- Date:29 Aug 2010
- Kick-off:15:00:00
- Venue:Anfield
- Fernando Torres (64:54)
Live Commentary
The match has reached full-time.
- 92mins
Jonas Olsson sends in a cross.
- 92mins
Somen Tchoyi produces a cross, Jamie Carragher manages to make a clearance.
- 91mins
The ball is crossed by Nicky Shorey, Christian Poulsen makes a clearance.
- 90mins
Daniel Agger fouled by Somen Tchoyi, the ref awards a free kick. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.
- 89mins
The ball is sent over by Leiva Lucas, Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Save by Scott Carson.
- 88mins
Ryan Babel on for Fernando Torres.
- 87mins
Nicky Shorey fouled by Fernando Torres, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is delivered by Chris Brunt, Gabriel Tamas produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
- 87mins
The ball is crossed by Somen Tchoyi, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.
- 85mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by James Morrison. James Morrison is shown a red card. Free kick taken by Daniel Agger.
- 84mins
Somen Tchoyi produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.
- 83mins
Corner taken by Steven Gerrard played to the near post, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
- 83mins
Inswinging corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
- 82mins
Fernando Torres takes a shot. Gonzalo Jara gets a block in.
- 81mins
Somen Tchoyi concedes a free kick for a foul on Leiva Lucas. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.
- 81mins
Chris Wood joins the action as a substitute, replacing Marc-Antoine Fortune.
- 80mins
Peter Odemwingie takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a save.
- 78mins
Chris Brunt produces a cross, clearance by Daniel Agger.
- 74mins
Somen Tchoyi on for Graham Dorrans. Corner from right by-line taken by Chris Brunt.
- 74mins
A cross is delivered by Peter Odemwingie, blocked by Daniel Agger.
- 74mins
Glen Johnson produces a cross, Gonzalo Jara manages to make a clearance.
- 73mins
Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Scott Carson makes a save.
- 71mins
Fernando Torres takes a shot. Scott Carson makes a save.
- 72mins
Corner taken right-footed by Graham Dorrans to the near post, clearance made by Daniel Agger.
- 71mins
Fernando Torres takes a shot. Scott Carson gets a block in.
- 71mins
Foul by Christian Poulsen on Youssouf Mulumbu, free kick awarded. Nicky Shorey takes the direct free kick.
- 69mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by James Morrison. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
- 64mins
Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Blocked by Daniel Agger. Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a save. Fernando Torres finds the back of the net with a goal from just outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 West Brom.Assist by Dirk Kuyt.
- 67mins
Glen Johnson fouled by Chris Brunt, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
- 64mins
Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Blocked by Daniel Agger. Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina. Fernando Torres fires in a goal from just outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 West Brom.The assist for the goal came from Dirk Kuyt.
- 67mins
Effort from outside the penalty box by Peter Odemwingie goes wide left of the goal.
- 64mins
Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Blocked by Daniel Agger. Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Assist by Dirk Kuyt. Save by Jose Reina. Fernando Torres fires in a goal from just outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 West Brom.The assist for the goal came from Dirk Kuyt.
- 66mins
Fernando Torres concedes a free kick for a foul on Youssouf Mulumbu. James Morrison takes the direct free kick.
- 64mins
Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Daniel Agger gets a block in. Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Assist on the goal came from Dirk Kuyt. Save by Jose Reina. Fernando Torres fires in a goal from just outside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 West Brom.
- 64mins
Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Gabriel Tamas gets a block in.
- 62mins
The ball is swung over by Steven Gerrard, Chris Brunt makes a clearance.
- 62mins
Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Rodriguez Maxi from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Graham Dorrans.
- 59mins
Fernando Torres sends in a cross, Martin Skrtel produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
- 58mins
(Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Rodriguez Maxi coming on for Milan Jovanovic. Steven Gerrard takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Chris Brunt manages to make a clearance.
- 57mins
The ball is delivered by Steven Gerrard, save made by Scott Carson.
- 55mins
Graham Dorrans produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
- 53mins
Fernando Torres gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonas Olsson. Direct free kick taken by Scott Carson.
- 53mins
A cross is delivered by Nicky Shorey, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
- 51mins
Long range shot by Graham Dorrans goes wide right of the net.
- 49mins
Chris Brunt takes a shot. Christian Poulsen gets a block in.
- 48mins
Steven Gerrard takes a shot and went wide of the right hand upright.
- 48mins
Long distance shot from James Morrison misses to the left of the goal.
- 47mins
Chris Brunt fouled by Leiva Lucas, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Scott Carson.
The referee gets the second half underway.
The whistle is blown to end the first half.
- 45mins
James Morrison has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the target.
- 45mins
Foul by Fernando Torres on Gonzalo Jara, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Gabriel Tamas.
- 43mins
Glen Johnson challenges Youssouf Mulumbu unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nicky Shorey takes the direct free kick.
