..::Football III::..

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'Concerned' Van Gaal insists Manchester United must stick together


Louis van Gaal admits he is "concerned" by Manchester United's recent results but insists the team must "stick together" to recover quickly.

An injury-ravaged United were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth on Saturday to compound a miserable seven days in which they drew 0-0 with West Ham and exited the Champions League following defeat to Wolfsburg.

Van Gaal accepts he faces a challenge to restore confidence in his players ahead of next week's clash with Norwich City at Old Trafford but has vowed to ensure his side do recover.

"We have to make a revival this week," he told reporters. "That's always very difficult because you have lost two in a row. That's not happening much for Manchester United.

"Of course I'm concerned because we have lost two matches in a row, and that is not usual. So we have to stick together and prepare our match against Norwich, and we have to win, otherwise it is more difficult.

"It's already very difficult because my players are very disappointed, they have done everything but they have lost."We'll do our job, but it is more difficult to prepare a game against Norwich when you have lost twice in a row.

"Hard work, training, preparation, focus [are key]. All the same things I've done in 25 years of management. Only now it's more difficult. I'll challenge the players and we shall come back."

Joshua King scored Bournemouth's winner against his old side and Van Gaal admits the striker posed problems for United throughout the encounter.

"In the first half we dominated, in the second we didn't any more," he added. "It was an equal game, they scored out of set-plays but defensively we had a big problem with King all the time."

United lost both Jesse Lingard and Paddy McNair to injuries, lengthening an already extensive list of players on the treatment table, and Van Gaal revealed Ashley Young did not appear as a substitute due to a problem of his own.

"I have given, in a situation of this match, my preference to Memphis Depay, or Jesse Lingard, or [Cameron] Borthwick-Jackson or [Guillermo] Varela," he explained. "And yesterday in training he [Young] had a feeling he was not fit enough."

 

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Del Bosque: There are no easy groups

Vicente del Bosque has denied Spain have received an easy route through to the knock-out rounds of Euro 2016.

The holders were pitted against Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia in Saturday's draw in Paris, with their opening game scheduled for June 13 against Pavel Vrba's men in Toulouse.

Del Bosque believes the extended tournament next year, which sees 24 teams compete, makes the whole group stage difficult to call.

"We have to give value to the opponents.," he said. "Croatia are very familiar to everyone, they're a great team. We have to do our best, to choose the best and we go for our third European title. It's a difficult group."I don't see any comfortable group. When we start to play I will tell you [if there is a group of death].

"It's a longer and more difficult tournament."Spain are looking to become the first side to win three consecutive European Championships, with Del Bosque seeking his second triumph as coach.

 

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Red-hot Hernandez 'not obsessed' with scoring

Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez insists he is "not obsessed" with scoring goals after netting a hat-trick in Saturday's demolition of Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Mexico international took his tally to 15 goals in just 12 games for Leverkusen as they thrashed Gladbach 5-0 at the BayArena, five more goals than former club Manchester United's entire squad have managed in the same spell.

While Hernandez celebrated becoming the first Mexican to hit a treble in Germany's top flight, United suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old insists the performance and success of the team remains paramount, however, and was delighted with Leverkusen's display off the back of a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League.


"This is an effort from the whole team, not just me," he told the official Bundesliga website.

"Like I say, strikers are very close to scoring goals. Some people think it's our only job but I'm not obsessed.

"It's a consequence of the team. I'm very happy, but what we take is the performance from the whole team and the substitutes. We didn't concede goals, we had a bit of luck as well compared to Wednesday, when we also played very well but couldn't score the second goal.

"Last game we scored one, now we scored five. That's football, you can't predict anything.

"All the goals are perfect because they all count the same, it doesn't matter if you score with your head, left foot, right foot, if it's outside the box, inside, if it's magnificent play or if it's just a normal play."

 

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Balotelli may watch Euro 2016 on TV - Conte

Italy coach Antonio Conte has dampened Mario Balotelli's hopes of playing in Euro 2016 by suggesting the Milan striker may have to watch the tournament on television.Balotelli has not played for his country since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when Italy crashed out in the group stages after losing 1-0 to Costa Rica and Uruguay.

