Wasteful Reds suffer defeat to Hodgson's Baggies

Liverpool 0 West Brom 1

Roy Hodgson enjoyed a successful first return to Liverpool as West Brom snatched their first win at Anfield since 1967 with Peter Odemwingie scoring the only goal of the game.

Liverpool dominated throughout but were made to pay for a host of missed opportunities – including hitting the woodwork twice – as the Baggies went in front from Glen Johnson’s mistake 15 minutes from time.

It was the 12th time in 17 home games the Reds have failed to win.

Liverpool's nine draws and two defeats at home have been a direct result of them failing to take their chances and Dirk Kuyt provided an example of that in the 10th minute.

Andy Carroll, starting his third successive match for only the third time season, robbed Youssouf Mulumbu deep in West Brom’s half to allow Luis Suarez to set up the unmarked Holland international on the right of the penalty area.

However, the Dutchman, whose future at Anfield has been the subject of much speculation this week, dragged a shot wide of the far post when he should have at least tested goalkeeper Ben Foster.

From a wider position in the 19th minute Suarez’s cross-shot flashed through the six-yard area and out for a throw-in.

Maxi Rodriguez went sprawling under a challenge from Billy Jones but referee Neil Swarbrick waved away penalty appeals before Carroll headed a good chance wide from the former’s left-wing cross.

Liverpool had moved up a gear and, when Suarez’s first-time shot was parried by Foster, Rodriguez blazed over the rebound.

West Brom had hardly threatened but in the 28th minute Chris Brunt forced Reina, returning from a three-match suspension, into an instinctive one-handed save low to his left after the midfielder had volleyed Long’s knockdown.

Liverpool’s response saw Suarez flick a looping header from Enrique’s cross on to the roof of the net before Liam Ridgewell smashed a close-range shot straight at Reina when Graham Dorrans’ corner dropped in the six-yard area.

Four minutes before the interval Daniel Agger’s close-range shot was turned behind as the home side continued to pressure West Brom’s defence.

Five minutes after the restart another chance went begging as Jordan Henderson smashed a shot against the crossbar with Foster well beaten.

A trademark weaving run along the byline by Suarez saw the Uruguay international fire over with Rodriguez also volleying into the Kop from another Carroll knockdown.

Kuyt then had a shot deflected onto a post by Ridgewell and Carroll both volleyed and headed over as West Brom’s defence came under siege.

The Baggies’ goal was leading a charmed life with Foster saving from Suarez, Carroll falling over as he tried to force home the rebound and Jay Spearing having his shot blocked by Brunt on the line all in the same move before Henderson fired into the side-netting.

But the 75th minute brought the sucker punch which Reds fans who have watched similar games at Anfield this season were probably expecting.

Glen Johnson’s attempts to wriggle out of a tight spot deep on the right of defence saw him give the ball away to Mulumbu who played in Peter Odemwingie to shoot past Reina.

It was only the Baggies’ second goal in 12 visits to Anfield – the last coming when Garth Crooks scored in a 4-1 defeat in 1985 – but if Hodgson felt a degree of smugness he did well to hide it as he sat unmoved on the bench.

Still Liverpool’s onslaught continued with Olsson blocking a certain goal for Carroll and Foster claiming Suarez’s narrow-angle shot at the second attempt.