Match Reports

Liverpool 1 Albion 1

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Albion scored late to earn a superb 1-1 draw away at Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday evening at Anfield.

Sadio Mane fired the Reds ahead early on but the Baggies stayed in the game against their star-studded opponents, defending resolutely to give themselves a chance of taking something home.

And they secured a fantastic point with less than 10 minutes to play when substitute Matheus Pereira’s fantastic whipped cross was headed in by Semi Ajayi.

Sam Allardyce made one change to the team that played Aston Villa seven days earlier as Callum Robinson replaced the suspended Jake Livermore.

It took 12 minutes for Liverpool to open the scoring, Mane chesting Jordan Henderson’s pass down and slotting the ball past Sam Johnstone, but the Baggies managed to frustrate their hosts for the remainder of the first-half. 

Mane, Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah all guided efforts off-target, with Romaine Sawyers’ blocked volley the only time Albion really threatened the Reds’ goal.

The visitors then had their first positive spell straight after the break. A number of quick counter attacks combined with some dangerous Darnell Furlong long throws put pressure on the Liverpool defence, and Karlan Grant’s half volley forced Alisson into making his maiden stop.

The home side were continuing to have the majority of possession but it was the the Baggies who were creating the better chances - Grady Diangana volleying wide from the edge of the box before Grant, baring down on goal, had his finish saved well by Alisson.

Pereira and Charlie Austin were introduced as Albion attempted to steal a point - and the equaliser came with less than 10 minute to play, Ajayi nodding a superb Pereira cross off the post and into the back of the Liverpool net.

The Baggies had to withstand a late Liverpool onslaught as substitute Rhys Williams had a chance from a cross and several crosses were fired into the box, but Albion held on for another crucial point against one of the league's most established sides.  

Albion: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs; Phillips, Sawyers, Gallagher (Ivanovic 90), Diangana, Grant (Austin 78), Robinson (Pereira 73).

Substitutes: Button, Kipre, Peltier, Harper, Krovinovic, Grosicki.