But after Italy were drawn alongside Belgium, Ireland and Sweden for the tournament, Balotelli posted a message on his Instagram page saying he "can't wait" for Euro 2016 to begin.

"He can't wait for what? To watch us on TV or to play in the Euros?" Conte said.
"It's up to him, just as all the others, to prove himself."

Balotelli, 25, has played just four times for Milan this season and has only scored one goal, with a groin injury having kept the on-loan Liverpool striker out of action since September, although he has returned to training.

Conte added: "He has to prove a lot. Really a lot. I have not closed the door on anyone."There are five months to the tournament and things could change. However, things have to change in a clear and substantial manner."

Conte has named Balotelli in only one international squad since becoming Italy coach in 2014.And Balotelli, who scored twice in Italy's 2-1 semi-final win against Germany at Euro 2012, subsequently pulled out due to injury.

Conte said: "The players who took us to Euro 2016 qualification have the advantage and someone really has to impress to break into that group."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.12.13 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.12.13 Fixtures

Aston Villa Vs Arsenal

Liverpool Vs WBA

Tottenham Vs Newcastle

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LA Liga 2015.12.13 Fixtures

LA Liga 2015.12.13 Fixtures

Rayo Vallecano Vs Malaga

Eibar Vs Valencia

Atlectico Madrid Vs Athletic Bilbao

Villareal Vs Real Madrid​

 

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Seria A 2015.12.13 Fixtures

Seria A 2015.12.13 Fixtures

AC Milan Vs Hellas

Chievo Vs Atalanta

Empoli Vs Carpi

Napoli Vs Roma

Juventus Vs Fiorentina​

 

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Hodgson: Bale a threat, but England have their own stars

England manager Roy Hodgson has warned his side of the threat Gareth Bale will pose at Euro 2016 - but is confident his own stars will be just as big a danger to Wales.

Wales were drawn against England in Group B of the tournament and the pair will meet in Lens, France on June 16.

Russia and Slovakia were the other nations drawn in the group and while Hodgson warned a Bale-led Wales will be England's biggest threat, he has confidence in his own players.

"As far as I’m concerned let’s bring it on now and I only hope on the night my team will perform at the level I hope they can perform at," the 68-year-old said on Saturday.

"One of the things we will be concerned with will be stopping Gareth Bale and limiting his chances but I would like to think we have one or two players that will occupy Welsh minds in terms of how we stop them.

"I’ve been very, very impressed with Wales. I think they have a strong spine. I think Ashley Williams has done a magnificent job at centre-half. They have a good goalkeeper in Wayne Hennessey.

"And I think Chris Coleman has put a lot of players around those that are complementing them well and make certain they can get the best out of, in particular, Gareth Bale, who is a world.

 

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Busquets: Blame me for Barca slip up

Sergio Busquets said he takes full blame for the Deportivo La Coruna goal that cost Barcelona two points on Saturday.Goals from Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic had Barca 2-0 up just after the hour-mark, but Deportivo fought back to score twice and take a point from Camp Nou.Victor Sanchez's men did the same thing on the final day of last season which ensured Deportivo's survival in the top flight.

Busquets, who gave away the ball which led to Deportivo's equaliser, admitted his error and took full responsibility for the goal."In the second half, at 2-0 we thought it was almost done," the Spain international told Barca TV.

"We had the bad luck of conceding a goal and then there was my loss of the ball. I take full blame for the equaliser."We must learn to close out games or when we can try to limit any counter-attacks and have plenty of men behind the ball.

Rakitic, meanwhile, was "hurt" by his side dropping points and feels they should have killed it off before the equaliser.

"Sometimes it’s tough to control what happens out on the pitch. We have to analyse it, talk about it and improve," he said."We controlled the game, which was positive, but it hurts to draw after being up 2–0.

"We have to congratulate Deportivo because they played their game until the end.
"We had chances to score more and we just didn’t put away the game.

 

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I'll kick Vardy if it helps Chelsea - Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic says he will not shy away from kicking Jamie Vardy in order to help Chelsea beat Leicester City on Monday night.

Vardy has scored 14 goals for Leicester this season, and has recently broken the Premier League record previously held by Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy when he struck in 11 consecutive games.Ivanovic is wary of the threat Vardy poses, but will attempt to stop the England international by any means necessary.

