into the box was misjudged by Benteke a few moments ago to the relief of the visitors.
SAVE! A rare chance for West Brom to test Liverpool's backline, as they win a free kick 40 yards from goal. It is initially well cleared by the Reds, but the Baggies build an attack down the right which culminates in Gardner's deflected shot having to be turned aside by Mignolet. That was creeping in at the near post, so a vital stop by the Belgian.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (JORDAN HENDERSON)
Following West Brom's best spell of the game, Liverpool go up the other end and find a way through. It was smart play by skipper Henderson, who gambled by getting himself forward and latching on to Lallana's knockdown into a central position. Coutinho's diagonal pass probably should have been cut out by Brunt, who was simply outjumped by Lallana in the build-up.
Clyne's cross is well headed away before it can reach Benteke, as Liverpool look to build on their breakthrough goal. It will be interesting to see how West Brom themselves react - no longer can they sit back and soak up pressure.
SHOT! A really important period in the game, this. Liverpool certainly the side on top, but they may have to make the most of the domination if they are to see this one through. West Brom have already proved that they can test Mignolet up the other end, yet at the moment it is all the home side as Coutinho's effort is easily collected by Myhill.
Another promising Albion attack - their first since going behind - looks to have died down before Morrison got on the end of a loose ball inside the box. The midfielder dragged his effort well wide, though, with the ball actually ending closer to the corner flag than the intended target.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (CRAIG DAWSON)
West Bromwich Albion level things up at Anfield - and it comes after a real howler from Mignolet! Brunt's corner was not collected by the Belgian, with the ball landing to Rondon and then Dawson, who smashed home from close range.
Simon Mignolet at fault once more for Liverpool, as West Brom draw level at Anfield.
Liverpool have now made 16 defensive errors in the league this term, more than any side in Europe's top 5 leagues. pic.twitter.com/d1ONq17xdN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 13, 2015
Clyne's cross into the box looks to be in a decent area, but Benteke fails to gamble at the back-post area. The Reds looking to make a quick response here, yet West Brom are making life difficult for them in the final third.
Lallana puts a hopeful ball into the box for Benteke, who attempts an audacious acrobatic shot. The effort was a good yard or so wide of goal in the end, though, with Myhill simply watching the attempt pass his goal.
SHOT! The game is developing a familiar theme now - West Brom getting forward occasionally but the vast majority of the game being played exclusively in the visitors' final third. Coutinho has just had his his third shot of the evening, all of which have been simple for Myhill to deal with.
These next few minutes up until half time will certainly be interesting, as Liverpool desperately aim to regain their lead. It is not happening for them at the moment, but they are probing away well enough to create the odd opening. Milner has just curled one well over the bar from a tight angle.
Liverpool want a penalty after Benteke's cross was blocked by Dawson's hand - ball to hand, says the referee. The defender also held back the striker a little, but there was not a great deal in it.
GOAL DISALLOWED! A huge moment in this contest! Albion think they have scored a second goal from another set piece, as Olsson heads up from a perfectly-delivered cross. West Brom celebrated for a good 30 seconds or so before the referee chalked the goal out for offside. Major let-off for the hosts.
HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
So a real explosive end to this first half, then, which has had more than a few talking points to say the least. Liverpool took the lead 21 minutes in when Henderson turned home Lallana's knockdown from close range after the Reds had enjoyed most of the possession. Albion did get forward on occasions, however and were able to test Mignolet up the other end.
A familiar theme was beginning to develop in the contest, as Liverpool probed away but were sometimes left open to West Brom counters. In the end the Baggies did draw level when Dawson capitalised on a poor piece of goalkeeping from Mignolet, who failed to collect the ball from a corner and gifted the visitors the easiest of levellers.
Liverpool then had a minor penalty shout turned down for handball moments before the interval, although something far more controversial was to follow. Albion had the ball in the net for a second time, this time after Olsson headed home from a superb free-kick delivery, only for the offside flag to go up extremely late. Pulis was furious to say the least, yet the decision looked to be correct - eventually!
An entertaining half for the neutral, then, which is perfectly poised at the midway stage. Plenty of options for the managers at the break, should either wish to change things around slightly.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Toure, Firmino, Lucas, Allen, Origi, Ibe
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBS: Lindegaard, Chester, Gnabry, McManaman, Berahino, Lambert, Anichebe
Craig Dawson capitalised on a Simon Mignolet error to level things up for Albion, just eight minutes after Jordan Henderson had fired the hosts ahead.
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RESTART! We are back underway at Anfield, with Liverpool knowing that they must improve defensively after their huge let-off at the end of the opening 45 minutes. No changes made at the break, so it is as you were.
Rondon puts Mignolet under real pressure, as the Baggies now look to target the Reds stopper. A little tension around Anfield already, with supporters knowing that three points really need to be picked up today if they are to continue challenging at the top end.
A fine cross from the right is defended well by the Baggies to deny Benteke a clean header on goal. Positive start from the home side, who are continuing to dominate possession in these early stages. Plenty of wayward efforts this afternoon, though, with Milner dragging another one wide.
Another decent cross into the area, this time by Moreno out on the left, but Benteke can only nod wide of the target. West Brom not quite as compact as Pulis would like at this stage, with the Reds piling up the chances, yet nothing clear-cut has been mustered as such.
The high quality of deliveries into the box continues, as Lovren this time gets his head to the ball. Albion still standing strong at the back, but the longer the game goes on like this the more likely the Reds are to find an all-important second.
