WBA punish wasteful Reds

Liverpool were left to rue missed opportunities once again yesterday, as Peter Odemwingie exploited an error from Glen Johnson to grab a winner for Roy Hodgson’s West Brom after the hosts had earlier squandered countless chances. It secured the Midlanders’ first victory at Anfield since 1967 and leaves the Merseysiders with an abysmal total of just seven points from 10 games.

Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt were afforded rare starting places on the wings, while first choice keeper Pepe Reina returned between the sticks after a three-match suspension. Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard was left out altogether as Henderson partnered Spearing in the centre of a weak looking midfield four.

With momentum garnered from beating local rivals Everton to reach the FA Cup final last weekend, Liverpool began the brighter and had the better of the early chances. After 10 minutes, Carroll robbed possession from Mulumbu and fed Suarez who, in turn, found Kuyt in space on the right. Unfortunately, the out of form Dutchman saw his right footed shot roll just wide of the left hand upright when the number 18 really should have been more clinical.

Encouraged by claiming two late winners against Blackburn and Everton, Carroll was active and influential in attack. Midway through the first period he nodded over the bar from Maxi’s curled cross, before five minutes later he set up Suarez, only for McAuley to bravely block his effort on goal.

Up until that point Liverpool had been dominant and Reina was a mere spectator. The Spaniard was called into action shortly before the half hour mark, though, as Brunt’s shot from 12 yards out forced the keeper into an impressive save to prevent the visitors from taking an undeserved lead.

The home side, nevertheless, ended the half in the ascendancy, Spearing, who was making his 50th appearance for his hometown team, firing narrowly wide and Agger hitting the side-netting from close range before the break. Although the away side had defended well during the first 45, Liverpool were undoubtedly in complete control of the contest, and that superiority extended into the second half as well.

Frustratingly, our old enemy the woodwork reared its ugly head again yesterday, agonisingly preventing us taking the lead on two separate occasions. First, an intricate and inventive move involving Johnson, Kuyt and Carroll culminated in Henderson’s excellent effort rattling Foster’s cross bar. Then, Kuyt hammered against the post on the hour mark. In between, Suarez excited Kopites by nutmegging Billy Jones but blazed over the bar when teammates were better placed to break the deadlock.

On 62 minutes, Johnson raced towards the by-line and cut the ball back for Carroll but regrettably the tall Geordie striker couldn’t keep his header down. After that, the mother of all goalmouth scrambles remarkably failed to produce an opener for the Reds. Carroll was denied at first, before Spearing’s shot was blocked and McAuley managed to beat Maxi to the ball. West Brom gained temporary relief but the hosts were relentless and Henderson fired inches wide as Liverpool desperately looked for the opening goal their performance merited.

Dalglish brought on Bellamy and Downing with 23 minutes remaining in an attempt to prise open the structured and determined defence crafted by Roy Hodgson. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful, and West Brom counter-attacked effectively to deal the Reds a devastating blow.

After 75 minutes, Mulumbu stole possession from Johnson all too easily and, after sliding in Odemwingie, the Nigerian eased past Enrique to fire past the helpless Reina. It was a fatal error from Johnson, whose indecisiveness cost Liverpool dearly.

The Reds reacted, but by that stage it became obvious it just wasn’t going to be their day. Foster fumbled Bellamy’s shot but Olsson blocked Carroll’s rebound and soon after referee Neil Swarbrick brought an extremely frustrating afternoon to an end.

Comparisons with the 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal after lifting the Carling Cup have understandably been drawn. In both League games immediately after winning at Wembley, Liverpool have absolutely dominated the match but failed to convert the gilt-edged opportunities created and consequently suffered exasperating defeats.

On this occasion, the Reds enjoyed 61% of possession and had 28 shots, 12 of which were on target, and 15 corners. However, the simple fact is that football is about scoring goals and West Brom managed that yesterday while Liverpool inexplicably didn’t.

Until our problems in front of goal are rectified, progress in the Premier League is impossible.

YNWA