When asked id he would kick Vardy, Ivanovic replied: "If this helps, yes. Some of the strikers don’t like [it] when you kick [them]. You kill their confidence.

"Vardy at the moment is running a lot and is making the space for other players as well. They are confident. I think it will be very hard."

Chelsea sit in the bottom half of the table ahead of Monday's clash with Leicester after a poor start to the season. Jose Mourinho's side have lost eight of their 15 Premier League games, while Claudio Ranieri's men have been beaten just once.

 

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Van Gaal sets Man Utd flops three-game challenge to stay in title race

Louis van Gaal admits Manchester United need to get back to winning ways fast or risk losing pace in the race for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils followed up their midweek Champions League disappointment with defeat to Bournemouth, and have now failed to win in their last five games in all competitions.

The Dutchman has urged his team to rally together ahead of a gruelling winter fixture period, and has challenged his side to rack up three straight wins if they want to keep their fading title hopes alive.

“We have to make a revival in this week, but that's always difficult because you have lost two matches in a row,” Van Gaal explained after Saturday’s loss away to the Cherries.

“We have to stick together and prepare for the match with Norwich, and we have to win or else it is even more difficult. It is more difficult to prepare a game with Norwich when you have lost 2 games in a row.“But now we have to win, say, three matches in a row to still be there after Christmas.”

United were beaten 3-2 away to Wolfsburg on Tuesday evening, sending them into the Europa League, before losing 2-1 away to Bournemouth as former Red Devil Joshua King came back to haunt his old club.

 

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Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: Giroud & Ramsey give Gunners comfortable win

Olivier Giroud's 50th Premier League goal helped send Arsenal to the top of the table in a 2-0 victory over struggling Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.

The Frenchman's rich vein of form continued as he opened the scoring from the penalty spot against Remi Garde's side, whose winless run in the top flight now stands at 15 matches.

Giroud had netted his first Arsenal hat-trick - which also included a penalty - in Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League success at Olympiacos, and the striker now has five goals in his last three games across all competitions.

Mesut Ozil laid on his 13th Premier League assist this term to set up Aaron Ramsey for Arsenal's second shortly before half-time, and there was no looking back for Arsene Wenger's side.

Garde's team - unchanged from last week - did improve after the interval but they could not beat Petr Cech, who equalled David James' all-time Premier League record with his 169th clean sheet.Victory subsequently sends Arsenal into pole position, but Leicester City could overtake them if they beat struggling Chelsea on Monday.

Wenger made one change to his side from the 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with Theo Walcott.

The former Southampton man had a rapid impact. His pace caused problems for Alan Hutton who pulled him back inside the box to concede a penalty.Giroud confidently stepped up and calmly slotted the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner with just eight minutes played.

Villa saw plenty of the ball but struggled to create anything, and in the 20th minute Rudy Gestede had to hook Giroud's header off the line when Brad Guzan failed to collect Ozil's free-kick.

Cech's inability to hold a Carlos Sanchez cross shortly afterwards afforded Leandro Bacuna a chance to restore parity, but the left-back could not keep his effort down.

Arsenal began to assert themselves in possession, but escaped when Idrissa Gueye was unable to make the most of a cheap giveaway as his 25-yard strike swerved wide.

Wenger's team added a second in the 38th minute when Ramsey dispossessed Gueye 25 yards from his goal, initiating a counter-attack which resulted in him sweeping home from Ozil's unselfish square pass.

Villa were positive after the restart with Jordan Veretout and Gestede missing the target before Sanchez warmed Cech's gloves with a curled shot in the 50th minute.

Scott Sinclair was unable to work Cech with a free header shortly afterwards, while Bacuna's impressive 20-yard strike grazed the roof of the net with 62 minutes on the clock.

Jack Grealish, recalled to the first team after two weeks out as punishment for a night out following the 4-0 defeat to Everton in November, was introduced in the 78th minute, but it was too late for bottom club Villa, whose ninth Premier League home match without a victory is a club record Garde would not have wanted.

 

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AC Milan 1-1 Verona: De Jong red card piles pressure on Mihajlovic

Pressure mounted on AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic after his side failed to beat Serie A's bottom club at home, drawing 1-1 with Verona and having Nigel De Jong sent off.

