Liverpool came into the day with plenty left to play for. They were still fighting for a European spot, just as a back up in case they fail to win the Europa League. They were also fighting for money.
According to the broadcasters, each spot up the table earns about an extra million in your pocket. Unfortunately, the day did not get off to a rousing start.
In the 13th minute, West Brom break through the Liverpool defense to take a 1-0 lead. The Reds defense was caught flat footed as Leko sliced through them and then Rondon finished it off. Rondon took it on the right side of the box, took a quick touch around the defender and slotted it just under Adam Bogdan.
In typical Jurgen Klopp fashion though, the Reds didn't give up. It wasn't really a team effort that equalized the game. Jordan Ibe took the game on his shoulders. Ibe, who has all but disappeared in recent weeks to months, came out like a man in form. He cut through the West Brom back line from the center line, into the box and as Benteke led some opposition away, Ibe finished it off from the center of the box in the 23rd minute.
After those goals, it somewhat settled into a typical end of season affair. Liverpool had a chance or two into the attacking third, but nothing that created much danger. The most interesting thing was actually the yellow cards. Brad Smith got one for simulation and then James McClean was awarded one for a rather foolish challenge on Jon Flanagan, well in the Liverpool area.
The first half was about what one would expect, outside of conceding the goal. Liverpool dominated the possession by almost 50% in the difference. However, given the mixture of regulars who were either returning from injury or had fallen out of the starting XI and the younger players, there wasn't enough cohesion to really get things rolling.
Liverpool just escaped the hangman's noose right away in the second half. After giving away a free kick, Rondon got a flick off the head that beat Bogdan but rang off the nearside post. The defenders were composed enough to make the clearance and the Reds survived the exchange.
The second half was much the same as the first, minus the possession. West Brom actually had the better of the chances as they threatened the target quite a few times.
Most of them never truly made it on target with any danger, but it still was a bit too uncomfortable for supporters of the Reds. Rondon will also feel unlucky not to have scored. After missing several in the first half and the flick earlier in the second, in the 66th minute he bobbled an initial chance, but still got a shot on goal that was barely deflected wide.
In a bit of good news for the team, both Danny Ings and Jordan Henderson entered the game in the 64th minute. Neither of them did anything spectacular, but just being on the pitch was enough for them given their injuries.
In the end, the game would finish 1-1. It was a fair result given the overall nature of the game, but again a bit disappointing for fans simply because West Brom were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league and their club conceded.
The focus now shifts to Basel, Switzerland and the matchup with Sevilla. Liverpool will have it all to do. The Spaniards are two time champions in this competition and Liverpool have gotten by more on guile and will than actual skill in many fixtures. They'll need it all to come up with a win on Wednesday, but there's no reason they cannot summon it.
Random Thoughts:
- It was good to see Hendo and Ings back. It's unlikely Ings will have shown enough to get into the Europa Final squad, but I loved his energy earlier in the season. You can never tell who will stay or go under a new manager, but I'd like to see Ings get a good run under Klopp.
- Lucas is a fine player and I respect his talents. However, the combination of him playing as a central defender by itself and then pairing him with Martin Skrtel is a nightmare.
- Springboarding off that idea, what ever happened to Steven Caulker? I understand you can get both Lucas and Allen on with this formation, but Lucas is a midfielder. Defensive as he might be, he just shouldn't be a central defender in my opinion.
- Liverpool spent way too much time defending in the second half. I understand this is a makeshift squad, but they did fine in the first half and looked like a recreation league side at times in the second.
- I still think he has a good future, but Ibe is too much like Raheem Sterling at times. Incredible skill, but a penchant for taking on too many defenders when better options are available.
- Even as a fan of Brendan Rodgers, there is no doubt this club is better under Klopp. That said, it's all the more disappointing that their inconsistencies had them finish in eighth, which is lower than any finish under Rodgers.
- Nothing to do with the West Brom game, but I'm not liking what I'm hearing about the Europa Final. Telling people without tickets to stay away, rumors of Liverpool supporters being kept out or not able to buy extra tickets. It just doesn't have a good smell.
Walk On
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