Liverpool (22-10-2016)

Liverpool 2 - 1 West Bromwich Albion (Premier League), Saturday 22 October 2016

Prawn salad £2-60
Water £1-50
Toilet at Piccadilly 30p
Tea at the Walker £2
Bus to Anfield £2
Bus to Sheffield centre £1-50
Taxi (£10/2) £5
Train £15-35
Ticket £48
Total £78-25

Games in October can be brilliant, resting as they do on ‘the turn’ – the fulcrum between Autumn and Winter. About a year ago (Oct 2015), we were in Liverpool for Klopp’s first league game as manager, which feels like an age away now. West Brom’s game at Anfield would be the last one I would go to there for some time, so this felt like the end of one of 2016/17’s chapters. The Birmingham side have seemingly taken Stoke’s place as Liverpool’s bogey team, having picked up plenty of points home and away against the Reds in recent years. 

As with the Hull and Leicester games, Liverpool were dominant and raced into a 2-goal lead after first half goals from Mane and Coutinho. A highlight of the season so far has been the linkages between Firmino, Mane and Coutinho, who defences must dread playing against. In the second half, Liverpool could not turn their dominance into any further goals, and had a slight wobble at the end when McAuley grabbed a consolation in the 81st minute. It is in situations like this when concentration and confidence at the back is crucial. There were a nervy few minutes as West Brom made Liverpool panic somewhat, but the Reds had enough to get over the line and grab 3 points. It is winning games like this that will turn Liverpool from a team with the odd cup run to one challenging for titles and Champions League places. So hopefully this is a good sign.

Our journey back was beset with disaster. First an announcement blared out over Anfield saying all trains from Lime Street had been cancelled. Then I foolishly decided to walk back to the centre, where we only just made our train. Predictably it was packed, and it was held up for about half an hour (somewhere near Warrington), meaning we missed our onward connection in Manchester. We ended up catching a later train from Manchester, and must have got in at about midnight!