Cesare Prandelli has reportedly been lined up to take over at San Siro and Mihajlovic's position was weakened further despite Milan's run of only one loss in their last 10 matches.

Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca linked up for the opener shortly after half-time, the Colombia striker finishing from close range for his first goal in seven games after Adriano had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside.

Milan's lead was short-lived, though, as De Jong was dismissed for bringing down Leandro Greco in the box, Luca Toni stepping up to level the scores – his ninth league goal against Milan.

The frustration of the home fans was made clear when Riccardo Montolivo's substitution with 10 minutes remaining was loudly jeered.

Despite being winless in Serie A and rooted to the foot of the table, Verona started on top, with Artur Ionita scuffing a shot at Gianluigi Donnarumma and Eros Pisano heading a corner wide.

M'Baye Niang had the Rossoneri's first sight of goal in the 16th minute, firing a low drive wide of the near post, before Adriano missed the target from a corner.

Milan should have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark when Bacca found Bonaventura with a reverse pass, but Pierluigi Gollini saved the tame shot with his legs and the rebound landed in his hands.

Verona could have had a penalty when Alex pulled down Toni in the box before Adriano had the ball in the net after turning home Bacca's pass, only for the assistant referee's flag to wrongly deny him, with both attackers in line with the last defender.

Both teams had chances early in the second half, Ionita putting Greco's cross wide of the post and Gollini keeping out Bonaventura's header.

Milan took the lead after 51 minutes, Adriano poking a throughball into the box for Bacca, who emphatically powered in his eighth Serie A strike of the season.

The visitors were level within five minutes. De Jong, on his first start since September, clumsily brought down Greco in the box and was given his marching orders and Toni beat Donnarumma with the spot-kick.

Verona could sense a chance to seal their first three points of the season and a first win away to Milan in 26 attempts, with Federico Viviani blasting off target from a good position.

Andrea Bertolacci placed a volley just wide with seven minutes to go as Milan pressed, but neither side could find a winning goal and Mihajlovic's days may now be numbered.

 

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Moyes: The jury is still out on Ozil

David Moyes remains unconvinced by Mesut Ozil despite the Arsenal star registering yet another assist during Sunday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Ozil found Aaron Ramsey to set up the second goal at Villa Park, taking his tally to 13 assists in just 15 appearances and move seven off the Premier League record for a season which is held by Gunners legend Thierry Henry.

The German has created twice as many goals as any other player in England's top flight and is peerless across Europe but Moyes, in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, feels the World Cup winner has more to prove.

"I think the jury's still out on Mesut Ozil," the former Manchester United manager said.

Ozil has already broken a Premier League record this season with a run of seven consecutive assists between September and November and remains on course to hit over 30 at his current rate.

 

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Wenger: Alexis Sanchez could face Manchester City

Arsene Wenger has recealed that Alexis Sanchez has a chance of playing for Arsenal in their crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City next week.

Alexis has been out since the end of November with a hamstring injury sustained against Norwich, but after returning to Chile the forward is now back in London and hoping to play a part against City on December 21.

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday to move to the top of the Premier League table, and Wenger did not rule out an early return for Alexis against City - despite admitting the forward is facing a race against time.

"I think the closest to have a chance is Sanchez but medically my people think he will not be ready," Wenger said. "But Sanchez being Sanchez, you never know.

"City is a big game. We want to beat City at home. We now have eight days to recover and prepare. It will be an interesting one."

 

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Henry: Tottenham worry me!

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has confessed Tottenham's resurgence has him concerned, as he praised the work carried out by Mauricio Pochettino. While the Gunners sit top of the Premier League, their north London rivals will move within four points with victory at home to Newcastle United.

And Henry admitted that the 2015 Spurs vintage is a different prospect to when he was at their rivals. "It worries me where that club is going at the moment," he explained to Sky Sports.

"Listen, I used to look at Spurs at times and say - OK it looks like they're happy to sell their best players, get money and play safe, finish seventh or eighth. But right now, they're doing it.

"They trust their youngsters - 8 players from the academy have played for the first team this season. Not cameos, they're playing."

