Liverpool vs. West Brom: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Liverpool narrowly missed out on top spot in the Premier League after beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday. Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho both scored as part of a superb first-half display, but Gareth McAuley's close-range finish meant the Anfield club had to settle for second place in the table on goal difference.

The Northern Irishman's goal prevented Liverpool from leapfrogging Arsenal into first place, after the Gunners had gone top earlier, despite slipping to a 0-0 home draw with Middlesbrough.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp brought Adam Lallana back into the starting XI after the England playmaker had started on the bench for the recent 0-0 draw with Manchester United. He came in for striker Daniel Sturridge, who dropped out to let Roberto Firmino move back through the middle, per Liverpool:

West Brom fielded a familiar lineup with Salomon Rondon up top, but Jonas Olsson replaced the suspended Jonny Evans at the heart of defence, per the club:

Liverpool tore into the Baggies from the off, moving the ball quickly and rotating positions all over the pitch. The Reds' swift combinations paid dividends when Mane capped a sweeping move by deftly finishing from Firmino's cross. 

Coutinho started the move with a sly dummy that let Emre Can race clear. The burly midfielder then released Firmino on the left flank, and his delivery dropped invitingly for Mane.

WhoScored.com noted how the former Southampton winger has been loving life at Anfield this season:

Liverpool soon made it 2-0 when Coutinho profited from a poor clearance by West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster. The Brazilian weaved his way into a shooting chance before placing the ball across the 33-year-old.

A two-goal lead was just reward for the way Klopp's team had dominated proceedings. In particular, Liverpool were taking care of the ball, with Lallana serving as a key figure, according to Squawka:

Yet as fluent as they were going forward, the Reds also kept things tight at the back. Granted, Liverpool's defensive solidity was also in part created by the visitors' lack of ambition and quality going forward.

This particular statistic from early in the second half, one involving Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip, made for depressing reading for West Brom supporters:

Not surprisingly, chances kept on coming for the hosts. Foster may have been at fault for the second, but he earned credit for two brilliant stops shortly before the hour mark.

First, the ex-Manchester United 'keeper got down quickly to deny Firmino. Then he lunged to turn away a header from Matip's defensive partner, Dejan Lovren.

It was soon Olsson's turn to keep the score down when the big Swede blocked a shot to deny Can a certain goal.

The Baggies had been riding their luck and finally managed a rare foray forward when Nacer Chadli thrashed wide. It had taken a long time for West Brom to fashion a chance, per BBC's Match of the Day:

Things got even better for the away side when McAuley found the net after a scramble from a corner. His goal was a reminder of Liverpool's frailty from set pieces:

However, the Baggies couldn't heap more late misery on Liverpool. Three points are welcome for Klopp, but narrowly missing the chance to go top has to irk a little.

Post-Match Reaction

Klopp played down the near miss in typically blunt and colourful fashion, according to Andy Kelly of the Liverpool Echo:

He also saluted the Anfield support and revelled in the frantic finish, per the Premier League:

One of his goalscorers, Coutinho, spelled out how much the manager preaches fluidity and intelligent movement:

Those qualities are something Baggies manager Tony Pulis admitted his team struggled to cope with, per Kelly:

West Brom made it close, but Klopp was relaxed about Liverpool's inability to keep the door closed at the back:

In fairness, an attack this prolific may be enough to carry Liverpool to trophies this season. After all, few teams have been able to cope with their high-intensity pressing and rapid breaks.

A stay in top spot seems inevitable at some point.