Firmino's goal enough for Liverpool (The Associated Press)

A Roberto Firmino header in first-half stoppage time proved enough to settle a hard-fought but uneventful game at the Hawthorns, with Liverpool running out 1-0 winners over West Brom on Sunday. After West Brom's Chris Brunt had fouled Divock Origi over by the touchline, James Milner flighted an excellent free kick into the penalty area and Lucas Leiva flicked it on to Firmino, who arrived at speed to send a firm header into the back of the net. The Reds' best moment of a stodgy first half had been when the lively Philippe Coutinho intercepted Claudio Yacob's poor pass and fed Firmino, who drove into the penalty area and dragged a low shot just past the far post.