Henry pointed to Pochettino's attitude in a derby draw earlier in the season as proof of the transformation. I watched them at the Emirates - it was 1-1 and with 15 minutes to go and Pochettino plays Onomah. At 1-1, at the Emirates! He trusts his youngsters," he said.

"And what he is doing at the moment is great, that team is going in the right direction. They're getting a new stadium too..."Arsenal are OK at the moment, but Tottenham are going a certain way that worries me..."

 

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Ramsey confident Arsenal can win title

Aaron Ramsey is confident Arsenal can win the the Premier League title this season after beating Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday .

Arsene Wenger's side last claimed the title in 2004 but returned to the top of the table with victory at Villa Park.

The Wales midfielder, who scored his side's second goal of the game, believes they can continue winning and get their hands on the trophy come the end of the season."We believe we have an opportunity to win the title," Ramsey told Sky Sports.

"We have shown what we are capable of and have to continue now, in what is a busy part of the season."We have to maintain our focus and belief. Who knows what will happen but we believe we can challenge for trophies."

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring from the penalty spot with his 50th Premier League goal, and he was pleased with reaching the benchmark, though we wants the team to become more clinical.

"I didn't know but I'm pleased with that," he said."I don't want to stop here, I want to keep going. I try to do a good job for my team-mates. Theo [Walcott] did well on the penalty and I was chosen to take it and I put it in.

"We keep the ball well and play our game, we like to dominate the game but sometimes we need to be more incisive in the game."We need to be more dangerous because sometimes we like to keep hold of the ball too much.

"We wanted to finish the week with a win and to be top of the league. It's nice, we're having a good moment and hopefully we'll have a great game against [Manchester] City next Monday."

 

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'For f***'s sake!' - Leo Messi HITS OUT at critics

Lionel Messi has spectacularly hit out at those who have criticised his performances for Argentina and also admits he is frustrated by people who are unhappy with his decision to not sing the national anthem.

The Barcelona forward has reached two finals in the last two years with Argentina but ended up on the losing side on both occasions as Germany lifted the World Cup in 2014, while in July, Chile sealed victory in the Copa America via penalties.

"I get annoyed when they tell us put in more effort, you don't feel the shirt. We were lucky enough to get to the final of the World Cup and the Copa America and it seems like we didn't do anything. We got to two finals, for f***'s sake," he fired in an interview with TyC Sports . "We didn't win, what can you do, but we got to the final, we didn't lose in the last-16.

"Football is not just about effort. We had bad times in the national team for what we experienced. We lost the final of the World Cup against Germany who have great players and we had great chances to win it. With Chile it was the same and we lost on penalties. Messi also insists he should not face criticism for opting not to sing Argentina's national anthem before games.

"I get annoyed by the people who attack you without thinking. I won't sing the national anthem on purpose. I don't need to sing it to feel it," he explained. "It reaches me, every person feels it in their own way. The Pumas cry, they feel it differently and that's ok.

"I play with the national team always as a priority and I want to win everything I play. The Copa America is going to be great."

 

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Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle: McClaren changes stun Spurs

Newcastle United climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a last-gasp 2-1 comeback win at Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino's men seemed set to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 15 matches and climb into the top four after Eric Dier glanced home his third goal of the campaign from Christian Eriksen's 39th-minute corner.

Steve McClaren's visitors offered little as an attacking force until the 74th minute, when Aleksandar Mitrovic pounced 109 seconds after coming on as Tottenham failed to deal with a Jack Colback set-piece.

Spurs were then unsettled as Newcastle attacked them with renewed ambition and they could not hold out – Mitrovic turning creator for fellow substitute Ayoze Perez to drill a shot through Hugo Lloris from a tight angle in the third minute of stoppage time.

Newcastle are up to 15th after back-to-back wins, while Tottenham's first loss since the opening day at Manchester United leaves them in fifth and level on points with sixth-placed Crystal Palace.

Tom Carroll made a first Premier League start in midfield for Tottenham, replacing Moussa Dembele, while McClaren stuck with the Newcastle XI that beat Liverpool last time out.

Harry Kane cut in from the left flank and let fly from 20 yards to force Rob Elliot into a save low down to his left in the second minute.

