Premier League: Liverpool vs West Brom match preview

Last season, Liverpool , inspired by a Luis Suarez hat-trick, demolished West Brom 4-1 at Anfield as Brendan Rodger’s side gathered momentum for a shot at the title. Now, the Reds sit four places below their visitors in 14th place, and are looking to reverse their longest run without a win for almost two years.

After a flat performance in their 1-0 defeat to Basel in the Champions League, Rodgers will be hoping an instant response against the Baggies can ignite his side’s season. He will hope, too, that Mario Balotelli can begin to rediscover goalscoring form – despite some promising displays, the Italian striker is yet to score in four league appearances.

However, West Brom should certainly not be underestimated. Alan Irvine’s team have bounced back from last season’s struggles and are 10 in the table – they have won their last three in all competitions, and put four past Burnley last Sunday. They also have a fine record at Anfield – they have won on two of their last three visits, and are unbeaten against Liverpool in their last five league clashes.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3.00pm

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PAST THREE MEETINGS…

West Brom 1 (Anichebe) Liverpool 1 (Sturridge), Premier League, February 2014

Liverpool 4 (Suarez 3, Sturridge) West Brom 1(Morrison), Premier League, October 2013

Liverpool 0 West Brom 2 (McAuley, Lukaku), Premier League, February 2013

STATS…

West Brom’s 4-0 victory over Burnley in their last match was the first time they have scored four goals in a game since November 2012, when they beat Sunderland 4-2.

Saido Berahino has scored four league goals so far this season, just one away from his entire tally last season, when he was the side’s top league goalscorer.

Liverpool have scored twelve goals in their first nine games of the season, or 1.33 goals per game. Last season, Luis Suarez scored 17 in his first 12, 1.42 goals per game.

Liverpool haven’t won any of their last four games in all competitions, their worst run since the 2012/13 season.

ODDS…

Liverpool to win: 1.4

West Brom to win: 8.00

Draw: 4.5

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.