West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool. Premier League.
The HawthornsAttendance25,669.
Sunday 16 April 2017 14:08, UK
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has set his side the target of winning their remaining games this season in order to qualify for the Champions League, starting with Sunday's clash at West Brom, live on Sky Sports.
Liverpool travel to The Hawthorns with a six-point cushion over sixth-placed Manchester United in the race for Europe's premier club competition, albeit having played two games more than their rivals.
And the German predicted that Liverpool would seal a top-four finish if they were to win all of their remaining six Premier League matches.
"If we win all the rest of the games it's pretty sure we'll be in the Champions League," Klopp said. "Teams who have less games than us play each other, so they cannot get all the points.
"West Brom have all our respect and all our concentration. We will try to be at our best. West Brom play an outstanding season. Last two or three results they didn't score, but nothing we should think about.
"Maybe they are the most experienced team in the Premier League. They play at home. A lot of things that cause us work. We will fight for the result. That's the only thing I think about."
Incredibly, Liverpool have never beaten a Tony Pulis side away from home in the Premier League, a run dating back to the 2008/09 season and his days as Stoke City manager.
Pulis didn't lose at home to Liverpool through his five seasons at the helm of the Potters, while since then he has famously overseen a 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park during his time in charge at Crystal Palace, before two consecutive draws at The Hawthorns.
"I was hoping you'd not bring that up!" Pulis replied in response to being reminded of his home record against the Merseysiders.
"Let's hope that continues this weekend as well. The most important thing is to get the team organised and well set up and they go out and enjoy it, and enjoy the challenge.
"I think if you have a look in comparison with Arsenal, I've always done very well against Arsenal as well."
Team news
Pulis should have a fully-fit squad to choose from for Liverpool's visit with some players nursing the usual bumps and bruises, but nothing that should hamper the Welshman's team selection.
Few changes to the starting line-up are expected, but the likes of Chris Brunt, Hal Robson-Kanu and James McClean could come into Pulis' thinking.
Meanwhile, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and fellow midfielder Adam Lallana are still not fit to return.
Henderson was expected to begin training this week, but his foot injury is still giving him problems and Lallana (thigh) is not expected back with the squad until the week after next.
Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho should both start after being rested at Stoke, but Klopp has to decide whether to retain the 3-5-2 formation he introduced last week or revert to his preferred 4-3-3.
Opta stats
Since Steve Clarke led West Brom to a Premier League double over Liverpool in 2012/13, the Baggies have not won any of their following seven games against them (D4 L3).
The Reds are looking for their first Premier League victory at The Hawthorns since October 2011, where they picked up a 2-0 win under Kenny Dalglish (D3 L1 since).
Three of West Brom's four goals against Liverpool under Pulis have been scored by defenders (Craig Dawson, Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley).
After keeping 10 clean sheets in their first 11 Premier League games against West Brom, Liverpool have since kept just one in 10 league meetings since then.
West Brom have scored the most goals corners (14) and no side have scored more headed goals (14) than the Baggies this season in the Premier League.
WBA average the fewest successful passes per game in the Premier League this season (218); an average that is less than half of Liverpool's (477 per game - the second best average).
The Baggies have averaged the lowest ball possession figure in the Premier League this season (36.5 per cent) - a category they were also bottom of in 2015-16 (39.4 per cent).
Coutinho has now scored in three successive Premier League appearances, but he's never netted in four appearances in a row in the competition.
Merson's prediction
West Brom have set themselves a certain points target and done brilliantly. They probably don't want to finish too high because it puts the pressure on next season.
The Southampton result was disappointing but I think they get something from Liverpool, who will be thinking they have to win.
The Reds did very well to come back against Stoke and Simon Mignolet made some super saves, but this is a tough one.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Betting
Liverpool are marginally odds-on for the victory at 17/20 with Sky Bet as West Brom are considered 16/5 outsiders, while the draw is priced at 13/5. Firmino and Divock Origi share favouritism in the first goalscorer betting, while Salomon Rondon is rated the hosts' main threat at 13/2, although McAuley (18/1) and Dawson (25/1) are sure to be of interest given their aerial prowess.
