Liverpool vs. West Brom: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Substitute Divock Origi salvaged a point for Liverpool with a 97th-minute equaliser, as they drew 2-2 with West Bromwich Albion at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.

Craig Dawson cancelled out Jordan Henderson's opener, before Jonas Olsson had a goal correctly chalked off for offside. Olsson netted again in the second half, and this time it counted, but Origi's last-gasp equaliser denied the Baggies three points.

The hosts spent much of the contest on the front foot but were unable to finish their many chances, while West Brom were content to sit back and then hit them on the break—which they did so clinically, as they netted from their only two attempts on target.

Christian Benteke and Philippe Coutinho—restored to the starting lineup—were first to threaten for the Reds, who made a quick start on home soil.

Just as West Brom were responding with pressure of their own through Craig Gardner on the right, the Reds took the lead when Coutinho picked out Adam Lallana with a magnificent lofted diagonal pass forward, and the Englishman duly knocked the ball down for Henderson to sweep home from close range.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

The Baggies were unperturbed by the setback and pulled level nine minutes later.

Dawson struck home the equaliser after Simon Mignolet flapped at a Chris Brunt corner and was unable to prevent Salomon Rondon from scrambling the ball back to the defender, who was able to score despite the number of Liverpool players positioned on the line, per the Premier League:

As Squawka Football noted, this was just the latest of many worrying gaffes at the back this season:

"

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"

After conceding, it was Liverpool's turn to respond. Benteke failed to get on the end of a promising Lallana cross, before sending a shot wide. The Belgian then had a minor penalty shout dismissed when the ball struck Gareth McAuley's hand inside the area.

Olsson sensationally appeared to put West Brom ahead on the stroke of half-time when he volleyed in Gardner's free-kick, but after what seemed like an age, it was disallowed. As noted by the Times' Tony Barrett, the referee's decision was ultimately the correct one:

Bleacher Report columnist Jack Lusby took issue with both the Reds' defending and their ability to finish chances:

The Reds began the second half with their tails up and again dominated possession as they pressed forward.

James Milner sent an effort wide from the edge of the area, before Benteke headed off-target and McAuley was forced to intervene when Dejan Lovren rose to meet Milner's excellent cross.

Henderson missed the target with his own strike from distance, and Benteke once again failed to test Boaz Myhill as he volleyed wide. Squawka Football highlighted the recurring theme:

Once again, Liverpool's profligacy was punished when Olsson expertly headed home another dangerous Brunt corner after 73 minutes.

Shortly after, things went from bad to worse when Lovren had to be stretchered off following a nasty, high challenge from Gardner, who went unpunished, per commentator John Bradley and the Liverpool Echo's Andy Kelly:

"

that's disgraceful from Gardner....clearly followed through....and even poorer refereeing

— John Bradley (@JBcommentator) December 13, 2015"

Liverpool desperately pushed in search of an equaliser, and Lallana forced an excellent save from Myhill, before Henderson sent a fairly tame effort at the stopper.

Rondon had a golden opportunity to kill the game off late on but, despite being afforded plenty of time and space, sent his shot wide. That miss proved crucial when Origi's long-distance effort deflected past the unfortunate Myhill.

Kelly noted the crowd's vocal support at different stages of the game. Afterward, manager Jurgen Klopp brought his team to the Kop end to applaud them, per the Sport Bible:

The Reds' struggles up front—and indeed at the back—continued once again here, and they'll need to be much more clinical if they're to pick up three points against the defensively solid Watford in their next outing, let alone secure a place in the top four.

West Brom's plan almost worked perfectly. But at home to Bournemouth in Week 17, they'll be expected to take the initiative at the Hawthorns, and that could see them struggle against the in-form Cherries.

Post-Match Reaction

Elated with the dramatic equaliser, Klopp described Origi's goal as his best moment at the club so far, per Liverpool's official Twitter feed:

Per BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan, he explained:

"

I'm satisfied now because it was the perfect finish to this game. The one point was the minimum that we deserved today. Two set plays cost us, we knew about their quality in these situations but we tried. It was difficult.

We created chances, made a perfect goal then conceded those two. But at the end I can live with it. This could prove to be a very special moment for us in the season to strike back against such a team.

"

West Brom manager Tony Pulis was understandably more disappointed, having been minutes away from winning. According to Magowan, he said:

"We're disappointed. We showed great resilience and to get done with a deflected goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time is particularly disappointing for the players. I can't fault the players. To come to a place like this with their budget, players and standing, we shouldn't be in their league."