By Jemma Tappenden
December 6 2008

After suffering at the hands of one ex Wolves man against Blackburn, Albion were hoping that another in the form of Robbie Keane, would not punish them this afternoon. Filipe Teixeira made a return to the bench after months on the sidelines, the exact same starting point that Liverpool ace Fernando Torres found himself in.

Despite the disappointment of last weekend, Albion settled into the game quickly.  The inform Ishmael Miller sprung an early offside trap to issue a stark warning to the reds that Albion may be down, but by no means out.  But Pepe Reina was first to Valero's long punt up field.

Liverpool didn't record an effort on goal until the 10th minute, a low 25 yard effort from Steven Gerrard which failed to trouble Carson in goal.  Three minutes later Robbie Keane was unmarked in the area, but fired his effort straight at Carson.

Albion were not scared to have a go, and Koren played a nice ball into the path of Valero, who was beaten to the final ball by Carragher to prevent Albion's record signing getting a shot on goal.

In the 24th minute Keane played in Aurelio down the left, who pulled back for Dirk Kuyt.  Luckily for the Baggies Olsson made a full stretch clearance to prevent any danger.  But three minutes later Liverpool were threatening again, this time Steven Gerrard teeing up Benayoun, whose shot was half blocked by Carson before unwittingly hitting Olsson's arm and going out of play for a corner.

In the 34th minute Albion gifted the reds possession just inside their own half.  Fast moving Gerrard played a perfect ball for Keane, who kept his cool to slot past Carson and record his first Premiership goal for Liverpool since moving to Anfield in the summer.

Albion continued to search, and Miller skipped past Aurelio with ease to pace down the field and get a low hard shot in which Reina spilled, almost into his own net, but was relieved to see the ball cleared for a corner.  But the resulting flag kick led to a goal for Liverpool instead, as a quick clearance allowed Aurelio to slide the ball into Robbie Keane who charged up field and rounded Carson to slot into an empty net.  The ex Wolves man had doubled his Premiership goal tally in just 9 minutes.

Half Time: Liverpool 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Albion started the second half bright and determined. In the 52nd minute Zuiverloon found Koren on the edge of the area, but the midfield man could only find the arms of Reina in the Reds goal.  Two minutes later Koren was in the action again, this time doing well to avoid Gerrard and getting away a 20 yard effort which was wide.

To a warm applause Teixeira made his long awaited return in the 56th minute, replacing Kim as Moore also replaced Bednar.  Just two minutes later the Baggies had their best chance of the game as a diagonal ball from Olsson was misjudged by Agger allowing Miller to go clear.  But the inform striker was let down by his first touch, allowing Reina to gather the ball first.

Donk got the better of Keane in a one-on-one in the 62nd minute, the defender doing well to guide the ball back to the safety of Carson.  Moments later Miller was just inches away from Robinson's left wing cross as Agger got there first to divert the danger.

In the 71st minute a third change by Mowbray saw Brunt replace Miller.  Brunt's first touch was a 25 yard free kick which swerved just wide to hit the side netting.  Sixty seconds later Torres made an appearance for the Reds, replacing Robbie Keane and removing any danger of the Irish terrier getting a hatrick.

The game was filtering out as Albion lost possession in their own half, and it was Arbeloa who raced onto Kuyt's cross to bury the ball past Carson to inflict yet more pain on a travelling Albion side.

Full Time: Liverpool 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Keane (34 & 43)

Arbeloa (93)

Attendance: 43,451