Senegal’s Sadio Mané, who also picked up an injury during this period, is fit and available for the clash – he has been training with the squad this week after returning to Kirkby from international duty.

However, the return to club football comes too soon for a quartet of Liverpool players working their way back into contention.

Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Naby Keita and James Milner will all be unavailable for the match this weekend.

“Robbo was lucky, we can probably say. It was a little bit DOMS, the intensity of all the games he played probably, rather than anything else,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com on Thursday.

“He was smart enough to [make] the right decision, he went off early, which he usually is not doing. But in this case it was absolutely right, and so there’s a good chance that he can be involved at the weekend.

“Hendo, a little bit more [injured] than Robbo but a chance for the weekend. So we are working on that. It’s not a serious injury but in this short period of time we have to see if he is ready for Saturday. But after that, 100 per cent, and possibly for Arsenal as well.

“Sadio is fine – painful but fine. Everybody who had a rib bruise knows it’s an annoying thing. But Sad trained here with us now in all sessions.

“We took him out a little bit earlier here and there when we knew now it will be full contact, stuff like this, just to give it a bit more time to settle. But he looks fine.”

Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday, November 20 at 5:30 pm.

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Liverpool took on West Bromwich Albion this evening as they looked to increase their advantage atop of the Premier League. Local rivals Everton came within two points of the reigning champions after their result last night meaning Liverpool needed to win today to ease mounting pressure.

In a shock result, though, West Brom managed to earn a draw after initially going behind. Sadio Mane opened the scoring for Liverpool before Semi Ajayi dramatically equalized in the second half. Here’s how it played out.

FIRST HALF

Liverpool predictably controlled much of the opening period. West Brom were pinned back into their own half and rarely ventured into the final third. West Brom attempted to contain Liverpool and they managed to do so for the opening 10 minutes as they starved Liverpool of chances despite their domination.

Liverpool’s quality eventually showed though. Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the 12^th minute. Joel Matip ventured high into West Brom’s half before receiving the ball and lifting a pass into the area. Sadio Mane controlled expertly with his chest to evade Semi Ajayi before applying the finish.

Liverpool continued to control the game after the goal. West Brom stuck with their game plan and defended deep in a desperate attempt at damage limitation. All 11 West Brom players could be found in their own third for large periods of the half. Even when West Brom regained possession they lost the ball almost immediately with swarms of Liverpool players pressing at will.

The first half ended 1-0 to Liverpool as while they dominated possession, they regularly failed to break down the West Brom backline. West Brom were still in the game going into the second half but needed to increase their attacking output if they had any hope of getting a result.

SECOND HALF

West Brom started the second half playing far more positive football than what was witnessed in the first. They managed to retain possession for longer periods and at times even looked capable of scoring.

West Brom’s improvement clearly agitated Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The German received a yellow card for his protests following a decision against his team in the 60^th minute.

They even almost equalized in the 72^nd minute. Karlan Grant was played through by a Romaine Sawyers long ball and was one-on-one with the keeper but Alisson produced a brilliant save to deny the Baggies forward.

The mounting West Brom pressure eventually paid off in the 82^nd minute. A ball was crossed into the box and Semi Ajayi rose highest in the box and headed into the net via the post. West Brom deserved a goal for their second half performance.

Liverpool had a great chance to equalize through Roberto Firmino in the 89^th minute as he headed towards goal but he was kept out by an extraordinary Sam Johnstone save.

The match finished 1-1 after a spirited second half West Brom performance. Tonight’s result signalled Sam Allardyce’s first point in charge of his new club.

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Crystal Palace have surpassed expectations by some margin so far this season. This afternoon, though, they faced their biggest challenge yet as they took on in-form Liverpool.

Liverpool looked to stretch their lead at the top of table after their impressive victory against fellow title chasers Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. They did just that as they ran out 7-0 winners. They’re now 6 points ahead at their nearest competitors – albeit Spurs have a game in hand.

Takumi Minamino was given an unfamiliar role as a starter, taking the place of Mohamed Salah. His place on the bench likely comes as a decision to rest the Egyptian, however reports have also emerged that Salah may be unsettled at the club. He revealed in an interview to AS that his future may not lie at Liverpool. He also expressed he was disappointed not to be made captain against Midtjylland, leading to questions about his happiness at the club.

Mohamed Salah is flexing for Real Madrid and Barcelona

Is his time at Liverpool coming to an end? pic.twitter.com/5nUqIi5BBQ

— Goal (@goal) DECEMBER 19, 2020

FIRST HALF

Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for his replacement to open the scoring. Takumi Minamino hit the net in just the 2^nd minute to score his first Premier League goal for the club. The Japanese international set himself up with a good touch before smashing the ball into the bottom corner, leaving no chance for Vicente Guaita.

After that, Crystal Palace had a number of decent opportunities to draw level but they failed to take their chances. Their wastefulness would eventually cost them as Liverpool extended their lead in the 35^th minute through Sadio Mane. He made it 2-0 as he produced an excellent touch at the edge of the area before rifling the ball into the back of the net.

They scored their 3^rd goal just before the break, this time Roberto Firmino was the scorer. Andy Robertson whipped an accurate early cross into the feet of the Brazilian before he calmly slotted past the Palace keeper.

The first half ended 3-0 to the frustration of Crystal Palace who may have felt the scoreline – at that stage – flattered Liverpool.

After a fairly even first half – despite the scoreline – Liverpool began to dominate in the second. They controlled much of the possession and shut out Palace as they had failed to do on occasion earlier in the match.

SECOND HALF

Captain Jordan Henderson made it 4-0 with a lovely goal from the edge of the area. He accurately placed the ball into the left-hand corner to effectively end Crystal Palace’s hope of a comeback.

Roberto Firmino got his 2^nd in the 68^th minute after a lovely Liverpool counter attack. Firmino was played in before he took the ball past James McArthur and lobbed over Guaita into the net. Another brilliant goal by Liverpool.

Firmino didn’t get the chance to complete his hat trick as he was subbed off in the 75^th minute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He should, however, be very pleased with his performance on the day.

The Brazilian has been criticized by some in recent months for his performances. Today, though, he proved he’s just as valuable to this Liverpool team as he’s ever been.

Mohamed Salah was brought on for Sadio Mane around the 60-minute mark and he added to the scoreline in the 80^th minute. The goal came from a set piece this time. Trent Alexander-Arnold swung in a deep corner which was met by the head of Joel Matip before Mohamed Salah reacted quickest to guide the ball into the net.

Mohammed Salah got his brace just minutes after. This time it was an unbelievable strike from just outside the area. He hammered the ball into the top corner from 20 yards to complete the rout.

Thankfully for Palace, the scoring stopped after that. The final score was 7-0 to Liverpool in a disappointing afternoon for Crystal Palace. Jurgen Klopp can have no complaints after today’s performance.

WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) DECEMBER 19, 2020

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