Good afternoon! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for today's late kickoff as Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion at Anfield! Both sides are protecting unbeaten runs heading into this match, although it is the hosts who will start as heavy favourites as they look to keep pace with the other title challengers at the top of the table. Before we get into all that, though, let's take a look at the two teams...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Can, Lallana; Coutinho, Mane, Firmino

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Moreno, Klavan, Lucas, Wijnaldum, Sturridge, Origi

WEST BROM STARTING XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Nyom; Phillips, Yacob, Fletcher, McClean; Chadli; Rondon

WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Galloway, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Leko, Robson-Kanu

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, perhaps the most notable exclusion for Liverpool today is that of Daniel Sturridge, who drops back to the bench having started against Manchester United on Monday. The striker has scored in both of his previous Premier League games for Liverpool against West Brom, but he has been in and out of the team so far this term and the form of some of Liverpool's other attacking players means that he drops out again today.

Once again it is Roberto Firmino who is expected to start in the central striking role in Sturridge's absence, with the Brazilian being flanked by compatriot Coutinho and Mane. Those three have had enjoyed a prolific start to the season and are each individually capable of being a match-winner, in addition to working well together. West Brom have a notoriously stubborn defence, but they will do well to keep all three quiet throughout this one.

Adam Lallana returns to the midfield trio for this match having been forced to start the Manchester United game on the bench due to a groin injury. His inclusion allows Coutinho to push further up the field, while Henderson and Can retain their places. Wijnaldum was included in that midfield three until he picked up a hip injury on international duty, but he is back on the bench today and could make his return to action as a sub.

There are no changes at the back for Liverpool today, with Lallana in for Sturridge being the only change in personnel made by Jurgen Klopp for this one. That means that Matip and Lovren once again partner each other at the heart of the back four, while Clyne and Milner operate on the flanks. There are also seemingly weekly questions on who will start in goal for the Reds, but Klopp has once again kept faith with Karius today.

As for the Baggies, they are forced into one change today as Jonny Evans misses out through suspension having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season already. As expected Jonas Olsson comes into the team in his place, partnering McAuley at the heart of the defence. Olsson actually scored on his ground in the corresponding fixture last season, as did Dawson, who continues at right-back. Summer arrival Allan Nyom makes up the back four, while behind them Ben Foster will be hoping for a similarly good game to the one he enjoyed against Tottenham last time out.

There are no changes in midfield from Tony Pulis today, with Matty Phillips and James McClean providing the width on the flanks. It is likely that they will spend the majority of the match in their own half, with Liverpool expected to control possession for long spells, but both wide men are players who aren't shy of doing the hard yards for the team. The same applies for Yacob and Fletcher in the middle of the park, with those two being tasked with keeping Liverpool's fluid attacking lineup quiet.

Perhaps the main threat for West Brom today will come from Nacer Chadli, who has hit the ground running since his summer move from Tottenham. The attacking midfielder scored against his former club last weekend, taking his tally for the season to four in his last five league games. Indeed, no midfielder has been involved in more Premier League goals than Chadli this season, boasting four goals and two assists so far.

Leading the line for West Brom today will be Salomon Rondon, who has shown flashes this season to suggest that he is getting more settled in England during his second campaign. The striker was on the scoresheet the last time West Brom faced Liverpool back in May and will be hopeful of adding to the three league goals already to his name this term.

There are threats in this West Brom team, then, but there is no doubt that Liverpool will go into this match expecting to win. The Baggies never make it easy for any team, and Jurgen Klopp has spoken in the build-up to this one about how happy he was with a draw at Anfield in the corresponding fixture last term, but if the Reds have genuine title ambitions then these are the types of games that they need to be winning. Spurs dropped points against Bournemouth earlier today and Arsenal are currently drawing with Middlesbrough, so there is a real chance for Liverpool to gain ground with a win today.

They have certainly shown signs that they will be more capable of pushing for at least the top four this season, but it is games like this one today that often prove to be decisive in their seasons. Liverpool have had a promising start to the campaign, but their points tally is made even more impressive by the fact that they have already faced Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur in their first eight outings - three of which have come away from home.

