Liverpool vs West Brom Player Ratings

By FOX Sports Staff

Liverpool dominated proceedings but failed to beat an excellent Ben Foster in goal despite 25 shots attempted.

West Brom held on and struck a late blow when Gareth McAuley headed home in the 81st minute. Substitute Romelu Lukaku then sealed the result when he scored their second goal after a swift counter-attack.

Pepe Reina - 5.5
He was barely tested throughout the match but would be disappointed to have been beaten by the two late goals, both of which were not his fault.

Glen Johnson - 6.5
Johnson pushed up well to help Liverpool on the attack but could have done better in terms of his final product - his shooting and crossing failed to create any decent chance for his side.

Jamie Carragher - 6.5
Despite having recently announced his retirement at the end of the season, Carragher gave his all and put in a typically hardworking shift to match Shane Long and shouldn't be blamed for either goal.

Daniel Agger - 5
A rare poor game for the usually steady Danish defender. He lost McAuley in the corner that led to West Brom's first goal and failed to match up to Lukaku's movements in the run-up to the second.

Jose Enrique - 6.5
Enrique put in another swashbuckling display, pushing high up and adding another dimension to the Liverpool attack. However, he failed to break through West Brom's stubborn defence.

Lucas Leiva - 6
Lucas ensured that West Brom's midfielders had a minimal impact on the game with well-timed challenges but was outnumbered eventually as his side pushed forward in search of a goal.

Steven Gerrard - 6
The inspirational captain failed to turn up with the goods this time after his penalty was saved by an excellent Foster. He was also earlier thwarted by the keeper after unleashing a fierce shot which was palmed away.

Jordan Henderson (Off 60') - 7
Henderson kept his game simple and efficient, shifting the ball in Liverpool's midfield well and with ease. He was always lurking outside the box and challenging for the rebounds whenever they came his way.

Jonjo Shelvey (Off 60') - 6
Given a start in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge, Shelvey only served to remind how much the former Chelsea striker has improved Liverpool's strikeforce. For all his determined running, Shelvey's composure and movement in front of goal was lacking and failed to spark a Liverpool goal.

Stewart Downing (Off 78') - 7.5
A neat display from Downing, who showed that he isn't just about pumping crosses into the box. His play down the right flank was excellent, constantly twisting to create space for a cross while he provided many a flick-on to set up his team mates. More significantly, he showed his versatility by crossing with his right leg - a development that can only mean better things to come.

Luis Suarez - 6
Another determined display from the Uruguayan who never stopped chasing every ball but the performance was also tainted by poor finishing

Substitutes
Raheem Sterling (On 60')- 6
He added pace to the attack but failed to spark a goal out of his team.

Fabio Borini (On 60') - 6
Borini had a few half-chances the fell his way but his efforts were matched by equally good saves from Foster.

Phillip Coutinho (On 78') - N/A

West Brom

Ben Foster - 8.5
The best player on the pitch by a mile, Foster pulled off stunning save after stunning save to keep his side in the game. He appeared to have a particular vendetta against Gerrard - he first charged out to deny Gerrard a close-range goal attempt before coming up with an amazing one-handed save to deny Gerrard's thunderous shot in the box before saving the Liverpool captain's penalty.

Steven Reid - 6.5
Reid looked flustered and was lucky to not score an own goal in the first half when he miskicked a clearance just over Foster's bar.

Gareth McAuley - 8
McAuley was dominant in the air throughout the match. He ensured Liverpool's crosses found a player in stripes and never let off any aerial challenge, even cutting his cheek when going for a header alongside team-mate Olsson in the first half. He deservedly put his side ahead with an excellent header, which emphasised his superiority in the air.

Jonas Olsson - 8
Like McAuley, Olsson did well at winning the aerial battles for his side. He was harshly penalised for the penalty in the second half which was then saved by Foster.

Liam Ridgewell - 5.5
Ridgewell was toyed around by Downing and is lucky that his team-mates in the middle managed to cover for him by winning the crosses.

Claudio Yacob - 6
Yacob failed to impose himself on the game early on and spent most of the game chasing down the slick Liverpool midfielders. Full marks for putting in a great deal of effort though.

Graham Dorrans (Off 73') - 6.5
He spent most of the game tracking down Enrique and contributed little to the attack before being taken off the pitch.

Yousouff Mulumbu - 5.5
Mulumbu had a poor game in terms of passing despite managing to find several chances to launch attacks for his side.

James Morrison - 6.5
He spent most of the time trying to close down Johnson and tracking back, which ensured he did not contribute much in attack. However, he did provide Lukaku with the pass which led to the goal.

Chris Brunt - 6.5
The captain was also wasteful on the ball but his set-piece delivery came to the fore again when McAuley headed his corner to give the Baggies the lead.

Shane Long (Off 85') - 6.5
Left to plough up front by himself, Long had little impact on the game in terms of attack but was always trying to close down the Liverpool defenders.

Substitutes

Romelu Lukaku (On 73') - 7
His scary pace and power on the counter-attack was on display minutes after coming on and he did well to beat Agger for the second goal.

Marc-Antoine Fortune (Off 85') - N/A