- 37mins
James Morrison produces a cross, Jamie Carragher makes a clearance.
- 37mins
Inswinging corner taken by Graham Dorrans from the left by-line played to the near post, Steven Gerrard makes a clearance.
- 36mins
The official flags Fernando Torres offside. Indirect free kick taken by Gabriel Tamas.
- 35mins
Inswinging corner taken by Milan Jovanovic from the right by-line, clearance by Youssouf Mulumbu.
- 34mins
Corner taken by Steven Gerrard played to the near post, Youssouf Mulumbu manages to make a clearance.
- 34mins
Unfair challenge on Milan Jovanovic by Gonzalo Jara results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steven Gerrard.
- 34mins
Glen Johnson delivers the ball, Jonas Olsson manages to make a clearance.
- 32mins
Steven Gerrard crosses the ball, Jonas Olsson manages to make a clearance.
- 31mins
The ball is delivered by Glen Johnson, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
- 30mins
Unfair challenge on Graham Dorrans by Leiva Lucas results in a free kick. Youssouf Mulumbu restarts play with the free kick.
- 30mins
The ball is swung over by Chris Brunt.
- 29mins
The ball is swung over by Chris Brunt, clearance by Martin Skrtel.
- 28mins
The ball is delivered by Gonzalo Jara, clearance made by Martin Skrtel.
- 28mins
Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Chris Brunt played to the near post, Steven Gerrard makes a clearance.
- 25mins
Corner taken by Chris Brunt played to the near post, Steven Gerrard manages to make a clearance.
- 22mins
Marc-Antoine Fortune takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a save.
- 22mins
Corner taken right-footed by Graham Dorrans to the near post, clearance by Steven Gerrard.
- 18mins
Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard played to the near post, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
- 16mins
Gabriel Tamas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres. Free kick crossed by Steven Gerrard, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
- 15mins
Marc-Antoine Fortune has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
- 14mins
Fernando Torres has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the target.
- 13mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Graham Dorrans by Christian Poulsen. Youssouf Mulumbu takes the direct free kick.
- 12mins
The referee blows for offside against Peter Odemwingie. Indirect free kick taken by Jose Reina.
- 7mins
Steven Gerrard takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Graham Dorrans.
- 7mins
Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Gabriel Tamas.
- 7mins
Glen Johnson crosses the ball, Gabriel Tamas makes a clearance.
- 3mins
James Morrison produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target.
- 2mins
Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Scott Carson.
- 1mins
The referee penalises Graham Dorrans for handball. Free kick taken by Leiva Lucas.
Unfair challenge on Steven Gerrard by Graham Dorrans results in a free kick. Glen Johnson takes the free kick.
The referee gets the game started.
Match Preview
Key duo set to return Striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard are set to return for Liverpool's Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom at Anfield.
Torres was rested for the long trip to Turkey in midweek while Gerrard had a back problem which he should recover from in time. Daniel Agger (concussion) and Milan Jovanovic (rested) are also in line for recalls after missing the game against Trabzonspor but Maxi Rodriguez (illness) remains a doubt. Midfielder Joe Cole serves the second game of a three-match ban.
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists it is too early to write off his side just two matches into the Barclays Premier League season. Reaction to Monday's defeat to Manchester City was that it was a pertinent symbol of the changing of the established order in the top flight, that Roberto Mancini's side had overtaken the Reds in the top-four pecking order. Hodgson has, understandably, tried to take a more measured view of things.
They were within a couple of minutes of beating Arsenal at Anfield in their first match, having played for half the game with 10 men after Joe Cole's sending-off, and their preparations for the City match were severely disrupted by Barcelona-bound Javier Mascherano making himself unavailable.
The first half of their Europa League play-off second leg against Trabzonspor in Turkey did little to assuage doubts about whether the players were indeed capable of performing under pressure. They did, however, show character after the break and two late goals put them into the group stage, so they head into the clash with West Brom with renewed confidence. "I can't get my head around why, on the second game of the season, it should be seen as such a watershed," said Hodgson. "We lost a football game. But we showed great character, to keep going and keep playing the right football against Trabzonspor and I was really pleased we achieved victory against a team which are notoriously difficult to beat.
"It is always important to win games and it was good preparation for Sunday. "It wouldn't have been nice going into the game with two defeats behind us so getting a victory was important for the psychological feeling coming up to a West Brom game." West Brom will be without defender Marek Cech for at least three weeks, which in the first instance rules him out of the clash.
The Slovakia international fractured his metatarsal in Tuesday night's Carling Cup win over Leyton Orient. Midfielder Jerome Thomas (foot), defender Joe Mattock (foot) and striker Ishmael Miller (thigh) will also miss the Baggies' trip to Anfield. Scott Carson has predicted West Brom will be in for a tough time when they face Liverpool at Anfield but does not expect a repeat of their opening-day hammering at Chelsea.