The Reds picked up 11 points from a possible 15 against those teams, most of whom are expected to also challenge for a top four spot, but it is the wins over Swansea and Hull that have arguably been the more telling. Hull were comfortably swept aside here at Anfield, while against Swansea they ground out a victory in the manner which they have rarely done in recent seasons. A defeat to Burnley in the second week of the season suggests that not all of the inconsistencies have been washed out of Liverpool's game, but they do seem to be heading in the right direction.

Indeed, it is now eight matches in all competitions without defeat since that Burnley loss, which is their only reverse in 10 outings this season. They had won five on the bounce before the goalless draw with Manchester United on Monday, which is a result that the Reds would not have been particularly pleased with at Anfield. They were frustrated for long spells but never really came close to showing the sort of form that had seen them score nine times in their opening two home games of the season, so Klopp will be keen to get back to goalscoring ways in front of the home fans today.

Liverpool have only failed to score in two of their 18 home league games under Jurgen Klopp, and both of those have come against Manchester United. The last time they failed to find the back of the net in successive league games was in August 2015 against Arsenal and then West Ham United, and even with West Brom's reputation as a defensive team, it would be a surprise if Liverpool were shut out again. Only Man City and Arsenal had scored more goals after eight games, and with the exception of the United draw Liverpool have been particularly free-scoring at home this season.

It is now 16 home matches in all competitions since Liverpool last tasted defeat at Anfield, with that coming all the way back in January when they lost 1-0 to Stoke City in the semi-final of the League Cup - a tie they still went on to win on penalties. They have won 10 of those 16 matches and have not gone successive matches without a win since February. Solely looking at the Premier League their unbeaten run also stretches back to January - an 11-game streak. Klopp has only lost two of his 18 home league games as Liverpool manager, although he will want to turn some of the draws into wins having shared the points in half of the remaining 16.

A victory or even a draw this afternoon would see them go seven league games unbeaten for the first time since a 13-match streak in March 2015, and they are unlikely to panic even if they fall behind having rescued a joint league-high six points from losing positions already this term. News will have no doubt filtered through that Arsenal have been held at home by Middlesbrough, so Liverpool also go into this match knowing that victory by two goals would send them top of the table.

West Brom are never an easy team to score goals against, though - particularly with Tony Pulis in charge. The Baggies have only conceded an average of one goal per game this term which, at the start of the day, was the fourth best record in the division behind only Tottenham, Everton and Southampton. Uncharacteristically, they haven't kept a clean sheet in their last five outings, but when they do concede, they rarely concede a lot.

The vast majority of their goals conceded come in the second half too, with the only exception this season coming in their match against Everton - and even that solitary first-half goal came in stoppage time. Liverpool like to make fast starts to games and get on the front foot early, but West Brom's tactic will no doubt be to frustrate the hosts in the first half and perhaps look to nick something on the break after the interval.

Even with their exemplary defensive record, things haven't been too bad at the other end of the field for West Brom either. They are by no means among the league's top scorers, but they entered the day with the best attacking record in the bottom nine and the only team outside the top nine with a positive goal difference. Having said that, they have also scored more than one goal in just one of their last 18 Premier League outings - a 4-2 victory over West Ham in September.

The Baggies come into today's match on a four-game unbeaten run, although that doesn't really tell the full story as the last three of those have all been 1-1 draws. Still, a four-game unbeaten streak certainly sounds better than just one win in their last eight in all competitions. They are a very tough team to beat, as a league-high four draws already this season is testament to, but they don't often pick up victories either.

Indeed, in the Premier League West Brom have won just two of their 17 outings since beating Manchester United at The Hawthorns on March 6, drawing eight and losing seven in that time. If they can hold Liverpool to a draw today then it would be the first time that they have gone five without defeat since May 2015, but there won't be too many associated with the Baggies who will be predicting an away win here.

Away from home things look even bleaker for West Brom, who has won just two of their 18 league outings on the road over the last 12 months. Again, a draw has been the most common result in that timer, with only one defeat from their last six away games, but a share of the spoils is often the best that the Baggies can hope for. Having said that, they have taken five points from four away league games this season, while only Arsenal have conceded fewer than West Brom's three on the road.

