Goals by Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson have given Liverpool a 2-1 win at home to West Bromwich Albion in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Anfield.
© Getty Images
The home side made the brighter start, with Steven Gerrard's free kick from the right flank in the seventh minute falling to Martin Skrtel, but the Slovakian's connection was poor and Ben Foster was able to save with ease.
On the quarter-hour mark, Rickie Lambert had a chance to open his account for his new club, but he failed to make the most of Lallana's incisive pass.
Just four minutes later, the former Southampton forward missed another opportunity in front of goal after being set up by Skrtel, the 32-year-old's finish from inside the penalty area lacking in power.
The opening goal duly came right on the stroke of half time, as Lallana gave the ball to Henderson, who subsequently sent a pass back into the playmaker's path.
With just Foster to beat, the former Saints man coolly slotted the ball across the West Brom keeper and into the far corner of the net for his first goal in a Reds shirt.
© Getty Images
The Baggies equalised just before the hour after Dejan Lovren was judged to have brought down Saido Berahino inside the area, with the referee giving the visitors a penalty.
The 21-year-old striker opted to take the kick himself, and made no mistake from the spot as he sent Simon Mignolet the wrong way to put his side level.
Nevertheless, Liverpool were back ahead within five minutes when Raheem Sterling's pass found Henderson, who duly struck the ball through a host of bodies and into the bottom corner of the net.
Midway through the second half, Berahino had a great chance to level proceedings once again, but Chris Brunt's cross was headed straight into the ground and into Mignolet's arms.
The latter stages of the game saw little action as the Baggies were unable to breach the hosts' defence once again, with the final whistle confirming all three points for the Reds.
Giuseppe Labellarte
