West Brom kept their slim hopes of Premier League survival alive with a stunning late comeback to draw 2-2 with Liverpool and take the shine off Mohamed Salah’s latest goalscoring landmark.
The Egypt international matched the record of 31 goals for a 38-game top-flight season set by Alan Shearer (1995-96), Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08) and Luis Suarez (2013-14) with three matches still to spare with a clever chipped finish.
Andy Cole’s record of 34 in a 42-game season looks well within the grasp of Salah, who took the limelight away from Danny Ings’ first goal since October 2015.
The final word, though, belonged to Albion as they came from behind with goals from Jake Livermore and then Salomon Rondon in the 88th minute.
Here, are three things learned from The Hawthorns.
FAR FROM PITCH PERFECT
Jurgen Klopp
Teams all season have struggled to slow down Liverpool’s pacey pronged attack but West Brom deployed a tactic which played its part in the visitor’s stuff performance.
The home side opted against watering the pitch at half-time and as the surface dried up, so too did Liverpool’s slick attack.
“It was a difficult game as the pitch got drier and drier. West Brom decided not to water the pitch at half-time and that makes it difficult,” Jurgen Klopp said post-match.
“It makes a massive difference. A team like West Brom do not need a wet pitch, they can do it next year playing on a dry pitch in the Championship.”
While it is a legitimate excuse, both West Brom goals arrived from set-pieces and given that’s been Liverpool’s weakness all season, how much the pitch had to do with that when 2-0 up is dubious.
It would seem Klopp’s saltiness was the drier than anything else on the day.
LESS NOT MORE OF ALBERTO
“Can understand Salah having a go but Moreno was free to his left, maybe he was a better option”
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) April 21, 2018
Do you know who Alberto Moreno is pal? #LFC
There are certain Liverpool players routinely rounded upon after disappointing results and for a long time Alberto Moreno was target No1.
Then the Spaniard enjoyed a bit of a career renaissance before injury paved way for the emergence of Andrew Robertson. Moreno has since struggled to work his way back into the side but handed a first start since late November, the 25-year-old didn’t just fail to make a big impression but proved himself negligible.
What Robertson offers is clever positioning and genuine crossing ability – neither are qualities Moreno possesses. However, he does provide an ability to spread chaos and panic not just at the back but in midfield with James Milner and Jordan Henderson frequently sucked in to the left to cover the gaping hole left by Moreno.
Going the other way, practically every occasion Gigi Wijnaldum had possession, there was seldom an overlap from Moreno who offered very little when he did see the ball.
He attempted one tackle – and was booked for it – and made no interceptions with his solitary cross blocked. Liverpool fans will yearn for Robertson’s immediate return.
WHAT MORE TO SAY ABOUT SALAH?
Mohamed Salah celebrates goal No31 in the Premier League
Mohamed Salah has already been ordained the Egyptian King and he will add PFA Player of the Year to his title come the conclusion of the weekend.
A 31st Premier League goal this season, equalling the 38-game record for a single campaign, was reached in typically exquisite fashion.
It was far from his best performance but in the manner of all great players, he didn’t need to be to make a discernible impact.
It’s hard to comprehend that at the beginning of this season the biggest criticism of Salah was his poor form in front of goal, fast forward to present day and he’s one of Europe’s most clinical finishers.
Egyptian King, POTY and next up a Golden Shoe. Both Harry Kane and Kevin De Bruyne must be gutted for the emergence of Salah.