It is also worth noting that Tony Pulis has a very respectable record against Liverpool, going unbeaten in his last eight Premier League meetings with the Reds. Pulis sides are always hard to break down and beat, but he has something of a hoodoo over Liverpool with two wins and six draws from those eight games. Each of the last four have resulted in draws, and you'd have to think that he would be happy with a fifth in a row here.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! This should be a fascinating contest between Liverpool's free-flowing attack and West Brom's stubborn defence, but even with Pulis's record against the Reds I can see the hosts coming out on top. West Brom are very rarely heavily beaten, though, so I'll go for a 2-0 home win.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with the Baggies, but no fewer than four of those have been draws, including each of the last three. The last time West Brom beat Liverpool was at Anfield in February 2013, when McAuley and Lukaku were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory.

That 2-0 win is one of only two victories West Brom have enjoyed at Anfield in their last 27 visits, stretching all the way back to 1968. It has not been a happy hunting ground for them historically, with 19 defeats in that time too, although they have improved that record of late. Indeed, in their last five visits they have a very respectable record of two wins, one draw and two defeats.

Both matches last season ended all square, but it was the corresponding fixture here at Anfield in December that was the most memorable. Liverpool looked on course for defeat after Olsson had scored with less than 20 minutes remaining, putting the Baggies 2-1 up following earlier goals from Henderson and Dawson. However, Origi rescued a point for the Reds in the final minute, prompting Klopp to celebrate the draw with his players in front of the Kop after the match. The reverse finished 1-1 in May, with Ibe cancelling out Rondon's opener.

Right, the players are out and we're almost ready to go at Anfield! Tottenham and Arsenal have already slipped up today and with Manchester City not playing until tomorrow, a win by two goals would be enough for Liverpool to climb top of the table.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! West Brom get us underway at Anfield!

An early penalty shout for Liverpool as Mane breaks into the area and goes down under the challenge of Nyom, but the officials judge that the Liverpool man instigated the contact.

As expected, Liverpool are controlling the ball in these early stages, and it is a pattern that is likely to continue throughout the match. West Brom will be content with that, just waiting to pounce on the counter.

Liverpool break into the box again through Lallana as he skips past a couple of challenges before the ball breaks to Coutinho, but his first-time effort is blocked before it can test Foster.

West Brom make their first break forward and have four men in the box as Dawson lifts it into the middle, but the cross is overhit and goes out for a throw-in.

Not much to shout about in the opening 10 minutes here. Liverpool haven't got off to a flying start by any means, which will be exactly what Pulis was hoping for.

Lallana slaloms through a few challenges to get things moving for Liverpool, but West Brom don't get pulled out of their shape and once again there is no way through for the home side.

Almost a chance for West Brom to do exactly what they are looking to do here. Chali steals possession in his own half and three of them quickly break. Phillips carries the ball forward too and tries to find an unmarked Rondon in the box, but Firmino has tracked it all the way and makes a crucial interception.

Good break from Liverpool again as Mane slides a clever pass down the right channel for Firmino, but his low cut-back is intercepted by Yacob and Foster completes the clearance.

Perhaps a bit of frustration already from Coutinho as he dispenses with the passing and just tries to hammer one towards goal. Even then, though, West Brom make the block.

CHANCE! Half a chance for the hosts as Milner makes his way into the box and climbs highest between two Baggies defenders before planting his header over the crossbar.

Fletcher tests the handling of Karuis with a long drive from range, but it wouldn't have counted anyway as the referee had blown for a handball.

Liverpool break the deadlock, and it is a lovely team goal tat is finished off by Mane. Milner plays a ball forward that Coutinho leaves for Can, who takes on the charge. He then lays it off to Firmino, who lifts an inch-perfect cross over the head of Nyom for Mane to volley home.

That goal may well open this game up a bit, which is even better news for Liverpool. West Brom need to come out and play at some point now, although that may not happen just yet.

Coutinho tries to poke a ball forward for Can, who chases it into the box and puts the defender under pressure while he waits for Foster to come and claim. The keeper eventually does collect it, but it was good pressure from Can, who was the furthest forward for the hosts.

Brilliant play from Clyne down the right as he skips past one before whipping a teasing cross into the box. Can sticks a leg out, but is just short of turning it home.

He's certainly established himself as a key player under Jurgen Klopp...

17 - Roberto Firmino has had a hand in 17 goals (12 goals, 5 assists) for Liverpool in the PL in 2016; more than any other player. Crucial. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2016

One thing Liverpool have managed to do in this game so far is avoid conceding any corners. Klopp's side are notoriously poor at defending set pieces, while West Brom have plenty of players who can threaten from them. The Baggies actually enjoyed great success from that route in the corresponding fixture last term, but so far they haven't been able to offer anything of that sort today.

