West Brom 0 Liverpool 1 - Player Ratings

BEN FOSTER

Not much he could have done about the goal, and he got an important glove to a cross in the second half to paw the ball away. Apart from that he had very little to do. Lucky Alberto Moreno's shooting boots weren't laced, but a goal that late wouldn't have changed much. 5/10

CRAIG DAWSON

Won a few headers in advanced positions but the right-back was caught napping for Liverpool's goal. Failed to react to Lucas's flick-on in time and was beaten to the punch by Firmino in the pivotal move of the match. 5/10

GARETH MCAULEY

Rarely put a foot wrong and stepped up at the right times to make tackles. His long-range passing isn't as flat as it needs to be, but it's not wayward. Helped limit Liverpool to few chances. 6/10

JONNY EVANS

A typically classy Evans performance with hardly any mistakes. Comfortable on the ball, as always, he also senses danger earlier than others and knows when to cover McAuley or Dawson. Picked up a soft yellow card for persistent fouling but never strayed too far from the law. 7/10

CHRIS BRUNT

Deservedly brought into the starting line-up after impressing from the bench against Southampton. But it was his unnecessary shirt pull on Origi that led to the free-kick for Liverpool's goal. Put in a couple of dangerous deliveries. 6/10

CLAUDIO YACOB

Reinstated to the line-up for the first time since the trip to Everton in order to add more steel to midfield, but looked rusty. Very lucky not to give Liverpool the lead after passing the ball straight to Coutinho in his own half and was brought off around the hour mark. 5/10

MATT PHILLIPS

Albion's liveliest player going forward, he nearly set up Robson-Kanu with an early cross and nearly put the ball on a plate for Chadli at the back post. But he fluffed his lines with a poor shot straight at Mignolet with ten minutes to go. 6/10

DARREN FLETCHER

A poor game from the skipper, who lost possession in midfield on several occasions. Although there wasn't always a clear pass on, he was caught dawdling on the ball too much. 4/10

JAKE LIVERMORE - Albion man of the match

Combative in midfield and was one of the few players who used possession well. Whether he was playing short, passes or spraying it out to Phillips on the wing, Livermore was tidy. Looked up for it more than the majority of the rest. 7/10

NACER CHADLI

At first glance it looked like the Belgian had missed another sitter, but replays show Firmino got a tiny touch on Phillips's cross. Apart from that, rarely threatened. 5/10

HAL ROBSON-KANU

Shot tamely at Mignolet after bringing the ball down well on his chest and couldn't get his feet right early on when Phillips squirted a cross his way. Picked up a silly booking and was caught offside too many times, but nobody can fault his desire. 6/10

Substitutes:

James Morrison (Chadli 62)

Added a little bit more composure in possession. 5/10

Salomon Rondon (Robson-kanu 64)

Rolled Matip brilliantly to set Phillips up for his chance, but was crowded out in the box whenever crosses came in. 6/10

James McClean (Yacob 64)

Plenty of fight shown by the always-willing winger. 6/10