Liverpool were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on Sunday.
As Liverpool struggled to open up a five-point lead at the top, Semi Ajayi scored a late equalizer to cancel out Sadio Mane’s first-half opener.
After 12 minutes, when Matip clipped the ball into Mane. He then chested it down and rifled a shot past West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnston.
Liverpool dominated possession from the first minute and opened the scoring. The hosts struggled to collect several clear-cut opportunities after the goal. But with their crosses into the box, fullbacks Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold presented a constant threat. Liverpool had enjoyed 87 % possession in the first half and no West Brom player had made more than 8 passes.
In the second half, the visitors posed a stronger threat and were given a boost after Matip limped off after 59 minutes. Liverpool remained frustrated, and when Karlan Grant was put in, West Brom almost grabbed an equalizer. But Alisson blocked his attempt.
After 82 minutes, West Brom caught their equalizer when Ajayi headed in from Matheus Pereira’s cross. Roberto Firmino missed a 90th-minute opportunity to steal a victory for Liverpool. Johnstone somehow clawed out his downward close-range header and twisted it around the post.
Liverpool suffered yet another injury as Matip limped off with a groin injury. Meanwhile, West Brom picked up up their first point under Sam Allardyce but remain in the relegation zone.
