Liverpool's miracle! A goalkeeper scores in stoppage time to keep Champions League hopes alive

What an ending to a match! It is rare to see a goalkeeper score but for one to score in such an important game in closing seconds - it happens almost never. Brazilian Alisson Becker converted the last chance Liverpool had against WBA away to bring them a hair close to Champions League next season. Final score 1-2.

West Bromwich Albion played for mere pride after their relegation was confirmed by a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on May 9th. Liverpool’s victory at Old Trafford last Thursday evening saw their odds of a top-four finish slashed drastically.

Sam Allardyce's team opened up the match with no fear. They confronted last year's champions from the get-go and took the lead at the quarter-hour-mark.

Before the goal, Turk Okay Yokuslu had an opportunity when his header went to the right of the target.

Just a few minutes later it was one-nil. A superb goal from great team play. Hal Robson-Kanu caught a perfect pass and fired an excellent low shot inside the left post. There was nothing Becker could do about it.

Another contribution from Matheus Pereira - he has either scored or assisted 16 of West Brom's 33 Premier League goals this season (48.5%). Only Harry Kane for Tottenham (55.6%) has been directly involved in a higher ratio for his side

Liverpool were in desperate need of all three points - the conceded goal woke them up. In the 25th minute, Sadio Mane met a cross in the box and found some space for a shot. He produced an inaccurate effort that went wide of the right post.

What the Senegalese failed to do then, Egyptian did eight minutes later. Mohamed Salah 'tried his luck' with a low first-time shot from mid range. Salah showed great skill as the ball glanced off the left-hand post and behind the surprised Sam Johnstone.

Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have combined for a goal for the 22nd time for Liverpool in all competitions. Only Salah and Roberto Firmino (28) have assisted one another for more for the Reds under Jürgen Klopp.

Just 200 seconds later Firmino hit a rocket of a shot at goal that clipped the outside of the left post.

Liverpool pressed strong and created a chance after chance until Michael Dean gave the halftime whistle.

Second half passed in total dominance of Liverpool, ball-possession-wise. But even so, the Reds lacked chances to be converted. At least until the closing 10 minutes.

In the 50th minute, Mane had his goal disallowed due to offside. Same happened for the home team in the 71st minute.

Firmino had a great chance in the 74th minute but his low shot only touched the net from the outside.

Home team almost took the lead again in the 78th minute when Robson-Kanu headed the ball low towards the middle of the goal, but Alisson showed off his skills and made a brilliant save to deny him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Georginio Wijnaldum all had great opportunities in the closing minutes but their attempts were just not accurate enough.

And then - a miracle at the Hawthorns. Last seconds of the game, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson ran into the opposite box for a corner kick. He displayed his eye for goal as he coolly planted a header from close range into the right side of the goal.

In Liverpool's entire club history since they were founded in 1892, Alisson is the first goalkeeper ever to score a competitive goal for the club.

Now, Liverpool are just one point away from 4th placed Chelsea. London Blues have their match against Leicester City who are third and Liverpool will be thrilled if a draw comes out of that match.

©AFP

PREMIER LEAGUE - Round 36

Tuesday

Manchester United - Leicester City 1-2 (1-1)

/Greenwood 15 - Thomas 10, Soyuncu 66/

Wednesday

Chelsea - Arsenal 0-1 (0-1)

/Smith Rowe 16/

Friday

Newcastle United - Manchester City 3-4 (2-2)

/Krafth 25, Joelington 45+6, Willock 62 - Cancelo 39, Torres 42, 64, 66/

Saturday

Burnley - Leeds United 0-4 (0-1)

/Klich 44', Harrison 59', Rodrigo 77', 79'/

Southampton - Fulham 3-1 (1-0)

/Adams 27, Tella 60', Walcott 82' - Carvalho 75'/

Brighton - West Ham United 1-1 (0-0)

/Welbeck 84' - Benrahma 87'/

Sunday

Crystal Palace - Aston Villa 3-2 (1-2)

/Benteke 32', Zaha 75', Mitchell 84' - McGinn 17', El-Ghazi 34'/

Tottenham Hotspur - Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 (1-0)

/Kane 45', Hojbjerg 62'/

West Bromwich Albion - Liverpool 1-2 (1-1)

/Robson-Kanu 15' - Salah 33', Alisson 90+5'/

21.00: Everton - Sheffield United