Liverpool were unable to turn their statistical domination into 3 precious points, or even a single goal, as late strikes from Gareth McAuley and Romelu Lukaku handed West Brom a victory that lifted them above Brendan Rogers's side in the table.
The headline team news at Anfield was the absence of Daniel Sturridge from the Liverpool line-up through injury, which saw the home side revert to the system employed by Rogers earlier in the season before the Englishman's arrival from Chelsea last month. The lack of a second striker saw Luis Suarez start alone upfront, and as such a distinct lack of penetration and efficiency in the final third saw Liverpool frustrated throughout the first half.
West Brom defended strongly throughout the opening 45 minutes, with the closest Liverpool got to the opening goal coming from a miskick from Baggies defender Steven Reid that skewed awkwardly over the cross bar from inside his own 6 yard box.
Frustration was the key word yet again for Liverpool in the second half, and despite holding 57% of the possession and having 23 shots over the course of the game the home side couldn't convert their dominance into a goal.
A clear cut chance to open the scoring finally came with little over 10 minutes remaining after Jonas Olsson was adjudged to have fouled Louis Suarez in the penalty area. It was dubious to say the least, with the Uruguayan characteristically going down seemingly very easily, but justice was done as Ben Foster made a one handed fine save from Steven Gerrard's kick.
It seemed to inspire the away side, and a beautifully bent in corner kick from Chris Brunt allowed Gareth McAuley to escape Daniel Agger and head home off the underside of the crossbar.
If that was a sucker punch, then there was still a sting in the tail to come from West Brom, as a powerful run from substitute Lukaku, again at the expense of Daniel Agger, saw him break into the box and fire past Pepe Reina.
A cauldron of boos is what greeted Liverpool at the fulltime whistle, as an encouraging run of form that had hinted at a late push for the Champions League places came to an end, and left the Reds sitting in 9th place in the Premier League table.
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