Firmino fires Liverpool back to third in Premier League

Roberto Firmino fired Liverpool to a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday that moved Juergen Klopp’s men back into third place in the English Premier League.

Firmino settled a scrappy game with a close-range header in first-half stoppage time to condemn Albion boss Tony Pulis to his first ever home league defeat against the Reds.

The Brazilian converted a flick-on from Lucas Leiva to seal a fifth win in their last seven games for Liverpool.

They are unbeaten since losing at Leicester in late February and now lead fourth-placed Manchester City by two points, although Pep Guardiola’s team have a game in hand in the race for an automatic spot in the Champions League group stage.

A rare chance for Pulis’ side came with 12 minutes remaining as Jake Livermore dragged a shot well wide of Simon Mignolet’s goal.

But two minutes later they should have been level after Liverpool gifted possession to Salomon Rondon, who moved towards goal before feeding Matt Phillips.