Evan Ferguson’s double was in vain as Liverpool came from behind to seal all three points in a 3-2 win against Albion on Sunday.
The visitors had the perfect start when Ferguson gambled on Remi Savage’s back pass not coming off, with the striker’s efforts paying off. The weak pass was pounced on by Ferguson who ran through on goal and powered an effort over the diving Liam Hughes after just eight minutes.
Luis Longstaff went close to equalising 13 minutes later – despite getting the ball caught under his feet ten yards out his improvised strike nearly beat Carl Rushworth, but the keeper’s leg put it behind for a corner.
Tom Clayton went even closer after 30 minutes when his stunning drive from 30 yards clipped the outside of the post with Rushworth beaten.
Andrew Crofts and Shannon Ruth’s decision to play three at the back brought them a lot of joy down the flanks throughout the opening 45 minutes and they should have had more to show for their wing play just before the break.
Ferguson held the ball up superbly in midfield before releasing Ayo Tanimowo down the right. The defender looked for the one-two with a good ball into the box, but it was dealt with by the Liverpool back line.
Albion changed to a back four for the second half, but the tactical tweak appeared to have gone against them as the Reds had their equaliser just three minutes after the restart with Joe Hardy’s low effort taking a deflection and rolling into the bottom left corner.
The Liverpool striker was only inches away from putting his team in the lead before Ed Turns’ header hit the crossbar.
It was Ferguson who would fire in the next goal. Tanimowo’s low cross was completely missed by Romaric Yapi but not Ferguson, and the striker calmly found the bottom left corner from 12 yards for his second of the afternoon.
The Reds responded again as Tony Gallacher converted from close range to make it 2-2 before the hosts took the lead.
Owen Beck expertly cut in from the left and hammered an effort into the top left corner from the edge of the box.
The result leaves Albion in ninth spot in the division, and they are back in action on Friday at home to Southampton.
Line-up: Rushworth, Dendoncker, Wakely, Turns, Tanimowo, Leonard, Spong, Furlong, Jenks, Cashman, Ferguson (Vukoje 73).
Unused subs: Desbois, Gwargis, Ella.