SHOT! Half a chance for Liverpool as Lallana collects the ball and twists into shooting space just inside the box. He tries to pick out the top corner with his left foot, but sends his effort off target.

West Brom just can't get their foot on the ball at the moment. Liverpool are controlling possession and territory, but as long as the gap remains just one, West Brom will still feel as though they are in this one.

Liverpool have that second goal, and it is Coutinho who gives his side a cushion. It all stems from a poor clearance from Foster as he gifts the ball back to Liverpool in his own half. It is worked out to Coutinho, who sells two players with a dummy before drilling his finish past Foster at the near post.

That goal, by the way, means that Liverpool are top of the table as things stand. It is hard to see West Brom doing anything to change that too.

SHOT! Half a chance for Liverpool again as Firmino flicks the ball into the path of a marauding Clyne. The full-back is leaning away from his shot, though, and slices it well off target.

West Brom never make things easy for teams, but Liverpool have dealt with their defensive stubbornness so well today. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them add to their lead, perhaps even before half time here.

Here is confirmation of Liverpool's current position. Feast your eyes on this, Reds fans...

YELLOW CARD! Yacob goes into the book for dissent after Fletcher fouled Can, which means that Yacob will miss the next game through suspension. Pulis is not happy on the touchline.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

The first half comes to an end at Anfield, then, and it is Liverpool who are in complete control of the contest at 2-0 up. It took them a bit of time to break West Brom down, but since the opening goal it has been very easy for the hosts, who have dominated both possession and territory.

The breakthrough came after 21 minutes, and it took a fluid team move from the hosts to break West Brom's stubbornness down. A ball forward from Milner was brilliantly dummied by Coutinho into the path of Can, who in turn worked it out left to Firmino. The Brazilian then proceeded to lift his cross over the head of an out-of-position Nyom and to Mane, who volleyed it past Foster.

The second goal arrived with 10 minutes remaining of the half, and this time it was a combination of sloppy play from West Brom and a clinical finish from Coutinho. Fletcher's pass back to Foster put the keeper in trouble, and his subsequent clearance was poor. Fletcher then couldn't take it down as Liverpool won the ball back in a good position, working it out to Coutinho on the left. The midfielder then dummied his way inside past two players before drilling his finish low past Foster at the near post.

Aside from the two goals, Liverpool have been utterly dominant, with West Brom yet to create a decent sight of goal. Clyne, Lallana and Milner have all sent efforts off target for the Reds, but defensively they have had very little to do. It is hard to see a way back for the Baggies in truth.

KICKOFF: Liverpool get us back underway for the second half here, and the first thing to tell you is that there has been a change at the break. Yacob, who picked up a silly yellow in the opening 45 minutes, is off and the fit-again Chris Brunt replaces him.

Another bright break from Liverpool even this early into the half as Coutinho picks the ball up inside the box and again tries to duck inside. This time, though, the visitors get a body in the way.

Good defending from Olsson as he just leans into Firmino inside the penalty area to prevent the attacker getting on the end of Coutinho's through-ball, which Foster eventually collects.

This time it is Brunt who makes an important interception as Milner finds Clyne is so much space inside the box. The full-back tries to slide a low pass to Firmino at the back post, but Brunt steps in to clear.

WEST BROM SUB: We're only six minutes into the second half, but Tony Pulis is making his second change already as James Morrison replaces Phillips.

4 - Liverpool's nine PL goals from open play at Anfield this season have been scored by either Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana or Mane. Fab. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2016

Magnificent skill from Firmino as he spins the ball through the legs of McAuley, who has no choice but to drag the Brazilian down. Free kick to Liverpool in a good crossing position...

...but Milner's delivery is woefully overhit and the Baggies have a goal kick.

CHANCE! Big chance for Liverpool to kill this game off once and for all. It is another quick counter from the hosts, with Coutinho and Mane combining to find Firmino in a good position inside the box. He collects the ball and turns, but McAuley makes a vital block.

YELLOW CARD! McClean goes into the book, and it is a free kick in a very good position for Liverpool now.

