Simi Ajay nodded near the end to give struggling West Bromwich Albion a surprise 1-1 draw at
Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday after the reigning champions advanced early through
Sadio Mane.
Liverpool have 32 points from 15 games, three points ahead of second-placed Everton.
West Brom remained in 19th place with eight points, but the team’s struggle will please the new coach
Sam Allarades.
Liverpool surrounded the opponent’s goal from the start, and it was not a surprise when Mane hit the net
in the 12th minute, receiving Joel Matip’s pass in the chest and then slamming into Sam Johnston’s
goal from ten meters.
Mane almost added the second goal midway through the first half, but he put the ball off the goal after
Jordan Henderson’s cross, then Mohamed Salah hit the ball directly over the bar from the edge of
the penalty area.
West Brom was more determined after the break and Liverpool goalkeeper Alison Baker saved a dangerous
chance from a one-on-one position from Carl Grant before Nigerian defender Ajay scored in the 82nd minute.
And Liverpool caused a corner kick by Matthews Pereira to reach Ajay, who jumped higher than Fabinho
to put it with a header to hit the post into the goal.
