Liverpool won 2-1 at home to West Brom today and looked supreme, but they made it hard enough for themselves at times. Here are all the talking points.
Liverpool continue to look (mostly) unplayable - and they know it...
"Can they do it against the better teams?" asked BT's Glenn Hoddle in the second half. The evidence so far this season would suggest that the answer is, "Yes, they most certainly can." And despite the fact that it was against a West Bromwich Albion side who all looked like they'd spent the week guzzling lead and pretty much handed Liverpool their second goal, Liverpool fans surely can't help but purr at how good their team is looking. What is more, their team are really enjoying their football. Some nifty Firmino tricks and a celebration between Coutinho, Firmino and Mane that would light up the Coppers dance floor seem to indicate a side full of confidence and enjoying their football. Until the last twenty minutes, that is.
...but they're still vulnerable from set-pieces
West Brom's first corner of the game, greeted by enraptured applause and cheering from the Baggies corner of Anfield, should have been utterly routine for Liverpool. West Brom have big players, yes, but Liverpool as legitimate title challengers should not be troubled by what little threat they may pose. Yet on this occasion, the defence flapped like a quartet of panicked chickens, and allowed Nacer Chadli to shoot narrowly wide. Soon afterward, they repeated the trick and James Morrison went close. Then, on 81 minutes, Gareth McAuley, that well-known scourge of top defences, capitalised on further 'Pool consternation to poke home a scrappy goal and cause nerves at Anfield when there really shouldn't have been any.
This game certainly won't have eased Jurgen Klopp's fears about his side's frailties at the back.
Tony Pulis + football = death
Tony Pulis has a job to do - to keep West Brom in the Premier League. And he is doing it, superbly. As a West Bromwich Albion affiliate, I have no issue with the above equation. For West Brom followers it is simply a sad fact of life, a reality of existence. Death, taxes and low expectations are the realities and certainties of the day for Baggies. The manic reaction by the away support to West Brom winning their first corner is enough evidence for this alone. But who cares? We're still riding high after the incredible draw against Spurs. That finish by Chadli, eh?
Daniel Sturridge continues to fade into irrelevance
One gets the sense that Sturridge has been given leeway by Liverpool fans - and then some. No goals in the Premier League so far and Sturridge was left out by Klopp completely today. After a poor performance after starting against United one sensed that perhaps Sturridge's days of starting at Liverpool were numbered. Not even to get called on here will worry him.
He looked delighted.
Michael Owen is the most boring pundit in the history of punditry
Recently, Michael Owen figured out that he might as well say something slightly controversial in order to stir some sort of interest in the things coming out of his mouth - but he ended up just pissing people off. Still, he might have launched an expletive-filled rant of some description at Tony Pulis' fashion habits, Jurgen Klopp's hair or the baldness of the fourth official. Anything to save us from the coma-inducing banalities he seems obliged to spew forth. The next goal is crucial, was the gist of the great sage's mutterings as the second half re-commenced.
On a minor note, Hal Robson-Kanu wearing number '4' provoked 'Shane Duffy wearing number 7' levels of outrage
Robson Kanu needs an 8 week ban, from all types of football for picking number 4 at WBA
— Feeding Goater (@FeedingGoater) October 22, 2016
Robson-Kanu wearing the #4 shirt is a footballing abomination
— Jamie 🌎 (@JCollettCFC) October 22, 2016
SEE ALSO: My Personal Baggage: The Mundane Life Of A West Brom Fan In Ireland
SEE ALSO: Alex Bruce Breaks Hearts By Debunking The World's Favourite Steve Bruce Story
