Liverpool hopes to outpace its rivals in the sprint to finish line of the 2014-15 Premier League season, but its stutter-step against West Bromwich Albion at the start of the final stretch could prove costly.
Liverpool played West Brom to a goal-less draw Saturday in an utterly forgettable Premier League game at the Hawthorns. The teams needed three points to advance their respective hopes of concluding the season successfully. Both settled for just one and now must endure the feeling of disappointment only a missed opportunity can cast over a camp.
Liverpool needed a forceful response to last weekend’s FA Cup semifinal loss to Aston Villa, but the expected replay never came. While the visiting Reds dominated possession and territory against West Brom, they rarely threatened to turn those advantages into goals and points in the standings.
Saturday’s game also set the stage for Liverpool to mark milestones with a stirring performance, as manager Brendan Rodgers led Liverpool out for the 150th time, and captain Steven Gerrard played his 500th Premier League game for Liverpool. Only Ian Callaghan (640) and Jamie Carragher (508) have played more league games than Gerrard has for the Reds.
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But there would be no milestone moments or sentimental gifts for Rodgers, Gerrard or the Reds. Instead of surging forward, HMS Liverpool, the ship they steer, plods toward the end of the season at one speed, in one direction. The approach only is capable of overrunning those teams who already are on board for their summer vacation.
However, Tony Pulis’ West Brom is not one of those groups. The Baggies are fighting for their Premier League survival. They showed focus and determination in spades in fending off Gerrard and Rodgers’ other Reds. West Brom’s organized defense dropped deep, kept its focus and nullified Liverpool’s attack until the game came to life with a flurry early in the second half.
Stand-in goalkeeper Boaz Myhill denied the first two of Liverpool’s three most promising scoring chances in the 56th minute. Philippe Coutinho first drew a routine save out of Myhill in the 56th minute. Jordan Henderson then hit a follow-up effort from closer range with more power, but Myhill’s reflexes were equal to the Liverpool vice-captain’s shot.
West Brom replied through Craig Gardner, whose shot hit the side netting one minute later.
Liverpool’s impressive winger Jordon Ibe hit West Brom’s crossbar in the 63rd minute.
West Brom countered two minutes later, forcing Simon Mignolet into making a save at his near post. Dejan Lovren then cleared the ball off the goal line, preventing the hosts from tapping in the opening goal.
Liverpool called, West Brom responded, but that was the extent of the goal-mouth action.
The game almost petered out without further incident, but Lovren missed the target with a late header before Mignolet made another fine save deep into second-half stoppage time.
Gerrard’s 500th league game looked much like his other recent outings. The veteran midfielder largely was ineffective. Gerrard’s technical excellence remains, but he lacks the physical authority to drag LFC through the nadir through sheer force of will as he has done so many times in the past.
Rodgers, who claimed this week there is no better person to lead Liverpool at this moment in time, will wonder on which players he can rely when the Reds’ form slips, and opponents aren’t in the giving mood.
Liverpool’s fading hopes of surpassing Manchester City and qualifying for next season’s Champions League might soon have to give way to more realistic aims of holding off Southampton and Tottenham for fifth place in the final Premier League standings.
Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com
