Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion; Premier League
Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
AnfieldAttendance53,218.
Liverpool 2
- S Mané (20th minute)
- P Coutinho (35th minute)
West Bromwich Albion 1
- G McAuley (81st minute)
Liverpool v West Brom preview: Reds at full strength for Baggies visit
Saturday 22 October 2016 16:36, UK
Liverpool could have a full-strength squad when they host West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Jurgen Klopp has reported that 'nobody is ruled out at this moment' and will be looking to get back to winning ways after they were blunted by Manchester United on Red Monday in a 0-0 draw, ending their run of five consecutive league victories.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last 16 home games in all competitions, winning 10 of the last 14 games with the two sides drawing each of their last three Premier League meetings.
West Brom's form on the road has not been their strong point lately as Tony Pulis' men have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches away from The Hawthorns.
Team news
Georginio Wijnaldum could be back in the Liverpool fold following a hip problem sustained on international duty.
Adam Lallana (groin) is fully fit again having only been used as a substitute in the draw against Manchester United while James Milner (head) is also available.
Saido Berahino will not play for West Brom at Anfield after being placed on a personal fitness plan with 23-year-old striker not scoring since February.
Jonny Evans is banned with Jonas Olsson likely to replace him while Chris Brunt is available after making his return from eight months out with a knee injury in last week's 1-1 draw against Tottenham.
Match stats
Liverpool are unbeaten in six Premier League games against the Baggies, but four of these games have ended all square (W2).
West Brom's Premier League wins at Anfield came in April 2012 and February 2013, drawing once and losing seven otherwise.
Daniel Sturridge has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against the Baggies for Liverpool, though hasn't played them since February 2014.
Pulis is unbeaten in his last eight Premier League games against Liverpool, although six have been draws (W2), including each of the last four.
The Baggies have registered just one win in their last 10 Premier League away games (D6 L3).
No other Premier League midfielder has had a hand in more goals than Nacer Chadli this season (6 - four goals, two assists).
Liverpool are unbeaten in six league games for the first time since October 2015 (also six in total). They last enjoyed a longer top-flight unbeaten streak in March 2015 (13 in total).
The Baggies have won just two away league games in 2016, though one of those was on Merseyside v Everton (D7 L5).
No team has picked up more points from losing positions in the top-flight this season than Liverpool (6, level with Everton).
The Reds have failed to score in just two of their 18 Premier League home games under Klopp, with both of those games coming against Manchester United.
Liverpool are now unbeaten in 11 home Premier League games (W6 D5), their longest run since a sequence of 14 in April 2014.
Merson's predictions
I was a bit disappointed in Liverpool against United. People criticised United, who did sit back, but I thought Liverpool were going to come out of the blocks and play like they have been at home recently.
They created two chances in the whole match, and I didn't think it was good enough. They didn't have many ideas, and struggled against a team who, granted, defended well. It was disappointing, and I expected them to win the game.
West Brom are going to be hard to beat, they're doing well, but I think Liverpool will win this. Adam Lallana has to play, they should take a chance and play him.
They missed him against United, they didn't look like they were going to open much up without him in the team. The Baggies will sit back and they need to break them open.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Liverpool are the big 30/100 favourites with Sky Bet to beat West Brom at Anfield in Saturday's final Premier League game. The Baggies are 9/1 outsiders to collect the three points and the draw can be backed at 17/4.
Liverpool have won 4-1 and 5-1 in two of their last three home games and Sky Bet offer 15/8 for the Reds to win this match by three or more goals. West Brom have drawn 1-1 in all of their last three outings and Sky Bet make it 17/2 that this Merseyside match-up ends in a 1-1 draw.
