Liverpool vs. West Brom: Post-Match Reaction of Brendan Rodgers and Alan Irvine

Liverpool earned a much-needed boost in the Premier League courtesy of a narrow 2-1 home win over west Bromwich Albion. Goals for the Reds from Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson bookended a Saido Berahino penalty.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his relief at securing a welcome three points, via BBC Sport:

"

It was very satisfying. We had to show big character today. West Brom were arriving here on the back of a number of good results. I thought the resilience of the players was fantastic and we were helped by the crowd because they realised the team needed a lift. It was a big win for us.

"

Rodgers also confirmed star striker Daniel Sturridge is set to return from injury, despite missing out here, per Chris Shaw of LiverpoolFC.com: "I was hoping he would be but he wasn't. But certainly from now, he'll have the course of the international break to get ready, and he'll be fine for QPR."

BBC Radio 5 added Rodgers' opinions on how newly-acquired striker Mario Balotelli took the news that he would be starting Saturday's match on the bench:

Henderson's goal was further proof of his growing influence for the Anfield club. Often a maligned figure, Henderson's game has evolved since the start of last season.

He is now making more of an impact further forward, as Squawka Football detailed:

It certainly suits Henderson to push forward. That's how he rose to prominence with Sunderland before securing his move to Liverpool.

But Henderson wasn't the only young Englishman in this game who continued to impress. Striker Berahino is in a rich run of scoring form, per Squawka:

Pacy, direct and technically able, Berahino certainly deserves his opportunity on the international stage. His latest star turn earned praise from ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon, during a BBC Radio 5 broadcast of the game (h/t BBC Sport): "Saido Berahino has been a bundle of energy and has not given the Liverpool defence a second. If anyone deserves to get something from this game it is him. He has been superb."

Baggies' chief Alan Irvine was quick to continue the praise for Berahino, per BBC Sport:

"

From where I was I couldn't be sure whether it was inside or out. Having been given it, for Saido Berahino to step up and take it with such confidence was great. He practises and he gets the benefit of all that practice. I thought he worked the centre-halves extremely well. His movement for a young player is very good.

"

Despite Berahino's performance, the Baggies remain 13th in the table, just four points above the relegation places, according to Sky Sports football:

For Liverpool, the win is welcome relief from a recent difficult run. Rodgers will now hope these three points will be the platform to revive his team's season.