For the first time ever, Liverpool have beaten a side managed by Tony Pulis away from home in the Premier League. They did so courtesy of a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns, the only goal of the game coming through Roberto Firmino in added time at the end of the first-half.
It was a largely drab game, as Liverpool kept their heads where they typically lose them, sustaining the expected aerial bombardment to grind out a critical three points. With the game's structure set for the final minutes: West Brom slinging balls into the box, and Liverpool sitting deep, Jurgen Klopp decided to inject a bit of insanity into proceedings by introducing Alberto Moreno as a replacement for Phil Coutinho.
Where Moreno plays, madness reigns, and it was no different in the closing minutes of today's game. With Liverpool clinging on, Ben Foster meandered forward for a corner. Liverpool cleared, and Moreno caught James McClean dallying on the ball. Striding clear, with Daniel Sturridge and Gini Winjaldum in support, Moreno elected to stroke it home himself....and missed.
In fairness, Sturridge had strayed miles offside, but a slide-rule pass to Can would have made an easy chance even easier.
Alberto Moreno streaks clear...
...but with Sturridge to his left and Can to his right, Alberto Moreno elects to shoot toward the empty net...
...and pulls it wide.
Liverpool clung on, however, for a vital three points. Moreno engendered the usual level of disbelieving exasperation:
Moreno 😳
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) April 16, 2017
Moreno trending is never good.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) April 16, 2017
Alberto Moreno is as accurate as a storm trooper. #LFC
— (An)drew (@DrewCanady) April 16, 2017
BREAKING: Moreno to undergo cranial CAT scan as part of international scientific study into black holes
— 𝔼𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 (@elscouse) April 16, 2017
You know Liverpool have been well in control of the game when even Moreno couldn't ruin it.
— 🇱🇹 Paul 🇺🇦 (@Kolology) April 16, 2017
What goes on Inside Moreno's head! #LFC pic.twitter.com/n878Yzw9UP
— Dave Firth (@fuse7777) April 16, 2017
Nonetheless, Liverpool appear to be keeping their nerve in the run-in: they are now third, with 66 points. They are nine points clear of Everton in fifth and United in sixth (United have three games in hand, mind) along with twelve clear of Arsenal, who also have three games in hand.
