Coutinho stars as Liverpool ease past West Brom

Liverpool moved level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-1 victory over West Brom at Anfield.

The Merseysiders had looked on course to knock the Gunners off the summit as strikes from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho gave them the two-goal advantage they needed going in at the interval.

Ben Foster then stopped the Reds adding to their tally with Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren both thwarted by the Baggies stopper as the hosts completely dominated.

But the Reds' defensive deficiencies came back to haunt them nine minutes from time when they failed to deal with a series of set pieces, resulting in Gareth McAuley crashing in a lifeline for the visitors.

The home side hung on for the points but that late strike from Tony Pulis' men denied Klopp and co the satisfaction of sitting top of the pile on Saturday night.

In terms of the bigger picture, the win comes exactly a year on from Jurgen Klopp's first home match in charge and the Merseysiders illustrated the real progress they have made under the German with some bewitching football at times.

Questions had been raised about Liverpool's ability to break down organised opposition following the stalemate with Manchester United, but they took advantage of some uncharacteristically sloppy defensive play from the Baggies to triumph and lay down a marker of their title credentials.

Liverpool are now second in the table behind Arsenal on goal difference with West Brom just three points off the dropzone in 13th spot.

Liverpool's fantastic four shine - but the defence remains suspect. Adam Lallana's return to the line-up saw Sturridge drop to the bench and the Merseysiders were back to their vibrant best with Firmino the focal point of the attack. All of Liverpool's nine league goals (from open play) at Anfield this term have come from Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana or Mane and the flexibility and movement of the quartet has been too much for most sides, with the Reds now the top scorers in the division. They should have added to their tally but while some observers wonder about profligacy, the real concern for Klopp is that they remain porous at the back; exemplified by the fact West Brom had one real attempt on target and scored from it. In terms of the title, the defence cost them in 2014 and may yet be the Achilles heel that denies them once more.

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool). O Magico was at the heart of Liverpool's best moves, producing a wonderful dummy in the build-up for the opener before an audacious body swerve led to him crashing in the second, match-winning goal.

LIVERPOOL: Karius 6, Clyne 7, Matip 7, Lovren 7, Milner 7, Henderson 7, Can 7, Lallana 8, Coutinho 9, Mane 8, Firmino 8. Subs: Wijnaldum 6, Lucas n/a, Origi n/a.

WBA: Foster 8; Dawson 6, McAuley 7, Olsson 7, Nyom 6; Phillips 5, Yacob 5, Fletcher 6, McClean 6; Chadli 6; Rondon 6. Subs: Brunt 7, Morrison 7, Robson-Kanu 6.

20' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST BROM. Sadio Mane gives the home side the lead with a clinical side-foot volley from Firmino's lovely cross from the left. A superb dummy from Coutinho in the build-up opened up West Brom and allowed Can to feed Firmino on the flank.

35' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 WEST BROM. Liverpool double their advantage. A catalogue of woeful play from West Brom gifts Mane the ball deep in their own territory. Mane feeds Coutinho on the left of the area, who fools two with a jink inside before lashing it into the near post corner.

57' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Almost three. Mane powers down the right and lays it back for Coutinho. The Brazilian plays a one-touch pass into Firmino who sees his low effort blocked by the advancing Foster.

59' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Lovren meets Coutinho's right-wing free kick with a bullet header, but Foster gets across to his right to pull off a super stop.

66' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! What a block! Coutinho surges into the left of the area from Milner's sensational long pass. He puts it on a plate for Can who sees his goalbound drive blocked by Olsson.

70' - WEST BROM CHANCE! West Brom fans go from cheering a corner to putting their heads in their hands. Brunt's right-wing delivery isn't dealt with by the hosts and it falls for Chadli who flashes wide of the upright.

81' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-1 WEST BROM. Liverpool are punished for more poor defending from set pieces. A left-wing corner drops off a plethora of bodies for McAuley who thrashes it into the net from close range.

90' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Wijnaldum flashes a 25-yard effort inches wide of the post. So close to top spot!

Mane has both scored and assisted in two of his four Premier League appearances at Anfield this season.

Firmino has had a hand in 17 goals (12 goals, five assists) for Liverpool in the PL in 2016; more than any other player.

Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games.

West Brom have scored more Premier League goals from corners this season (five) than any other team.