Match Preview: West Brom vs Liverpool

The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 2-1 win for Liverpool

Liverpool travel to West Brom on Saturday afternoon as they aim to put their last meeting with a Midlands side behind them. The Reds put on a dire performance in the FA Cup semi-final while the Baggies collected a good win away from home at Crystal Palace.

Injuries for Liverpool mean they will be unable to call upon Daniel Sturridge and Lucas Leiva with Mamadou Sakho also out. Adam Lallana will be subjected to a late fitness test for the Reds. West Brom are relatively strong with just three players out; Dawson, Foster and Andre Wisdom who is unable to play against his parent club.

The last time the two sides met was in October 2014. Lallana and Henderson scored on that day with a Berahino penalty sandwiched in between. The last meeting at The Hawthorns between the two sides was in February 2014 in a game that ended 0-0.

West Brom last notched up a win against Liverpool in February 2013. The game at Anfield ended 2-0 for the Baggies with Lukaku last on the score sheet. Overall, Liverpool have a relatively good record at The Hawthorns, however, a recent loss in August 2012 saw the Reds lose 3-0 with Daniel Agger being sent off in the process.

Liverpool are currently 5th in the table, desperately clinging on to the minor miracle of sneaking a way into 4th. If the Reds want any chance at all of following that pipe dream they have to get past West Brom who are currently 13th on 36 points.

Stat Sandwich

• If Gerrard plays it will be his 500th Premier League appearance for Liverpool.
• Tony Pulis has never lost a league game as manager at home against Liverpool.
• The Reds would be top of the league table if only goals from English players counted this season.

I’m not feeling very confident for this one and it may sound cliché but I feel the big loss at Wembley will have a knock-on effect. The Baggies will be feeling confident after watching their local rivals tear us apart and with the home crowd behind them The Hawthorns can be a difficult place to play.

Add to this Pulis’ record as a manager against Liverpool and his preferred style of play and I feel Liverpool will struggle to break down the West Brom defence. This task will, of course be made harder as the Reds are forced to play without Daniel Sturridge. I really wish Brendan would just try something different tomorrow, after all what have we got to lose really? For me, two up top would be worth trying but then I am rather biased here.