Liverpool’s FA Cup journey comes to an end at the hands of West Brom at Anfield as defence fails Jurgen Klopp’s men again.
Liverpool are knocked out of the FA Cup after two goals from Jay Rodriguez and a Joel Matip own goal sends West Brom through to the 5th Round of the competition. Roberto Firmino’s penalty miss proved costly when he had the chance to equalise.
Liverpool started brightly and took the lead through a Roberto Firmino goal after Foster saved an initial shot from Salah which was put in the path of the Brazilian. Firmino chipped the shot past Forster who was away from his line and could do nothing about it.
Jay Rodriguez punished the Liverpool defence with two goals to his name gave the Baggies the lead. A third goal was scored but was ruled out after VAR was used. Liverpool then were awarded a penalty using VAR again but Firmino hit the post with his shot. West Brom shortly doubled their lead after Dawson’s shot was directed into the net by Matip.
In the second half, Salah scored to make it 3-2 but that wasn’t enough for Liverpool to revive the game. It ended 3-2, meaning Liverpool crash out of the FA Cup and will only have the champions League to contend with.
Simon Mignolet: 4/10
Could do nothing about the goal, but was suspect of bad goalkeeping as he has been throughout the season. Could have done better for the first Rodriguez goal as well as anticipating the striker’s second had he read the game well. Was even suspect for the disallowed goal where he missed punching the ball by a distance.
Overall, a bad performance from a keeper looking to secure his Liverpool future and become their undisputed No.1.
Trent Alexander Arnold: 4.5/10
The first two West Brom goals came from his side of the pitch, and although he tried to stop them both, unfortunately, he could do nothing about it. He did send a beautiful ball for Mane once and also got a shot at the target which was duly saved. Was a threat going forward in the second but his delivery failed him as well. Was heavily involved in Liverpool’s second goal. Overall it must have been a great learning experience for the youngster.
Alberto Moreno: 5/10
Was a threat going forward and attacked the Baggies’ back line from the left with decent effect. Tried to send a few balls into the box, but failed to find his teammates on multiple occasions. One ball for Mane was great but the Senegalese disappointed. Moreno was suspect for the third West Brom goal.
Virgil Van Dijk: 4.5/10
Van Dijk Career at Liverpool so far.
3 Games.
4 Goals conceded.
0 Clean sheets.
75 Million pounds. pic.twitter.com/NMZMnb12Hj— Nabit (@Pogbalogy) January 27, 2018
Far too casual in defence. Virgil Van Dijk was brought in to shore up the back line but has done everything but that since. Could have avoided a miserable defensive performance had he marshalled the defence well. Was the culprit in conceding the corner from which Dawson scored the disallowed goal.
Joel Matip: 3.5/10
The main culprit in a shambolic Liverpool defence. Matip’s marking in the first half was all over the place and the Liverpool defence looked all too vulnerable in the first period. A miserable first half was compounded by a bizarre own goal which by all means could have been avoided. He did put in a good shift in the second period but was of no use as Liverpool failed to come back.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 5.5/10
Worked hard in midfield but was the player who gave the ball away for the first West Brom goal. Lost possession a few times but overall it wasn’t his night and certainly not at his best.
Emre Can: 5/10
Like Winaldum it wasn’t his night either, as he struggled against a busy West Brom midfield set up. For the second goal, Can was the player who gave the ball away and his side was duly punished. Taken off in the second half to be replaced by Henderson.
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 4/10
Was included in the side for adding more attacking prowess against West Brom. Had a bad game and although a few opportunities fell his way, couldn’t do anything with it. Was subbed off to be replaced by James Milner in the second half.
Mohammed Salah: 6/10
An attacking spark for Liverpool as he has been this season. Was heavily involved in the opening goal as it was his shot that Foster saved which Firmino then converted. Won the penalty as well and attacked the Baggies’ defence well. Scored Liverpool’s second goal but it wasn’t enough to salvage anything out of the game.
Sadio Mane: 5/10
Missed few good chances to score in both halves. Was a constant threat going forward but his final act was poor and cost Liverpool dearly. Taken off in the second half to be replaced by Danny Ings as Klopp looked for goals from his side.
Roberto Firmino: 6/10
A mixed bag of a performance by the Brazilian who started lively in attack and duly scored the opening goal that Liverpool deserved for their performances till that point. Missed a penalty which could have put Liverpool level with West Brom, but also provided the assist to Liverpool’s second goal scored by Salah.
Substitutes
Jordan Henderson: 5/10
Effective when brought on. Henderson was playing his first game in over a month after being out with an injury. Brought others into play with his style but it could not revive a Liverpool side from crashing out.
James Milner: 4/10
Ticked the Liverpool attack to an extent but could not do much. Had a good shot saved by Foster but that was all.
Danny Ings: 5/10
Was lively when brought on and seemed like a workable option from the bench for Liverpool. Had a shot saved and slipped when put through by Moreno late in the game to score.
