Premier League: Liverpool 0 West Brom 1

Roy Hodgson marked his return to Anfield with a victory as West Brom grabbed a late win against Liverpool on Sunday.

Peter Odemwingie’s goal 15 minutes from tiem proved to be the decider in a rare attack from West Brom who were camped in their own half for most of the game.

Glen Johnson was the culprit of slack defending as the full-back squandered possession near his own box, which allowed the Nigeria international to race clear and steer the ball past Pepe Reina.

Liverpool had the chance to take the lead after 10 minutes as Luis Suarez picked out an unmarked Dirk Kuyt inside the West Brom box, but the Dutchman screwed his shot across Ben Foster.

Dalglish’s men spurned their second chance as Suarez found space on Liverpool’s right and flashed an inviting ball across the face of West Brom’s goal which eluded his team-mates.

The hosts continued their pressure and saw a penalty claim turned down moments later as Maxi Rodriguez was brought down by Billy Jones inside the box.

Contact was minimal and the Argentine appeared to have played for the decision after running out of space with the ball.

The visitors were subdued for large parts of the opening half but could have opened the scoring against the run of play had it not been for a fantastic save from Pepe Reina.

Shane Long beat Daniel Agger in the air and the striker’s cushioned header was met with a low drive from Christ Brunt but the Liverpool goalkeeper, on his return from a three-game suspension, displayed superb agility to palm the ball away.

Shades of Liverpool’s inability to finishes chances in the first half surfaced early after the restart as Suarez, who enjoyed a busy opening 45, flashed the ball across West Brom’s six-yard box which failed to get a connection from anybody.

Jordan Henderson was the next candidate to go close for Liverpool. A slick one-touch interchange on the right flank which was conducted by Suarez eventually saw Andy Carroll lay the ball off for the 21-year-old, whose well-struck shot beat Foster but rebounded off the crossbar.

Liverpool’s failure to convert opportunities into goals was finally punished by West Brom as Hodgson’s men took the lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Glen Johnson had successfully read Youssuf Mulumbu’s stepover down West Brom’s left but the Liverpool defender tried to flick the ball past the midfielder after regaining possession, which allowed the Congo international to feed a pass to Odemwingie, who raced clear and finished neatly past Reina.

The win for West Brom moves them into 10th, while Liverpool neglected the chance to overtake neighbours Everton and proved that any European dreams next season will be dependent on a revival of their home form.