Liverpool beat West Brom 2-1 on Sunday in one of the maddest, most amazing finishes in the history of the club. Here are five things we learned from the game.
An injury, of course
We learned something before the game even started, here – Diogo Jota won’t play again this season. The forward has a foot injury and while Jurgen Klopp says it isn’t serious, it will rule him out of the last three games.
It’ll all fall on Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to get the necessary goals, then. We know Salah will provide more than his fair share. The other two? Far from guaranteed.
But Liverpool need all three to be on it if they’re to secure a top-four finish.
Inexperience
Putting more pressure on those forwards is the inexperience of Liverpool’s centre-backs. We saw that for West Brom’s opener.
Phillips and Williams both made small mistakes that allowed the Baggies a fairly easy goal. And that will happen. Liverpool can’t possibly rely on the duo to get everything right every week.
They made mistakes against Manchester United, in truth – the Reds just covered it by being electric going forward. They need to be that every week, however.
Thiago’s clicking
This is the kind of game Thiago should thrive in. Lots of possession, a need to drive between lines and little space through midfield.
It’s great to see him run the show, then. Thiago was a constant option and kept Liverpool ticking over and moving forward.
It’s taken him a while to get to this point but that’s understandable. Liverpool have been misshapen and dysfunctional all season. Thiago always had a tough job to fit into things.
But he’s doing it, first against United and now here. Next season, with a stronger defence and a bit more rest, he should be an absolutely vital player.
Wasted chance
Mane, Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gini Wijnaldum. All four had golden opportunities to score in this one. None of them did.
In fact, not one of them even hit the target with their chance. Firmino came closest, hitting it against the post – but that’s still not good enough.
You aren’t going to win games if you can’t take your chances. To have four good opportunities and not even hit the target? Awful.
Dread to think where we’d be without Salah this season.
Wow
Well, if they’re not going to do it, Alisson might as well. The goalkeeper scores a header to make it Liverpool 2-1 West Brom.
One of the maddest, most amazing moments in the 128-year history of Liverpool football club. I don’t know what to say.
Incredible. Amazing.
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