Liverpool have moved level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Anfield this evening.
The Reds could have moved top of the pile on goal difference with a two-goal victory, but they were forced to hold off a late fightback from the Baggies after Gareth McAuley pulled a goal back in the final 10 minutes.
Jurgen Klopp made one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Manchester United on Monday night, with Daniel Sturridge being replaced by Adam Lallana, and the latter was heavily involved as Liverpool quickly took control of possession.
West Brom's defence was typically stubborn in the opening exchanges, though, with James Milner's header over the bar the only half-chance the hosts were able to create in the opening 20 minutes.
It took a flowing team move from the hosts to break the deadlock midway through the first half when Philippe Coutinho's dummy released Emre Can, who in turn found Roberto Firmino down the left flank. The Brazilian then lifted a cross over the head of Allan Nyom at the back post that Sadio Mane volleyed past an onrushing Ben Foster.
From then on it was one-way traffic for the Reds as they looked to hammer home their advantage and extend their unbeaten record in the league to seven games for the first time since March 2015, and Lallana was the next to come close when he curled a left-footed effort off target from the edge of the box.
The second goal did arrive with 10 minutes remaining of the first half, though, as Foster's sliced clearance was pounced upon by Liverpool and worked out to Coutinho, who dummied his way past two defenders before drilling his finish in at the near post.
Draws earlier in the day for Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal ensured that the second goal was enough to take Liverpool temporarily top of the table, but Klopp's side never looked content to settle for that and Nathaniel Clyne squandered another chance to make things more comfortable before half time.
Liverpool's dominance only increased in the second half, and it took some last-gasp defending from the visitors to keep the score down when McAuley threw himself in the way of Firmino's shot following more slick build-up play from the Reds.
Foster then came to West Brom's rescue with a sensational one-handed stop to deny Dejan Lovren's header, which looked destined for the top corner before the West Brom keeper was able to claw it away.
Can was the next to threaten for Liverpool with two chances in quick succession, the first of which saw Jonas Olsson produce a brave block from close range before the German curled one well off target from outside the area.
West Brom's first shot finally arrived with 20 minutes remaining of the match when Firmino's clearance from a corner only went as far as Nacer Chadli, but the in-form midfielder, who had scored four goals in five league games for the Baggies before today, skewed his shot off target from inside the area.
The visitors slowly began to see more of the ball as the match edged towards its conclusion, and another rare attempt arrived shortly afterwards when James Morrison curled a 25-yard strike over the bar.
The closing stages saw the Baggies also win more set pieces, and Liverpool's familiar weaknesses soon reared their heads again when McAuley pulled a goal back for his side, lashing home from close range after the hosts had failed to adequately deal with a corner.
That sparked an end-to-end period of the game as West Brom looked to steal an unlikely point from Merseyside, but they needed Foster to keep them in with a chance as the keeper denied Firmino twice in quick succession.
West Brom also threatened to make it four consecutive draws, but in the end it was Liverpool who came closest to the game's fourth goal when Georginio Wijnaldum bent an effort inches wide in the final minute of stoppage time.
Had that gone in then it would have been enough to lift Liverpool top of the table, but ultimately they were forced to settle for second place on goal difference, level on points with the Gunners.
The victory also extended Liverpool's unbeaten home record to 17 matches in all competitions, while the Baggies have now won just two of their 19 Premier League away games over the last 12 months.
It is also the first time that Tony Pulis has been beaten by Liverpool in his last nine Premier League matches against the Reds, leaving the Baggies 13th in the table.
Barney Corkhill
