Liverpool vs West Brom match report: Philippe Coutinho masterminds Reds' win but top spot goes begging late on

Liverpool 2 West Brom 1: Goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho get Reds back to winning ways despite nervy final minutes

Sadio Mane got Liverpool off to the perfect start as he put them ahead in the first half (Getty)

Tracksuit met concrete as Tony Pulis leant back and placed his bottom on the low wall of the dugout; his crossed legs, his folded arms, his pursed lips and silent breath reflecting a smouldering mood.

For the second time in five days, Liverpool knew that a decent victory would send them to the top of the Premier League table, this time at Arsenal’s expense. For the second time in five days, Liverpool met an opponent with a similar if not identical tactical strategy.

Pulis has managed enough teams at Anfield to realise how defining starts can be. He knows how tension can rise inside this stadium when Liverpool fail to score early; how the nervous atmosphere from the terraces infiltrates those on the pitch and playing in red.

Jurgen Klopp celebrates with Dejan Lovren after Liverpool's 2-1 win over West Brom (Getty)

The earliest signs were positive for the visiting manager. Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho each misplaced a pass inside the opening six minutes. The Imperial Walkers that represent Pulis in defence gleefully headed balls away with such force, it seemed that only by introducing harpoons and tow cables would Jürgen Klopp be able to traverse them.

And then the feeling changed. Liverpool scored their first goal in the 20th minute. A second came before half-time. Liverpool were a whirlwind of skill and trickery and West Brom’s taller, bulkier players were unable to keep up. From his sitting position, Pulis looked like he knew his scheme had been foiled.

This, indeed, was an important win for Liverpool because it sends out a warning that parking whichever armour plated vehicle you choose to call it in front of whichever goal Liverpool are attacking will not always be enough to achieve the desired result.

Whereas Coutinho did not do much right when Manchester United came and took a draw on Monday night, having been selected then in a more central position, here he was the game’s outstanding player from the left. Had Ben Foster not somehow clawed away Dejan Lovren’s header from the Brazilian’s free kick in the second half and had Jonas Olsson not flung himself in front of Can’s shot from near the penalty spot soon after, then Coutinho would have had involvement in four Liverpool goals rather than two.

Philippe Coutinho (far left) scores Liverpool's second against West Brom (Getty)

The first arrived just when Liverpool needed it because West Brom’s confidence was growing at the time. It happened, largely because Coutinho’s dummy took two West Brom midfielders out of the game, forcing Craig Dawson to consider whether it was worth going to apprehend Can, who was released by Coutinho’s genius. Instead, Dawson did not really stay nor stray and his indecision left Roberto Firmino with the space to supply a cross and from there Sadio Mané volleyed Liverpool into the lead.

Like the first, the second involved both Coutinho and a mistake, this one from goalkeeper Ben Foster, whose kick fell dreadfully short of the half-way line. Once free, Coutinho was too swift and assure of himself to allow the droids following him to have any influence and his disguised shot was able to hoodwink Foster with the direction of his finish.

Because Liverpool could not register a third goal, Pulis remained consistent with his demand that West Brom’s players work possession down the wings in order to gain the corners and throw-ins, which are the centre-piece of his attacking plan.

Gareth McAuley celebrates scoring West Brom's consolation goal (Getty)

The well-rehearsed set-piece drill came into operation when Chris Brunt pinged in a corner, Olsson acted as a road block for defensive runs and Gareth McAuley made it 2-1.

With that, Anfield became stressed. West Brom, though, had left themselves with too much to do. Liverpool would have been top had Georgino Wijnaldum’s curling shot crept inside the post with seconds remaining.

Instead, they move into second.

Teams

Liverpool (4-3-3): Karius; Clyne, Maitp, Lovren, Milner; Lallana (Wijnaldum 79), Henderson, Can; Mané (Origi 90), Firmino, Coutinho (Lucas 88). Subs not used: Mignolet, Sturridge, Klavan, Moreno.

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-1-1): Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Nyom; Phillips (Morrison 50), Fletcher, Yacob (Brunt h-t), McClean (Robson-Kanu 65); Chadli; Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Galloway, Gardner, Leko.

Referee: N. Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Attendance: 53, 218