Premier League: West Bromwich Albion 0 Liverpool 2

First-half goals from Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll set up a 2-0 victory for Liverpool at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Kenny Dalglish’s men made the most of their opportunities to punish the hosts at the Hawthorns, with Adam converting a fortunate penalty and Carroll tapping home under on-rushing ‘keeper Ben Foster.

The Reds’ win boosts them to fifth place and leaves them just a point behind fourth-placed Newcastle United.

Steven Gerrard missed out for the visitors with an ankle infection, with Jordan Henderson joining Adam, Lucas Leiva and Stewart Downing in midfield.

Luis Suarez was passed as fit to play and partnered Carroll up front, while Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel were paired at centre-back in the absence of Jamie Carragher.

Somen Tchoyi replaced Shane Long, who will spend six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury, for the Baggies.

Tchoyi supported Peter Odemwingie in attack, with no other changes made to the side that beat Aston Villa last weekend.

Suarez has come under the microscope for his perceived tendency to go to ground easily in and around the edge of the area but there seemed to be clear enough contact when he was fouled to earn the penalty that Adam dispatched on nine minutes.

The West Brom support was less than impressed with the decision, however, as referee Lee Mason had let play continue until his linesman belatedly flagged for the penalty.

Despite their dominance on the ball, Liverpool were not carving out too many chances. Suarez did pass up one golden opportunity when Skrtel directed a corner back across the six-yard box only for the Uruguayan to lift a left-footed shot over the crossbar.

The home side finally began to show some signs of life as the half drew to a close. Tchoyi found some space down the right-hand side and curled a low pass across the face of goal that just evaded Odemwingie. Thomas managed to recycle the ball and maintain the Albion pressure only for Chris Brunt to cross wildly into the stands.

If anyone was going to provide a spark for West Brom, it looked like it would be Tchoyi, and his chipped pass allowed Thomas to cut a pass across goal, but Pepe Reina was able to intercept.

Just as they were beginning to have more of a say, disaster struck for West Brom and Liverpool doubled their lead.

With Gareth McAuley still forward following a set-piece, Olsson carelessly gave the ball away to Lucas. He released Suarez and Carroll took advantage of the space vacated by the Northern Irish defender, poking the ball past Foster when through on goal.

West Brom finished the game with some pressure in and around the Liverpool area but their lack of penetration without the injured Long showed, as Downing’s strike against the post late on was the only chance in the final minutes of an encounter the Reds saw out comfortably.