The Baggies were battered 6-0 on their Barclays Premier League return at Stamford Bridge but former Liverpool goalkeeper Carson does not expect a repeat. Albion bounced back from the Chelsea hammering with a 1-0 home win over Sunderland and Carson believes the result was down to the coaching staff, who adopted a light-hearted approach on the training ground.
He said: "I think the manager and the coaching staff just needed to get that out of our system and try and put a smile back on our faces. "I think that's what they did in the sessions, just tried to make them a bit of fun. "Obviously the way we played against Sunderland was really positive. I think maybe last season or the season before we might have crumbled and conceded but we held out and got our rewards. "Anfield's going to be as tough as Stamford Bridge but I think if we play the way we did against Sunderland and defend like we did against them we'll give ourselves a chance."
Liverpool
West Brom
- Jose Reina
- Glen Johnson
- Martin Skrtel
- Jamie Carragher
- Daniel Agger
- Dirk Kuyt
- Christian Poulsen
- Leiva Lucas
- Milan Jovanovic
- Steven Gerrard
- Fernando Torres
- SUBS
- Brad Jones
- Daniel Pacheco
- Sotirios Kyrgiakos
- Rodriguez Maxi
- Ryan Babel
- Jay Spearing
- Martin Kelly
Home
Away
- Scott Carson
- Jonas Olsson
- Gabriel Tamas
- Gonzalo Jara
- Nicky Shorey
- James Morrison
- Youssouf Mulumbu
- Graham Dorrans
- Chris Brunt
- Peter Odemwingie
- Marc-Antoine Fortune
- SUBS
- Boaz Myhill
- Somen Tchoyi
- Ibanez Pablo
- Giles Barnes
- Steven Reid
- Chris Wood
- Simon Cox
Match Report
Improving Torres sinks Albion Striker Fernando Torres may still be some way short of his lethal best but he underlined his quality - and importance to Liverpool - with a brilliant strike to defeat 10-man West Brom at Anfield.
Two knee operations at the back-end of last season and a late return from the World Cup have impacted on the 26-year-old's fitness and match sharpness. But a clinical strike midway through the second half - his first Barclays Premier League goal since March 28 and 50th at Anfield in all competitions - proved too good for promoted West Brom.
Torres was rested for the midweek Europa League play-off trip to Trabzonspor and the decision was justified with victory in Turkey without him and, more importantly, rewarded with the winning goal against the Baggies. He had not scored in 10 matches for club and country coming into this game as he has been working his way back to fitness but even a 75% fit Torres provides a threat for opposition defences.
Torres had three half-chances in the opening 45 minutes but none could have been classed a genuine opportunity. His first in only the third minute was curled straight into the arms of former Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson before a close-range strike was then crowded out at the near post. His third sight of goal, in the 15th minute, was an indicator of where the Spain international is in terms of sharpness. Martin Skrtel's header sent Milan Jovanovic charging down the centre of the pitch but Torres was half-a-yard short in reaching the pass as a sliding Gabriel Tamas cleared the danger.
Liverpool dominated possession but there were a couple of occasions when West Brom threatened to make them pay. Marc-Antoine Fortune, making his first appearance for the club since he returned from Celtic, fired in a low shot which goalkeeper Jose Reina collected at the second attempt while late in the half James Morrison sliced a long-range shot just wide. New signing Raul Meireles, given the number four shirt vacated by Alberto Aquilani's loan to Juventus, would have been hugely underwhelmed by what he saw.
It is doubtful, though, whether the display would have been enough to have had left-back Paul Konchesky, also watching from the stands, reconsidering whether to complete on his move from Fulham in the next 24 hours. Four minutes after the interval Steven Gerrard controlled the ball on his chest before attempting a speculative 40-yard volley which dropped harmlessly wide of Carson's left-hand post.
West Brom midfielder was off-target with two long-range efforts while the closest Liverpool came to scoring was when Martin Skrtel hooked a half-cleared Torres cross narrowly wide of the right-hand post. That was until Baggies defender Jonas Olsson almost gifted them a goal when he attempted to roll Tamas' pass back to Carson but sent it past the far upright.
The goal eventually came in the 65th minute when Torres combined with Dirk Kuyt down the left and when his team-mate returned the ball to the edge of the penalty area the Spain striker expertly shifted his position to volley into the turf and past Carson. Seven minutes later he almost had his second when he side-footed Gerrard's far-post cross straight at Carson.
Eight minutes from time he was denied again when Kuyt and Gerrard worked the ball across the top of the penalty area only for the Spaniard's strike to be charged down by Gonzalo Jara with the aid of an arm - unseen by referee Lee Probert. However, the referee did spot Morrison's lunge at Torres and responded with a straight red card. Torres departed after another 89-minute work-out safe in the knowledge he is gradually edging closer to his prolific best and Liverpool had secured their 2000th league victory.