Brendan Rodgers must be sick of the sight of the Hawthorns. It was the scene of a humbling during his first game in charge of Liverpool, and on Sunday he witnessed his side throw away a comfortable lead to gift West Brom a point.
Daniel Sturridge's goal had set the Reds on their way to what looked to be a comfortable three points, but Kolo Toure's moment of madness needlessly swung the pendulum West Brom's way.
Former Everton striker Victor Anichebe equalised from the edge of the box as Rodgers' side blew the chance to go four points clear of the Toffees in the race for the Champions League.
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Thumped: Victor Anichebe pounced on a mistake to smash home a West Brom equaliser
Match facts
West Brom: Foster 7, Jones 6, McAuley 7, Olsson 5, (Lugano 41, 5) Ridgewell 5; Berahino 6, (Anichebe 64, 7) Mulumbu 8, Yacob 6, Brunt 6; Gera 7; Vydra 5. (Dorrans 76, 6)
Goal: Anichebe 67
Booked: Ridgewell, Yacob, Mulumbu, Lugano
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Flanagan 6, (Kelly 74, 6) Skrtel 7, Toure 5, Cissokho 6; Gerard 7, Sterling 7, Coutinho 7, (Allen 74, 6) Henderson 7; Suarez 7, Sturridge 7
Goal: Sturridge 24
Booked: Suarez, Gerrard
MOM: Mulumbu
Att: 26,132
*Player ratings by NEIL MOXLEY at The Hawthorns
It was the combination of Suarez and Sturridge that yielded the opening goal midway through the first half.
The former, wriggling in the box, waited and waited before clipping a ball to the back post for Sturridge to bundle in.
Baggies hands were up for offside but the forward was played on by Billy Jones for his 50th goal in the top flight.
It was the first shot on target in what had been an even contest.
New manager Pepe Mel expected a response from his side after the midweek Midlands depression at the hands of Aston Villa.
He got it to begin with - West Brom, particularly Claudio Yacob, looked to get amongst the visitors - but Rodgers has his side made of sterner stuff nowadays and they looked solid in their pursuit for another away win.
Had Toure not lost his head, they'd be heading back to Merseyside with a vital victory.
Home chances had been limited to pot shots. Zoltan Gera scored a stunning 30-yard volley in the humiliation for Rodgers 18 months ago, but could only flash wide given a similar invitation this time.
Mel reverted to 4-4-2 at the break and they looked a different outfit afterwards, Gareth McAuley stinging a Simon Mignolet palm from a Chris Brunt corner.
Saido Berahino smashed over moments before Suarez should have finished the game.
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Easy does it: Daniel Sturridge scored the opening goal midway through the first half at the Hawthorns
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Cheers mate! Sturridge wheels away to celebrate with the supplier Luis Suarez
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What have I done? Kolo Toure looks dejected after gifting West Brom an equaliser
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Delight: Former Everton striker Anichebe celebrates after slotting past Simon Mignolet
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Putting himself about: Claudio Yacob is hugely important for West Brom and breaks-up play
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Foot in: Philippe Coutinho tries to rob Youssuf Mulumbu of possession in midfield
The Uruguayan delicately chipped Diego Lugano and, bearing down on goal, saw his effort saved brilliantly by Ben Foster. The frustrated shake of the head told its own story about a striker so hungry for more during a season he has largely been unplayable.
And that miss looked to have been costly when Toure conspired to pass across his own goal for substitute Victor Anichebe to drive past Mignolet to score a leveller they scarcely deserved.
Youssuf Mulumbu then went close as they pressed for a winner before Sturridge might have added a second following good wing play from Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool passed their way through West Brom for Daniel Sturridge's opening goal - click here for our brilliant Match Zone
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Intricate: Liverpool's goal came from plenty of possession and ended in Sturridge notching
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Bad memories: Brendan Rodgers' first game as Liverpool manager was a 3-0 defeat away at West Brom
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Watching brief: Zoltan Gera is powerless to stop the direct Coutinho skip by him
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Mixed: Raheem Sterling was impressive for the Reds but Jonas Olsson was forced off in the first half
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What a save! Kolo Toure can't believe it as Ben Foster thwarts the defender from a corner
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Struggling: Jonas Olsson was forced off before half-time with an injury
original post found here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2549714/West-Brom-1-1-Liverpool-match-report-Kolo-Toures-howler-prevents-Reds-going-four-clear-Everton.html
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