Liverpool hosted West Brom for their festive Premier League fixture as the table toppers were looking to go five points clear at the summit but instead handed a belated gift to their visitors at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side, fresh off a rare eight-day hiatus between matches, dominated the first half and perhaps could have been further clear than the Sadio Mane goal they had to show for their first 45 minutes’ work.
The failure to extend the lead always looked a dangerous one as, in contrast to the first half, Liverpool were sluggish in the second as West Brom countered effectively and earned a point through a Semi Ajayi header.
The equaliser sparked some life back into a previously listless Reds side but their efforts came to nothing as time ran out on the hosts’ charge for a late winner.
It was a disappointing result for Klopp’s men, who should have capitalised on an early goal to take all three points.
Liverpool stay top of the table – albeit by just three points having succumbed to a Sam Allardyce spoiler – ahead of the trip to Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
Here’s how we rated the Reds on show yesterday…
