West Brom 1-1 Liverpool: Reds reach 60 points in last game of League campaign

Premier League
Sunday 15 May 2016 - 3:00 pm
The Hawthorns
West Brom1
1Liverpool
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' Smith
⚽️ Rondon14'
23'Ibe ⚽️
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The reds rang the changes ahead of the final Premier League game of the season and reached 60 Premier League points.

However it wasn't enough to guarantee European football next season.

A much changed Liverpool side arrived at West Brom with an outside chance of making 6th place in the Premier League.

Adam Bogdan received a rare outing in goal - with Danny Ward currently injured and Mignolet on the bench.

Brad Smith returned to left back - Lucas Leiva was handed the captaincy as he partnered Skrtel at centre-back.

Started: Bogdan, Flanagan, Skrtel, Leiva (c), Smith, Stewart, Brannagan, Allen, Ojo, Ibe, Benteke

Bench: Mignolet, Ings, Canos, Randall, Ilori, Chirivella, Henderson

Before kick off West Brom's players produced a tribute to the 96 fans who died at Hillsborough following last month's court-case.

In a nice touch by the home club they left 96 red seats empty - each featuring the name of one of those who died due to the disaster.

Neither side was dominant in the early stages but after Joe Allen gave away the ball cheaply in the 13th minute, Rondon opened the scoring for the home side.

He drilled a low angled shot underneath the reds goalkeeper.

The reds rallied, and within 10 minutes they were back level.  A strong solo run from the corner of the box saw Jordon Ibe move centrally before unleashing a shot with his left foot.

It was his first league goal for the reds and as good a goal as it was the bigger question it leaves is why haven't we seen more of it this season from him?

The reds had two free kicks on the stroke of half time - the second taken by Benteke at the edge of the box but the Belgian couldn't convert the chance.

The second half was less bright.

Rondon should have added to his goal tally.  He reached a cross with his head but it went across the face of the goal.  Moments later he found himself in acres of space just 8 yards outside the reds goal.  He miscued his first attempt but had time to reset and have another go.  Only a deflection off Martin Skrtel kept the reds in the game.

Adam Bogdan dealt well with two dangerous corners - a powerful punch inside his 6 yard box and then a clean catch a few minutes later.

Mid-way through the half the reds brought both Danny Ings and Jordan Henderson on to the pitch - their returns from injury.

Danny Ings has been out of action since the beginning of October - his cruciate injury coming during Jurgen Klopp's first days in charge at the club.  He has missed the first 50 games of the new manager's reign.

With ten minutes left Klopp handed a Liverpool debut to 19 year old Sergi Canos.  The midfielder returned from a successful loan spell at Brentford last week.

The reds end the league in 8th position - a disappointing Premier League campaign.

Liverpool can however now turn their full focus on to Wednesday night's Europa League final which could have significant ramifications for the club's development - not to mention whether the reds will be in Europe next season.

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