WHAT A SAVE! Ben Foster, take a bow! Coutinho clips a good free kick into the middle that Lovren rises to flick towards the top corner, but Fosters somehow gets a hand to it and claws it away. The rebound drops to Firmino, but his acrobatic volley is blocked.

Liverpool are not letting up here. Firmino is the latest to almost get in behind, but this time Nyom does well to get a toe to the ball and poke it behind for a corner.

The hosts want this third! A low ball into the box from Clyne sees Firmino, Lallana and Coutinho all go for it, but none of them can get a shot away. The ball is cleared out to Can, but he fires his long-range effort well over.

West Brom have barely been out of their own half since the interval. It has been completely one-way traffic, even more so than in the first half.

WEST BROM SUB: The Baggies make their third and final change with 25 minutes still to go as Hal Robson-Kanu replaces McClean.

CHANCE! Brilliant defending from Olsson to keep Liverpool at bay once again! Coutinho is released down the left flank by a fine ball from Milner and the Brazilian again cuts inside before teeing up Can. The German tries to pick out the bottom corner, but Olsson throws himself in the way of the shot and makes a huge block. Moments later Milner goes for goal, but Foster collects it comfortably.

SHOT! Can has another sight of goal here, this time from 25 yards, but this time he curls it well over the crossbar.

The biggest cheer from the visitors greets a corner for West Brom! This could be their chance to finally put Karius under a bit of pressure.

CHANCE! Finally a sight of goal for the Baggies as Firmino can only clear the ball as far as Chadli inside the area, but the in-form midfielder skews his shot off target.

The only frustration for Liverpool right now is that they are only two goals up. West Brom are not quite completely out of this game, but if they were able to nick a goal then it would be completely against the run of play. Liverpool have been utterly dominant today.

SHOT! Another rare effort from West Brom here as Robson-Kanu keeps the ball alive and pokes it back to Morrison, who curls his effort over from around 25 yards.

West Brom are just beginning to enjoy more of the ball inside the Liverpool half now. There aren't many signs that they will drag themselves back into this one yet, but they have at least stemmed the tide a little.

Liverpool's intensity has just dropped in the last 10 minutes or so, which is perhaps understandable considering how quick a tempo they have dictated from the first whistle today.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Klopp makes his first change of the evening, and it is Lallana who makes way to a standing ovation to be replaced by the returning Georginio Wijnaldum.

CHANCE! Half a chance for West Brom again, and predictably it comes from a set piece. This time it is a free kick which Karius completely misjudges, allowing McAuley to nod one in at the back post that Karius shovels behind.

This one isn't over quite yet! McAuley halves the deficit, and yet again it comes from a set piece. No-one can get a convincing head on the resulting corner and it bounces kindly for McAuley, who lashes it home from close range. Nervy nine minutes coming up for Liverpool now!

CHANCE! Chance for Liverpool to respond immediately at the other end as Mane's ball is nodded towards goal for Firmino, but it is straight at Foster.

CHANCE! Foster is now keeping West Brom in this game! Liverpool break forward again as Mane carries the ball down the left channel. The winger cuts back and combines with Wijnaldum to find Firmino, but his effort is pushed away by Foster.

SAVE! This is end-to-end stuff at the moment! First Chadli bends a long-range strike over the crossbar from range before Liverpool break up the other end and Coutinho fires an effort into the arms of Foster.

Liverpool concede a free kick and once again their defending of it leaves plenty to be desired. The ball is knocked back to a West Brom man on the edge of the box, but Lovren is out to make an important block.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Defensive change from Liverpool here as Coutinho makes way for Lucas Leiva.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match!

LIVERPOOL SUB: The third and final change for the Reds as Mane is replaced by Divock Origi.

CLOSE! Liverpool are so close to killing he game off here as Wijnaldum curls on towards the bottom corner, but it skims inches wide.

And breathe, Liverpool fans! Having utterly dominated for around 70 minutes of the match, the Reds were forced to hang on in the closing stages there, but ultimately they do return to winning ways at home to move joint top of the table, level on points with Arsenal. Goals from Mane and Coutinho in the first half looked like being enough to send them above the Gunners on goal difference, but McAuley's late strike halved the deficit and in the end Liverpool will be happy just to have come away with the win.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Liverpool move joint top with a 2-1 win over West Brom that ended up being a lot more nervy than it should have been. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!