Ben Guest
Andy Robertson insisted that Liverpool got what they deserved as they dropped points against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.
As you would expect, the game instantly settled into a pattern of attack v defence, with Sam Allardyce’s new side trying to stay compact at the back, with Liverpool’s midfield being afforded plenty of time and space on the ball.
However, it only took 12 minutes for the champions to break down the Baggies tightly packed defence, defender Joel Matip fizzing the ball in towards the chest of Sadio Mane, the Senegal international expertly controlling the ball, turning as he did so, before firing past Sam Johnstone.
Liverpool continued to dominate and created a whole host of chances in the first half, though the ball just wouldn’t quite drop for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the goal the Reds only shot on target of their 10 attempts before the break.
However, having earned a valiant point against Man City before Christmas, West Brom did show a bit more adventure after the break as they tried to repeat the trick against the league leaders, and were denied an equaliser as Karlan Grant failed to beat Alisson in a one-on-one after beating youngster Rhys Williams for pace.
With just eight minutes to go though, Liverpool were punished for their first-half missed chances, and after cheaply giving away a corner, Semi Ajayi rose highest to head in off the post.
6 – Liverpool have failed to win six of their 15 Premier League games this season (W9 D5 L1), as many as they did in the entirety of last season in the league (W32 D3 L3). Mortal. pic.twitter.com/RpAkpio5r9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 27, 2020
Sam Johnstone made a number of wonderful saves at the death in that aforementioned draw against Man City, and the former Man Utd man made another fine save to deny Roberto Firmino as the game ticked into the 90th minute, with West Brom going on to hang on for a point.
Speaking afterwards, left-back Andy Robertson admitted his side got what they deserved after failing to convert their first half domination.
“When you go slack you get what you deserve. When you come up against a Sam Allardyce team you know they will stay in it and take the one chance they get,” Robertson told Sky Sports.
“We created a lot of chances in the first half and then in the second half it was as if we didn’t want to do it again. We went slack. Every one of us made a mistake in the second half which can’t happen. Credit to west ham for the way they played the second half.
“You know they will look to frustrate you and play the game down and hit you on the counter-attack. We didn’t let them do that in the first half and then they grow with confidence the longer it goes 1-0. We should be experienced enough to see it out and build on the 1-0. We should have been 2-0, 3-0, maybe 4-0 up at half time. We were dominating and it was up to us to take the chances but we also should be professional enough to win 1-0 if we have to. We will take the point and move on. We can’t dwell on it but it’s a huge disappointment.
“I’ve been in a Championship team that has come up and you want to frustrate the big teams and get that one chance you can get and that’s exactly what happened. Credit to them. They were great in the second half but we need to be so much more professional. We didn’t do that enough and that is frustrating.”
The point sees Liverpool open up a three-point lead over second-placed Everton, with an away trip to face Newcastle up next on December 30th.
Tweets of the Week: Guardiola spitting bars, Carra’s reducer, and Harry Redknapp
See also – Picking our Premier League Team of 2020