By Jonathan Carroll
As opening days go, this one started out fairly even between West Brom and Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers was once again looking to mould his 4-3-3 system and start the season off with three points. In the home dugout, Steve Clarke was plotting Liverpool’s downfall.
After taking some time to settle in, Liverpool found their passing game. Luis Suarez had two shots on goal that were saved by Ben Foster, while at the other end Shane Long’s willingness to chase and hustle defenders was unsettling Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger.
Early in the second half Zolton Gera rocketed home a volley from twenty yards out. James Morrison’s corner was easily dealt with by Skrtel and Glen Johnson pressured the second ball but Gera’s first touch and strike were flawless. Liverpool were the better team up to that point and once again found themselves behind against the run of play. A common theme from last season.
West Brom would go on to dominate proceedings. Shane Long caused hassle amongst Liverpool’s back four all day long and got his just rewards when Agger pushed him from behind when clean through on Pepe Reina’s goal. The Irishman’s penalty was tame and easily saved by Reina. At this point the game was passing by people like Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing. Only minutes after Longs penalty was saved, the little striker chased down Skrtel as he attempted to clear and was duly clipped from behind by Skrtel who was now having a torrid time. Peter Odemwingie dispatched the penalty.
As things went from bad to worse Joe Cole came on as a substitute and ten minutes later also went off again. Andy Carroll replaced Lucas Leiva and proceeded to be assaulted by Jonas Olsson which wasnt picked up by referee Phil Dowd who then decided to book Carroll.
West Brom made it three nil when Liam Ridgewell’s lofted cross was headed home by substitute Romelu Lukaku. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. It’s not time to press the panic button just yet. However, some worrying things that stood out today will include Gerrard’s lack of involvement in the entire game, Liverpool’s wastefulness on front of goal and the ease with which Shane Long, a striker who doesn’t start for his country can cause all sorts of problems for two established international defenders in Agger and Skrtel. Brendan Rodgers faces a mammoth task. Neither Clint Dempsey or Nuri Sahin will magically cure the current problems. It is going to take some time adapting to a new manager, a new system. Liverpool supporters will only hope it doesn’t take too long. Patience is needed.
West Bromwich Albion
- 01 Foster – 7
- 02 Reid – 7
- 03 Olsson – 7
- 06 Ridgewell – 7
- 23 McAuley – 6
- 05 Yacob – 6
- 07 Morrison – 7 (Brunt – 82′ )
- 21 Mulumbu – 7
- 09 Long – 9 (Lukaku – 68′ )
- 22 Gera – 8 (Fortune – 68′ Booked )
- 24 Odemwingie – 7
Substitutes
- 13 Myhill
- 18 Jara
- 25 Dawson
- 10 El Ghanassy
- 11 Brunt
- 20 Lukaku
- 32 Fortune
Liverpool
- 25 Reina – 6
- 02 Johnson – 6 (Booked)
- 05 Agger - 5 (Sent Off)
- 34 Kelly – 4
- 37 Skrtel – 4
- 08 Gerrard – 3
- 19 Downing – 5 (Carragher – 60′ )
- 21 Lucas – 6 (Booked) (Cole – 68′ )
- 24 Allen – 5
- 07 Suarez – 7 (Booked)
- 29 Borini – 5
Substitutes
- 01 Jones
- 23 Carragher
- 10 Cole (Carroll – 79′ Booked )
- 14 Henderson
- 26 Adam
- 33 Shelvey
- 09 Carroll
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