Henderson tries to pick out Benteke with a pass around the back of Albion's defence, but it has a little too much on it. Klopp has seen his side enjoy 83% of possession, with very little to show for that dominance. The German must now be thinking about making a change or two.
Liverpool have attempt number four of the second half which, like all the others, ends wide of the target. For all the Reds' possession, they are simply not doing enough to create openings and test Myhill between the sticks.
CLOSE! Yet another shot from Liverpool - Benteke firing wide on the volley after being picked out by Lallana's fizzing cross. This was probably the closest of the lot, but it was still a yard wide of the target.
The screw is certainly being turned by Liverpool, who have been on top for the past 25 minutes. McCauley is currently receiving some treatment after picking up a knock, which has not pleased the home faithful to say the least - time wasting tactic or genuine injury?
Play has finally resumed after that brief stoppage. West Brom have had plenty of defending to do since the restart, but they will hope that pause in play will disrupt the Reds' momentum somewhat.
WBA win themselves a corner and three quarters of Anfield is left to hold its breath. Mignolet was pegged back back Olsson, though, which saw referee Craig Pawson rightly award a free kick to the hosts. A sign that the Baggies are ready to push forward a little more.
Since that McAuley injury, Albion have enjoyed their best spell of the half. They haven't created anything of note, as such, but the visiting side have managed to get on the ball in the Liverpool half which is proving to be the best form of defence at the moment.
Milner is really struggling down on the turf at the moment. Not often you see the Englishman failed to bounce back to his feet, but he appears to have twisted his knee when lunging into a challenge in midfield. Ibe is about to come on - whether Milner remains on the field is a different matter entirely.
LIVERPOOL SUB! Coutinho had a few shots on goal in the first half, but has struggled to grow into the match following the restart in an attacking sense. Ibe has now been introduced to provide some width out wide.
Milner has given the thumbs up that he is OK to continue, incidentally, so no need for any further changes at this stage.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (JONAS OLSSON)
For the third time today, Liverpool fail to deal with a set-piece delivery and they are made to count. Olsson's goal at the end of the first half didn't stand, but this one sure does! Brunt's corner was in a perfect position for the centre-back to meet, where he was able to head past Mignolet.
Liverpool's afternoon has just got a little worse, as Lovren is down on the field in some real discomfort. Gardner went in high on the defender, whose knee appeared to buckle under the weight of the challenge. Stretchers now on the field and a lengthy delay can be expected.
Jordan Henderson opened the scoring for Liverpool a quarter of the way through this game but, with a little over 10 minutes left to play, it is West Bromwich Albion who now lead.
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LIVERPOOL SUB! Lovren has now left the field of play on a stretcher. Divock Origi is on in his place, so Liverpool will look to change things around for these final stages.
SAVE! What a chance for the home side to draw level! Benteke slips Lallana clean through on goal, but the Englishman is thwarted by Myhill with his low shot. A superb first touch by Lallana counted for nothing.
As expected, Liverpool are once again completely dominating things in terms of possession. WBA will not care all that much at the moment, but as witnessed with that Lallana chance a few minutes ago, the Reds certainly have it in them to carve this stubborn backline open.
LIVERPOOL SUB! Henderson blasts wide on the half volley from 20 yards out. Play is pulled back for an earlier handball, however, meaning another chance for Liverpool to get the ball into the box. Before they do, Firmino is brought on for Lallana.
CHANCE! Well Liverpool are now open to the quick West Brom counter, which so nearly led to a fourth goal of the afternoon. Rondon has been so quiet this evening, but he was picked out on the edge of the box with plenty of time and space, only to drag a shot wide of the target.
SHOT! Henderson finds space on the edge of the area to get in a first-time shot, which lacks any real pace or precision to beat Myhill down the middle.
Ibe does well to make a yard of space and get a shot away, which is again scuffed wide. End product severely lacking as far as the home side are concerned today.
The fourth official has held up his board to reveal that we will play eight minutes of added time at Anfield. Plenty of time for the Reds to muster at least one more clear-cut opening.
McAuley has been superb all game, and he heads away the latest Liverpool cross into the box. Albion taking a lifetime over every throw now, which can be expected on the brink of a big Anfield win - their third in five visits.
A rare piece of slack defending from the visitors allows Liverpool to go short with a corner. The cross was in a nice position at the back post, but McAuley did enough to distract Skrtel who was ghosting in.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUB! Ex-Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert is on for the final couple of minutes, replacing Rondon in attack.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (DIVOCK ORIGI)
So, so cruel on West Brom, who have been denied victory here in the sixth minute of added on time at Anfield. Benteke is the hero of the hour, taking on a shot to nothing from long range which took a massive deflection beyond a wrong-footed Myhill.
All Liverpool now - constant pressure on the Baggies' backline. We have played the eight minutes of added time, but still the game goes on at Anfield...
FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
And breath! What a contest we have witnessed at Anfield, which eventually concludes after exactly 100 minutes of play. Jordan Henderson fired Liverpool in front 22 minutes in, before Craig Dawson levelled things up in the topsy-turvy affair. Jonas Olsson thought that he had bagged a second for his side prior to the break, only for the offside flag to go up rather late.
Olsson's second-half goal did stand, however, to put Albion on the brink of a third Anfield success in their last five visits. Liverpool dominated pretty much the entire second period, but they had to wait until the sixth minute of added time before Divock Origi found a way through with a heavily-deflected leveller.
A point apiece at the end of a game that had plenty of drama, then, which both sides will probably just about be happy with. That brings an end to Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Anfield, but be sure to stick around for analysis, player ratings and plenty of reaction in due course. Thanks for joining!
