West Brom 3-0 Liverpool
Liverpool's Premier League campaign got off to the worst possible start with a red card for Daniel Agger and three balls for Pepe Reina to pick out of our net.
Referee Phil Dowd sent Daniel Agger off and awarded a penalty for pushing
Joe Allen and Fabio Borini were both handed their LFC Premier League debuts in the seasons opener at The Hawthorns.
West Brom saw the best of the early exchanges as nervousness was present in Liverpool's defending. Martin Kelly making a couple of mistakes at right back - a man who hasn't featured too often in Liverpool's pre-season.
Eventually the reds got a handle on the first half and for the majority of it were the better side. However Liverpool's problem of last season - profligacy in front of goal - was back with a vengeance.
Suarez in particular was having a fine first half which was to be expected, more unexpected was the fact that Stewart Downing had a reasonable opening 45 minutes too.
Just before half time though Liverpool failed to clear Morrison's corner and Zoltan Gera smashed an exquisite 25 yarder past Reina.
Liverpool could consider themselves unlucky to go in 1-0 down - especially after an impressive debut from Joe Allen who had shown his wide range of passing skills.
But the second half was to get much much worse.
The reds came out in the second half determined to get the equaliser but yet again the reds were wasteful in front of goal.
Then in the 60th minute Shane Long tumbled under the slightest of touches by Daniel Agger. Phil Dowd awarded the penalty and showed Agger a red card - meaning the defender will miss at least 1 game.
Shane Long stepped up but his penalty was feeble and Reina saved to give ten man Liverpool a fighting chance.
But only minutes later Phil Dowd handed West Brom another pen - this one bordering on the ridiculous - as Shane Long managed to win himself a bizarre penalty by running past and then in to Martin Skrtel.
This time Odemwingie stepped up for the penalty and put it away. 2-0 to West Brom.
Liverpool were on the ropes now - and heads went down as well as legs tightening up. Joe Cole came on, and went off within the space of 11 minutes - hamstring a possible cause.
In the 78th minute the reds again failed to deal with a corner effectively and it was Lukaku who helped himself to an easy headed goal.
Suarez should have scored yet again for Liverpool - firing over from 6 yards.
All in all a woeful start for Liverpool FC. Questions can be levelled at the substitutions - bringing Joe Cole on to a team with 10 men when you have more athletic individuals such as Jonjo Shelvey on the bench was a mistake.
But Liverpool's problems remain what they were all last season - the lack of striking options and a clear cut finisher. Borini appeared to struggle, and Suarez goal to shots ratio has always been poor. If Liverpool don't find the money for a goalscorer in the next 10 days then it could be a long hard slog this year.
Steve Clarke however, Liverpool's former assistant, can enjoy his first competitive game as a manager.
Liverpool face Hearts mid-week away before an easy Premier League game at Anfield. Champions Manchester City.
liverpool!!!please buy a goal-scoring attacking man.have a look on dzagoez or nene or lisandro lopez even berbatov
Fed up with Liverpool performances. Every year same results and history continues. Good Luck to FSG and please stop giving false hope and lies to the life-time fans. U might be new to Liverpool but we are Liverpool from birth.
Please stop these lies about rebuilding, future etc. Take a look at Chelsea and City. FSG you failed in all areas.
Have now just seen the replays and they were both penalties.
I find it quite comical that you are going on about dubious penalties when last seaon Suarez was the king of diving.What goes round comes around.The second half could have been much worse for you in the goals against column
This season LFC’s failure did not
begin from the today defeat against West Brom but from the very 1st
moment that FSG considered to appoint as manager either Roberto Martinez or
either Brendan Rodgers. The strategy FSG
is applying is very dangerous for the future of one of the most historic clubs
in the world and it may be the time for them to consider selling the team to an
owner who has the financial capability to invest heavily and turn the fortunes
of this club by bringing back the glory days.
There are no more excuses for them, for Ian Ayre, for any manager, for
the players. The responsibility belongs
to them and to nobody else!
Baggie here. Haven’t seen a replay but thought Long went down easily for the first but the second looked a nailed on penalty. Long knocked the ball just as Skirtil was about to kick it causing him to catch the player instead.
Obviously the sending off had a huge bearing on the game but was surprised by Gerrard. Not only was he poor throughout but he really didn’t try and gee the team on.
Allen was class and Suarez took our defence apart and should have had a hatrick. Shame he’s such a horrid person because he’s some player.
Doubt it will be a three game ban as that’s only for violent conduct. More likely one match.