• Liverpool 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

Lallana off the mark as lacklustre Liverpool scrape win

Adam Lallana fires home his first goal for Liverpool © Getty Images

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It was far from pretty, but Liverpool bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat in Basel to earn a much-needed 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.

Goals from Adam Lallana - his first since his £25 million summer move - and Jordan Henderson sandwiched a Saido Berahino penalty for Liverpool's first win in the league since August.

At the end of a lacklustre first half, Lallana played a neat one-two Rickie Lambert, who had started in place of misfiring Mario Balotelli, before finishing well past Ben Foster.

Ten minutes after the break, West Brom were back on level terms when Berahino was too quick for Dejan Lovren, who upended the tricky forward in the box. Berahino picked himself up and sent Simon Mignolet the wrong way from the spot.

But it lasted just a few minutes when Raheem Sterling did well to find Henderson, who made no mistake from around 15 yards.

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Rodgers made a bold decision in dropping his £16m signing from AC Milan after just one goal and some less-than-impressive displays in seven appearances.

In the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge, still not fit from a thigh injury sustained on England duty which has ruled him out of next week's Euro 2016 qualifiers, the only other option was to hand Lambert, making the 550th appearance of his career, his first league start for the club he rejoined in the summer.

While it did not pay off in terms of goal threat he did at least provide a greater work-rate up front, closing down the opponent in possession, but looked short of confidence and sharpness.

A couple of half-chances came his way which he would most likely have buried first time during his Southampton days, but the burden of responsibility is greater at Anfield and he almost always took a second touch which invariably gave defenders that split-second to recover.

His best attempt was parried by Foster after his England team-mate had instantly killed Martin Skrtel's long pass out of defence and rattled off a shot.

The ploy of playing Philippe Coutinho deeper, almost alongside Steven Gerrard on occasions, meant the Brazil international saw plenty of the ball but he has yet to rediscover his knack of playing the pass which unlocks defences.

A positive aspect of the tweak to the formation was Henderson getting further forward, putting him in a position to contribute both offensively and defensively as he was the one, along with Lambert, who provided the energy to press the opponent in possession.

But the 24-year-old is much more than a willing runner and it was his touch and vision which laid on the assist for the goal a minute before half-time.

The build-up involved two delicious backheels, one from Lallana which gave him the extra yard to change direction and drive into the penalty area where he exchanged passes with Henderson, who produced the second neat flick, before firing low across Foster and inside the far post.

To be fair to West Brom the goal came against the run of play as it was they and not the hosts who had knocked the ball about confidently and created the better chances - the best of which saw the impressive Berahino plant a free header over the crossbar from Sebastien Pocognoli's cross and force Mignolet to parry a fierce shot after Javi Manquillo's backpass fell short.

Questions have been asked of Liverpool's goalkeeper this season, particularly considering their vulnerability at set-pieces, but twice when he came for corners he punched clear.

He was given little chance with West Brom's equaliser, however, as referee Mike Oliver ruled Lovren had brought down Berahino inside the area and the Baggies forward picked himself up to fire home from the spot.

Oliver was in no mood to given Sterling a penalty when he appeared to be barged over by Craig Gardener but the winger staggered to his feet and cut the ball back to Henderson who side-footed home for his first goal since March.

Lambert departed, along with Manquillo, as Balotelli and Glen Johnson - back from a thigh injury - came on and the Italy international soon curled a low shot just wide of Foster's left-hand post.

A late move saw Coutinho replaced by Lucas Leiva, freeing Gerrard to revisit the number 10 role he played so well for so long before assuming his deep-lying role in an attempt to bring the best out of Balotelli.

That may need some work, however, as aside from one long-range shot the Italian's only other chance came in added time when Foster saved with his legs at his near post.

Saido Berahino was fouled by Dejan Lovren and picked himself up to score the penalty © Getty Images

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