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Liverpool need the win, but West Brom won't be rolling over and handing the three points to them.

The Baggies are just about there in terms of securing their Premier League status for another season, although they would probably like another three points just to be sure, especially with games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their final five games.

They are 13th with 36 points, eight above the relegation zone and West Brom boss Tony Pulis said: "Every game that we play in now we will be the underdog and I've always enjoyed that."

Image source, Liverpool

So it has been another trophy-less season for Liverpool, with their FA Cup exit meaning Brendan Rodgers has the unwanted record of being the first Reds boss not to win a trophy inside three seasons in charge since the 1950s.

Regardless, he still believes he is the best man for the job.

"I don't think there's anyone better," he said. "That's the reality of how I see it. Three months ago I was a tactical genius, performing to a good level."

Can't fault the confidence, but no-one better? There is a certain Mr Klopp available in the summer...

Just watching TV images of the Liverpool players going through their pre-match warm-up and Raheem Sterling looked in a little pain, clutching his ankle. It took him a few minutes to get back up on his feet, but he looks to have run it off now.

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So Mario Balotelli returns to the Liverpool side for today's game.

The good news? His first two Premier League goals came against WBA at the Hawthorns in November 2010, when he was playing for Manchester City.

The bad news? He also got sent off that day.

What will today bring?

Image source, Liverpool FC

West Brom boss Tony Pulis names an unchanged side from the one that won 2-0 at Crystal Palace last-time out. That means Victor Anichebe and Saido Berahino start in attack.

Mario Balotelli starts for Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers makes three changes. Glen Johnson comes in at full-back while Jordon Ibe returns after missing the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa because he was cup-tied.

WBA XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Gardner, Fletcher, Yacob, Morrison, Berahino, Anichebe. Subs: Rose, Baird, Olsson, Gamboa, McManaman, Sessegnon, Ideye.

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Can, Ibe, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho, Balotelli. Subs: Jones, Toure, Manquillo, Lallana, Allen, Borini, Markovic.

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Considering only Arsenal have taken more points than Liverpool since Christmas Day, it is perhaps a little strange that there is an air of disappointment around the club about the way this season is ending.

As good as their domestic form has been, trophies were the target and last weekend's defeat to Aston Villa has denied them of the chance to achieve that.

"We have missed out on our goals to win a trophy, we went close but not enough, and the other one was to reach the top four," says Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. "It is going to be difficult but we have to be there and fighting."

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With a swing of Fabian Delph's boot, Liverpool's FA Cup hopes and the chance of a fairytale ending to Steven Gerrard's Reds' career were gone.

There will be no silverware, but the midfielder can still end his Anfield career on a positive note. Seven points behind Manchester City and with a game in hand, Liverpool could still finish in the top four.

Can Gerrard lead his side into the Champions League?