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Jurgen Klopp admits West Brom deserved a point at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp admits West Brom deserved a point at Anfield
© Reuters
The Reds were frustrated by the battling Baggies.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted West Brom deserved their point from a 1-1 draw at Anfield after his side lost their focus.

New Baggies boss Sam Allardyce, who is unbeaten in his last four league matches at Anfield – all achieved with different clubs – secured his first point since taking over after Semi Ajayi's 82nd-minute header cancelled out Sadio Mane's brilliant strike.

Despite giving up 78 per cent possession, the Baggies out-performed their hosts three to two in shots on target, despite not registering their first until the 51st minute.

Semi Ajayi heads in West Brom's equaliser
Semi Ajayi netted West Brom's equaliser late on (Stu Forster/PA)

Klopp, who was shown a yellow card by referee Kevin Friend for dissent in the second half, accepted that was a failure on their part.

"It does feel like a defeat, but we have a point more than before so it is completely fine," he said.

"It's our fault but they deserved the point. In the first half it looked like 90:10 possession, it's a massive challenge to stay on track and do it again but we should have done it.

"On the same side it is exactly the same challenge to defend like West Brom did.

"In the first five minutes of the second half they had more situations than they had in the entire first half and we could have avoided that by passing easy, simple and quick to the next player but we didn't and that is why it is our fault.

"That is what we have to accept and we do that of course."

Klopp lost Joel Matip to a groin issue in the second half, causing him a problem in central defence again, while midfielder Naby Keita was ruled out before the game with another muscle injury which is likely to sideline him for at least a couple of weeks.

"Joel has told me he felt something in his adductor, that is obviously not too good," added the German.

"Not sure how serious it is but serious enough for him to leave the pitch. The rest of the information I get tomorrow.

"Naby had a muscle injury – I don't know exactly how long but he was not ready today and not for Wednesday (against Newcastle). So we will see."

West Brom achieved their draw despite managing just nine touches in Liverpool's penalty area.

However, Allardyce praised his players for their defensive resilience which earned them a point.

"We've got a point against Liverpool, which no-one outside of us in the dressing room thought we'd get," said Allardyce.

"When the first goal went in I think a lot of people thought how many was it going to be today, particularly after they knocked seven past Palace (last weekend).

"The players were so good today in their discipline, defending as a team, and finding a way in the second half to attack Liverpool when they got the opportunity.

"We couldn't keep sitting back as we did, we got better and better as the second half went on, creating two or three chances – which one was taken by Semi which gave us a precious point today."

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How you voted: Liverpool vs West Brom

Liverpool
87.2%
Draw
5.1%
West Bromwich Albion
7.7%
117
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West Bromwich Albion's Semi Ajayi celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the Premier League on December 27, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1696137201733
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd159333123830
3Leicester CityLeicester169252920929
4Everton159242619729
5Aston Villa1482428141426
6Chelsea1675431181326
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1575326151126
8Manchester CityMan City147522112926
9Southampton167542519626
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham166552321223
11Leeds UnitedLeeds167273030023
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves166371521-621
13Arsenal166281619-320
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155461724-719
15Crystal Palace165472029-919
16Burnley15447920-1116
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton162771825-713
18Fulham152581323-1011
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1615101135-248
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd160214827-192

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