Newcastle might have had an early lead through Siem de Jong but the Dutchman's goalbound shot struck his onrushing strike partner Papiss Cisse.

England midfielder Dele Alli was twice let down by his control in the area when picked out by a fine chipped pass as Tottenham made most of the running.

Cisse headed a Paul Dummett cross wide in the 33rd minute before Elliot twice saved brilliantly in quick succession to thwart Erik Lamela.

From the corner following the second save, Newcastle left Dier unmarked at the near post – Elliot coming close to further heroics but only managing to touch the well-placed header inside his far post.

Danny Rose should have doubled Tottenham's advantage two minutes from half-time but pulled wastefully wide when Eriksen's deflected strike ran invitingly into his path.

Newcastle enjoyed their clearest opening so far seven minutes into the second half when Moussa Sissoko threaded a pass beyond the Spurs defence and Cisse sent a low left-footed effort wide.

Kane called Elliot into action once more from distance and he kept his cool when a firmly hit attempt from Eriksen bobbled awkwardly.

The keeper's fine work was rewarded in the 74th minute when Fabricio Coloccini headed Colback's delivery across goal, where Chancel Mbemba's stooping effort was kept out by a tumbling Lloris, before Mitrovic prodded home the rebound.

Toby Alderweireld made a vital clearance from Sissoko's low cross with Mitrovic lurking as Newcastle chased a second major Premier League scalp in as many weeks.

McClaren reacted with anguish on the touchline to that spurned chance but he was wrapped with delight at the death as Perez capped a lively cameo in memorable style.

 

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Liverpool 2-2 West Brom: Origi rescues draw for Reds in injury time

Divock Origi scored in injury time to earn Liverpool a 2-2 draw with West Brom at Anfield on Sunday.

Jonas Olsson's 73rd-minute header looked to have sealed a famous win for the visitors after Craig Dawson had capitalised on a Simon Mignolet mistake to cancel out Jordan Henderson's opener at Anfield.

Liverpool could even have been behind at the break, only for Olsson's effort to be ruled out for offside after referee Craig Pawson had consulted with his assistant, and the hosts were rocked further by a serious injury to Dejan Lovren, which saw him taken off on a stretcher in the second half.

Tony Pulis' side defended resolutely in the closing stages but, in the sixth minute of injury time – a total of eight minutes had been added following lengthy treatment for Lovren – Origi's hopeful effort looped off a West Brom head and into the far corner.

The late drama denied the visitors what would have been only their third win in their last 26 trips to Anfield in the league.

Liverpool had West Brom under pressure from the first minute and Philippe Coutinho, back in the starting line-up, should have done much better when he rifled a shot over the crossbar from close range after the visitors failed to clear their lines.

Christian Benteke just failed to reach Coutinho's clipped cross moments later, but the home side did not have to wait much longer to break the deadlock.

Coutinho's delivery to the back post was headed down by Adam Lallana into the path of Henderson, who swept home past Boaz Myhill from six yards out.

Liverpool had been in total control, but an error from Mignolet handed West Brom an equaliser. The Belgian swiped thin air following a corner and, after Salomon Rondon headed the ball down, Dawson hooked it in through the crowded six-yard box.

West Brom thought they had snatched the lead right on half-time as Olsson turned Craig Gardner's free-kick in, but, after appeals from the Liverpool players, the officials opted – correctly, it appeared – to disallow the goal for offside.

Benteke spurned two good chances to restore the lead just after the break, heading Alberto Moreno's cross over the crossbar before rifling a half-volley narrowly wide of the near post.

West Brom began to grow into the game as Anfield became increasingly tense and went ahead 17 minutes from time. Chris Brunt's looping corner was met by the head of Olsson and this time the Sweden defender's celebrations were not to be cut short.

Liverpool were dealt another blow when Lovren had to be taken off with his leg in a brace after a heavy challenge from Gardner.

Klopp's side responded positively and Lallana spurned a glorious chance for an equaliser as he was denied by a good low stop from Myhill after Benteke's clever pass, while Rondon dragged wide at the other end.

But there was to be a late twist as Origi battled his way into space 25 yards from goal and struck a shot which took a huge deflection and looped beyond Myhill, much to the relief of Klopp.