West Brom 1 Liverpool 1: Player ratings

West Bromwich Albion

Ben Foster A composed performance kept his side in the game in order to earn their draw. Smothered the ball in a busy penalty area to prevent Toure, Suarez and Sturridge from capitalising. Later kept his composure when one-on-one with Suarez who looked certain to score. 8/10

Billy Jones One of West Brom’s livelier players for the entirety of the game, causing problems when he attacked on the right wing. Solid defensively as well, blocking a Sterling strike out for a corner. 6

Gareth McAuley West Brom’s star player before the substitutes made more of an impression. Was dangerous in set plays, but kept Suarez quiet for most of the match, standing his ground when left one on one with the striker to uncharacteristically waste a prime goal scoring chance. 7

Jonas Olsson Was too wary of Suarez’s threat in the box, and allowed him to get a cross in for the first goal, instead of making a challenge. Suffered an early hamstring injury and was subbed in first half. 4

Liam Ridgewell Made a sting of sloppy passes up the left wing which just increased pressure from Liverpool midfield in the first half. Got an unnecessary booking for pulling back Sterling’s shirt in a non-threatening position. 4

Zoltan Gera Caused the Liverpool defence a lot of problems, winning a free on the edge of the box from a Gerrard challenge. However, he lacked quality in finishing, when his long range shot in a dangerous position failed to trouble Mignolet, wide to the left. 6

Youssuf Mulumbu Was set up for a long-range attempt on the outside of the penalty area early on, only to be thwarted by a Gerrard block. Quiet for the most part, with a few half chances. 6

Claudio Yacob Was a liability discipline wise. Made a cluster of mistimed challenges before his yellow card from a rash challenge on Gerrard. 4

Saido Berahino Quiet, apart from setting Gera up for the best chance of the first half and a spectacular cross for a Brunt shot, didn’t really award his team with anything of much substance. Subbed on the hour mark. 6

Matej Vydra Was found missing for much of the match, but caused problems on the right wing, earning a soft free from Henderson from a non-threatening position. 5

Chris Brunt Extremely wasteful of many opportunities. A half-hearted attempt from inside the penalty area didn’t even make the opposite corner flag, and later wasted dangerous free-kick from edge of area. Got livelier as West Brom’s luck changed, with a forceful free kick and chance on far post from a Berahino cross. 6

Substitutes

Diego Lugano Couldn’t hold his ground against his Uruguayan counterpart when he slipped, leaving Suarez one on one with Foster. 4

Victor Anichebe Catalyst for West Brom’s change of fortune. Won a free-kick minutes after his introduction, and held his nerve well when in front of goal for the equaliser. 8

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet Was a spectator for the first half, but his concentration never slipped, stopping McCauley from an equaliser with an instinctive left palm save. Later held on to Brunt’s free kick to prevent any rebound shots. 7

Jon Flanagan The 21-year-old local lad showed extreme confidence on the ball, and has earned his place in the Liverpool back four. Solid performance. 6

Martin Skrtel Set up a nice partnership with Gerrard in his new position, interlinking play effectively. Characteristically solid in defence. 7

Kolo Toure Had a second-half nightmare. Was at fault for the equaliser, when he gifted Anichebe with a ball across goal for the ex-Everton player to slot home. Had moments early made a clumsy challenge on Anichebe again for a free-kick on the outside of the penalty area. Very panicky performance. 3

Aly Cissokho Blocked an early Jones cross for corner, comfortable in attacking position as well. However is knocked off ball too easily, and struggles with final ball. 5

Jordan Henderson Controlled play in the middle of the field, offloading to Coutinho and Sterling effectively. Extremely collected performance with Gerrard no longer beside him. 6

Steven Gerrard Was in complete control of his midfield in his new holding position. Was often the last man behind the ball, and this was key when he was there to block Mulumbu’s strike in the first half. 8

Raheem Sterling (Man of the match) Massive threat all game. Is no longer muscled off the ball to easily and the 19-year-old orchestrated the first goal. 8

Phillipe Coutinho Was given free reign to play all over the centre of the park. He often won the ball back in a defensive position to set up Liverpool’s attacking play. Is absolutely key in offloading Sturridge and Suarez. 7

Daniel Sturridge Great intuition with his partner to slot home Suarez’s cross for the opening goal. Quiet for the most part after that. 6

Luis Suarez Took the ball from Sterling’s feet in order to make the first goal, but struggled to make an impression other than that as the West Brom defence kept him quiet. Uncharacteristically let a few one on one chances pass him by. 6

Joe Allen Did not have much time to show anything. 5

Martin Kelly did not have much time to show anything. 5