West Brom vs. Liverpool: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Game

Liverpool failed to qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League after ending their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns to finish eighth.

Salomon Rondon opened the scoring for the Baggies on Sunday, before Jordon Ibe produced a thrilling equaliser for a much-changed Liverpool side.

The Reds' remaining hope of playing European football next season rests on beating Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday, which would secure UEFA Champions League qualification. Should they fail, they now know they will go without European competition next term.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp kept one eye on that Europa League final by refreshing the ranks. Ibe, Brad Smith, Cameron Brannagan, Sheyi Ojo and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan were some of the changes:

The Baggies handed 17-year-old forward Jonathan Leko a start up front alongside Rondon:

Notably, skipper Jordan Henderson and striker Danny Ings were both fit enough for the bench after respective injury woes.

Precocious youngster Leko was at the heart of things for West Brom's opener, skipping past several players and showing off his lightning pace before providing Rondon with a chance. The burly striker took it when he steered a finish beyond Bogdan at his near post.

Leko made some history with the assist, according to OptaJoe:

Meanwhile, Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo offered an unflattering description of the Reds' attempts to repel the chance:

While it was easy to lament the suspect defending, some issues at the back were understandable given the number of changes. Naturally, there was a lack of cohesion and communication among Liverpool's refreshed back four.

Klopp needed some magic up front to mask the issues at the back—magic he duly received from the lively Ibe. The winger produced a solo special, galloping from out of his own half before cutting in from the left to fire home the equaliser.

Ibe's wonderful effort livened up a game that soon reverted to static stuff that saw both sides misplace passes and become reduced to aimless shots from distance.

Speaking of aimless, that's just what Liverpool's passing was for much of the half. The Reds dominated the ball, but they rarely found openings between the lines against a home side content to pack numbers deep as the half crawled to a finish.

One midfield man who did stand out though, was 20-year-old playmaker Cameron Brannagan, who looked very comfortable on the ball, a fact backed up by this statistic from the club's official site: 

Rondon livened things up for the hosts after the break when he headed Craig Gardner's smart free-kick against the post. Another Rondon header flashed just wide of the near post after fine work from Craig Dawson out wide.

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Sensing the need to freshen things up, Klopp offered Henderson and Ings a run-out in place of Allen and goalscorer Ibe.

Despite the changes, though, Rondon continued to torment Liverpool. This time, centre-back Martin Skrtel needed to throw out a leg to deflect another header to safety.

Liverpool needed to reassert control of possession but weren't helped by Christian Benteke's drab hold-up play in attack. In the end, though, the Reds played the final proceedings as though they were already more focused on Wednesday.

Post-Match Reaction

Klopp defended the changes he made to the lineup, per James Carroll of the club's official site: "We made a few changes – 11 – and it made sense because it was absolutely clear you could not play here today with 50 per cent concentration. I know about playing in finals, so it would have been quite difficult for the players we left at home to come here and be ready for this really intensive game."

He also promised his team will be ready for its European final: "I think it’s quite big and we will try everything to take the opportunity. It is difficult – we know – it is against Sevilla – we know – but we will be prepared, 100 per cent."

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Finally, Klopp expressed his delight to be able to give Ings some minutes, following the forward's injury nightmare, per David Lynch of the club's official site: "It was more about giving this really nice lad something for the break, knowing [he's] back and able to play football again. It was good to see."

As for West Brom boss Tony Pulis, he identified where the 14th-placed Baggies must improve next season, according to BBC Sport's Mike Henson: "I think this is a wonderful club with fantastic tradition. We have to improve, especially at the top end of the pitch."

Victory in the Europa League would cap a solid first season for Klopp. But it won't mask the team's weaknesses in the league.

There's plenty of work ahead for both manager's during the summer transfer window.