Liverpool to be tested by resilient West Brom at Anfield
Published:
Aaron Cox | December 11, 2015
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion
- Premier League
- Sunday, December 13th
- Kick-off: 16:00 GMT
- Anfield, Liverpool
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Liverpool suffered a unexpected setback at St James’s Park last week, when they were beaten by a much-improved Newcastle United outfit. They look to get back on track quickly with a home tie against Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are odds-on at 4/9 with Coral to grab their third successive home victory in all competitions, against a team they have beaten comfortable on each their last two visits to Merseyside. The Baggies are 8/1 to cause an upset, and members of their squad are still around from the famous wins in front of the Kop in 2012 and 2013.
Baggies to frustrate hosts?
We all know that Pulis is a manager who builds from the back, and his team are a solid unit defensively. Not just the back four but the midfield and forwards are integral to any gameplan they will arrive in the Northwest with.
The visitors already have four Premier League clean sheets on their travels this term and no side has conceded fewer goals away from home than West Brom’s five. Another shut-out is priced at 11/2 but West Brom to concede under 1.5 at 6/5 also looks appealing.
Goals to be at a premium
Liverpool aren’t the most prolific of teams this season, and the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge is going to do little to aid that. It’s just 18 goals scored in their 15 matches in the Premier League so far, a paltry total for a team with top four ambitions.
The Baggies are the division’s second lowest scorers themselves, with 14, so don’t expect that much goalmouth action on Saturday afternoon. Under 2.5 goals at 3/4 looks too good to turn down.
Coutinho the key for Klopp
Divock Origi (5/1 to score first) could play a key role if Liverpool are to make inroads into the West Brom defence. The Belgian exploded with a hat-trick in the Capital One Cup last week and could start alongside Christian Benteke (7/2).
However, it is the return of Philippe Coutinho that will be exciting Liverpool fans and worrying Baggies supporters. The little Brazilian was massively missed in the Northeast last week and has netted four in his previous three top-flight outings. He will want to make an immediate impact on his return and he is 5/1 to open the scoring.
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