West Brom 0, Liverpool 2: Chris Lepkowski's relegation verdict
The Baggies were always destined to be punished. An early period of dominance was fruitless, although they had chances – the story of their season in so many ways.
Fortuné’s third-minute pass for Menseguez would have left the Argentinian with the simplest of opportunities but Jamie Carragher came to Liverpool’s aid with a clearance as Menseguez waited to pounce.
Two minutes later they went even closer. Greening raced towards Chris Brunt’s corner and his first-time shot was saved by Reina. Greening reacted quickly with a second attempt – again Reina was to deny him.
Fortuné looked a good bet to score in the eighth minute. Greening’s low cross was cleared by Daniel Agger as the striker prepared to pounce.
That was Albion’s best period during the first half with Liverpool soon settling down. Robert Koren was in the right place at the right time to bloke Emiliano Insua’s shot, before Liverpool were gifted a goal.
A great deal of Albion’s misery this season has come from within. And in the 28th minute Martis was punished. The defender miscontrolled a cross-field pass, allowing Gerrard to nick the ball off him. The Reds skipper raced towards goal and lifted the ball over Dean Kiely. The keeper, retaining his place at the expense of Scott Carson, kept his side in the game with an excellent stop just before the interval when he tipped Fernando Torres’ header over the bar.
The Baggies controlled the early part of the second half and went close in the 52nd minute when Menseguez and Fortuné exchanged a one-two. Menseguez drilled his angled shot straight at Reina.
Fortuné went agonisingly near to restoring parity. A slick move, started by Borja, released Menseguez. He raced past the last defender and threaded a pass to Fortuné only for Leiva to muscle in front of the Albion man and prevent him from reaching the ball.
It was game over for Albion’s Premier League hopes on the hour. Kuyt wheeled past Jonas Olsson and struck a low shot from 25 yards to beat Kiely.
Leiva could have made it three when he nipped past Olsson but was denied by Kiely’s outstretched hand.
Albion’s search for a goal against the Reds continued. Moore struck the post in the 74th minute, with Fortuné sending his header over from close range just moments later.
The incidents sparked an ugly confrontation between Alvaro Arbeloa and Carragher with both Liverpool players having to be reprimanded by referee Martin Atkinson.
Albion continued to chase for a goal. It never came.
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