Video Liverpool 0 - 1 West Bromwich Albion

Victories at Anfield did not come often enough for Roy Hodgson to convince Liverpool's support and owners that he was the man to lead their recovery. He was sacked after six months with a better home record than Kenny Dalglish has managed in nine, however, and this was a return to savour after Peter Odemwingie's goal brought West Bromwich Albion their first win at Anfield in exactly 45 years.

Hodgson won six league games at Anfield during his ill-fated spell as Liverpool manager. His successor has five and a miserable return of just 24 points from a possible 51 at home this season. Thank goodness, Dalglish would never say but must surely think, for Liverpool's transformation whenever they are competing for a cup.

Liverpool controlled proceedings and created a host of inviting opportunities but the only goalkeeper seriously tested before half-time was José Reina. Twice the Spaniard came to the home side's rescue on his return to the side from a three-match and ultimately painless suspension.

The sense of bewilderment that has filled Anfield too often this season returned with Liverpool's first attack when Andy Carroll dispossessed Youssouf Mulumbu and released Luis Suárez against the visiting defence. Suárez picked out the unmarked Dirk Kuyt on the right and his low shot beat Ben Foster but evaded the far post too. Suárez repeated that trick and also cut inside the Albion area, again having been sent clear by the impressive Carroll, only for his goalbound shot to strike Liam Ridgewell and cannon clear. The Uruguay international was then denied by Foster, watched aghast as Maxi Rodríguez blazed the rebound over and glanced José Enrique's inviting cross inches over.

Rodríguez was involved in the game's only controversy midway through the first half when going down in the area under a touch from Billy Jones. There was slight contact as the Argentinean raced to the line but not enough for the theatrical tumble that followed. Referee Neil Swarbrick had clear sight of the incident, considered long and hard and awarded a goal-kick but no yellow card to the Liverpool midfielder.

After all the pressure it was West Bromwich who came closest to opening the scoring. Reina made a superb one-handed save to thwart Chris Brunt's volley at close range and was well positioned when Shane Long met Graham Dorrans' corner.

The second half followed an identical pattern and, having survived several goalline clearances, Albion capitalised on a poor mistake from Glen Johnson when he was harried along the touchline and into a careless pass inside by Mulumbu. The ball ricocheted into the path of Odemwingie who sprinted clear and beat Reina with a convincing finish.


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