Liverpool 2-2 West Brom: Late Divock Origi deflected strike earns Reds draw

By Patrick Surlis

Monday 14 December 2015 06:38, UK

Divock Origi's 96th-minute deflected strike salvaged a point for Liverpool as they drew 2-2 against West Brom at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.

Jordan Henderson put Liverpool ahead after 21 minutes, before Craig Dawson capitalised on Simon Mignolet's error to level nine minutes later.

West Brom saw Jonas Olsson's volley on the stroke of half-time correctly ruled out for offside, but the Baggies defender put his side in front with a fine header in the 73rd minute.

A serious injury to Dejan Lovren resulted in eight minutes of stoppage time, and the Reds earned a draw in fortunate fashion in the sixth minute of time added on. Substitute Origi's long-range strike took a big deflection of Gareth McAuley and wrong-footed Boaz Myhill before nestling into the corner.

Jurgen Klopp made four changes from the 0-0 draw against FC Sion in midweek, and the returning Philippe Coutinho played a key role in Liverpool's opener.

The Reds found the net early on against a West Brom defence that boasted the best away record in the league.

Coutinho clipped a fine cross to the back post for Adam Lallana, and the midfielder rose above Chris Brunt to head into the path of the onrushing Henderson. The Reds skipper timed his run perfectly, finishing past Myhill with a first-time strike for his first league goal of the season.

The goal came after West Brom's best spell of the match as a deflected Craig Gardner cross tested Mignolet at his near post before a James McClean cross narrowly missed Gardner with Alberto Moreno napping.

The visitors were level nine minutes after Henderson's finish, Dawson making the most of a mistake from Mignolet to fire past a collection of Liverpool bodies stationed on the line.

The Reds 'keeper attempted to punch clear Brunt's deep corner, but missed completely, and after Salomon Rondon had kept the ball alive, Dawson volleyed home.

Albion felt they should have gone in at half-time ahead after Olsson had a goal disallowed just before the break. Gardner was again involved, providing a superb cross to the far post from a set-piece, and an unmarked Olsson was on hand to turn the ball past Mignolet.

But after a short conversation with his assistant Richard West, referee Craig Pawson ruled it out for offside, with Olsson one of several West Brom players ahead of the play at the back post.

The Sweden defender got his goal with 17 minutes to play, though, heading the Baggies in front from Chris Brunt's corner.

Pulis' side had only scored four goals away from home in the league prior to Sunday's match, but looked a threat at every set-piece as Darren Fletcher, stationed in front of Mignolet at corners, caused the goalkeeper problems all afternoon.

Lovren was carried off on a stretcher after Gardner caught the Liverpool man high up his shin moments after West Brom went in front, and the away side came under heavy pressure in the final stages as the Reds looked to avoid back-to-back league defeats.

Benteke slipped in Lallana, but the Reds midfielder saw his low shot well saved by Myhill with ten minutes to play, and the excellent McAuley superbly denied Martin Skrtel at the back post as the defender looked set to level in stoppage time.

Prior to Skrtel's opportunity, Rondon had a chance to seal the points for his side, but the striker dragged his effort wide after James McClean had put him through.

And deep into the eight minutes of stoppage time, Origi salvaged a draw. The forward cut inside, and his hopeful effort from 25 yards looped up off the unfortunate McAuley and into the far corner with Myhill helpless.

The result moves Liverpool into ninth, five points off Manchester United in fourth, while West Brom remain 13th after their third consecutive league draw.

Player ratings

Liverpool: Mignolet (4), Clyne (6), Skrtel (6), Lovren (6), Moreno (6), Can (6), Milner (6), Henderson (7), Lallana (6), Coutinho (6), Benteke (6)

Subs used: Origi (7), Ibe (6), Firmino (6)

West Brom: Myhill (6), Dawson (6), McAuley (7), Olsson (7), Evans (6), Brunt (6), Fletcher (6), Gardner (6), McClean (6), Morrison (5), Rondon (6)

Subs used: Lambert (6)