BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Baros ends Liverpool frustration

Liverpool 2-0 West Brom

Milan Baros saved Liverpool's blushes with the vital opening goal against a West Brom side who were down to 10-men for most of the game.

Baros, making his first Anfield start, scored with a header early in the second half to end Liverpool's frustration against their dogged opponents.

West Brom had earlier seen keeper Russell Hoult red-carded after 34 minutes for a professional foul on Michael Owen, who missed the resultant spot-kick.

West Brom keeper Russell Hoult is sent-off after bringing down Michael Owen
Hoult sees red after bringing down Owen

The Baggies battled resolutely and were unfortunate not too earn a penalty of their own and suffered a further blow when John Arne Riise added a late goal for an unconvincing Liverpool.

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West Brom had set their stall out to defend and played their usual three centre-back system with their blue-and-white striped shirts back in numbers.

It was up to Liverpool to find a way through the Baggies' defence and they almost did so after four minutes.

Bruno Cheyrou found Danny Murphy but his shot was blocked and the Frenchman's follow-up effort was saved by keeper Hoult.

We didn't panic as the goals didn't come as quickly as we would have like and deserved to win

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

Soon after, Owen was played through by Dietmar Hamann but delayed too long and saw his shot blocked.

A Steven Gerrard long range effort was well-saved by Hoult after 12 minutes before the West Brom stopper came to his side's rescue again with a superb low save from a Murphy header.

But Hoult went from hero to villain for the Midlands side after 34 minutes when he was red-carded for a professional foul in a one-on-one with Owen.

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Hyypia was fortunate not to concede a penalty

Visitors boss Gary Megson brought on substitute keeper Joe Murphy for striker Scott Dobie and he instantly endeared himself to West Brom fans by saving a tame Owen spot-kick.

West Brom will feel they then deserved a penalty at the other end.

Striker Jason Roberts out-paced Sami Hyypia in the Liverpool area before going down under a challenge from the defender.

But no penalty was given much to the annoyance of the West Brom camp.

It was a rugby tackle, and a high one at that - he'd have got sent off in rugby league

Gary Megson on Russell Hoult's sending off

Owen's lack of confidence and absence of clinical finishing in front of goal was once more evident when he curled a shot wide as the half neared an end.

Liverpool had plenty of the ball without possessing the creativity to break down the massed defence of their opponents - even when the Baggies were down to 10 men.

Baros, the two-goal hero from the win at Bolton, and Owen had chances early in the second half but could not convert.

But the goal Liverpool craved finally came after 55 minutes when Baros peeled away from his marker to meet a Gerrard cross and send a header into the goal.

Liverpool have been guilty of letting leads slip in recent league games and pressed for a second to give them a sense of ease.

It finally came with Riise's shot just before the final whistle.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Cheyrou (Diao 88), Owen, Baros (Heskey 75).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Diouf, Traore.

Booked: Murphy, Heskey.

West Brom: Hoult, Sigurdsson, Moore, Gilchrist, Balis (Marshall 82), Johnson, Gregan, Koumas (Dichio 45), Clement, Roberts, Dobie (Murphy 35).
Subs Not Used: Wallwork, James Chambers.

Sent Off: Hoult (35).

Booked: Gregan, Dichio.

Attendance: 43,830

Referee: D Elleray (Middlesex).