Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool have set piece 'issues' after West Brom clash

JURGEN KLOPP admits Liverpool have set-piece “issues”.

By Chris McKenna

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have an issue with set pieces

It is something that needs to be sorted if they are going to mount a serious title challenge in the Premier League.

For all their brilliance in attack, the frailties at the back could still derail their ride to the top end of the table if they are not careful.

West Brom arrived at Anfield with what midfielder James Morrison called a “weapon” which was to pump it high from dead balls to their big target men.

Gareth McAuley made the most of his chance when he was allowed to control the ball on his shoulder and rifle home from close range after a Chris Brunt corner was knocked on.

It didn’t alter the result but McAuley’s 81st minute strike kept Liverpool behind Arsenal on goal difference.

Brilliant first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho were enough to stretch Liverpool’s unbeaten run to nine games.

Sadio Mane bagged Liverpool's first goal against West Brom

“If people say we have some issues with set pieces how can we say they are wrong,” boss Klopp said. “I think 70/80 per cent of the goals we have conceded are from set pieces.

“But they are all different and we are still working on it and we defended against Manchester United brilliantly, and against West Brom it was so difficult.”

Asked about his seemingly lightweight defence Klopp said: “I’ve heard this a few times and I lose respect when people say this.

“It’s good that people can talk about some things. Do you believe that we work on it?

“It is not the same problem we had last year. I like it more than when they create chances whenever they want because we defend like crazy. I’m fine with this for the moment but only for the moment.

“For this game I don’t care how we conceded, as we won and it was well deserved.”

Gareth McAuley grabbed a goal back for West Brom against Liverpool

Up front there are no issues for Liverpool as the quartet of Coutinho, Mane, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino are frighteningly good.Coutinho started the move for the opener with a clever dummy that led to Emre Can finding Firmino with his cross put into the bottom corner first time by Mane.The second saw Coutinho leave Craig Dawson and McAuley heading the wrong way before he lashed into the bottom corner.Until the Baggies got one back it was proving a pretty easy day for the home side.West Brom captain Darren Fletcher is a former league champion with Manchester United midfielder so it was understandable he was not going to get too excited about Liverpool’s title prospects.“Obviously they’ve started the season well but there’s a long way to go,” he said.“Leagues aren’t won in October and November, they’re won March to May. There’s a long, long way to go.”

Philippe Coutinho doubled Liverpool's advantage against West Brom

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Karius 5; Clyne 6, Matip 7, Lovren 6, Milner 7; Can 7, Henderson 7, COUTINHO 8 (Lucas 88); Mane 7 (Origi 90), Firmino 7, Lallana 7 (Wijnaldum 79). Subs: Mignolet, Sturridge, Klavan, Moreno.

UP NEXT: Tottenham (h), EFL Cup, tomorrow.

WEST BROM (4-4-1-1): FOSTER 8; Dawson 6, McAuley 7, Olsson 7, Nyom 6; Phillips 5 (Morrison 51, 6), Yacob 5 (Brunt 46, 6), Fletcher 6, McClean 5 (Robson-Kanu 65, 6); Chadli 6; Rondon 5. Subs: Myhill, Galloway, Gardner, Leko.

UP NEXT: Manchester City (h), Premier League, Saturday.

REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick 7

STAR MAN: PHILIPPE COUTINHO - A class apart

STAR SHOCKER: Matt Phillips - Barely touched the ball.