West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points

Liverpool were pegged back by a late surge from bottom-side West Brom, who fought a two-goals deficit to level at 2-2 and force a share of the spoils.

This was supposedly a nip-and-tuck affair for the Reds, who have a big Champions League game coming up next week. And it seemed more so after Danny Ings and Mohammed Salah struck apiece to put the visitors on a two-goal cushion. Three points looked to be in the bag until Jake Livermore sneaked it through following a scramble inside the area.

It was just the spurt the Baggies needed, who then equalised two minutes from time through a Salomon Rondon header to snatch another vital point in their quest for Premier League survival.

There's a lot on the plate to discuss. But let's delve into the major talking points from the match.

#1 West Brom haven't given up on PL hopes yet

Nine points adrift of safety ahead of the kick-off, West Brom have no room for error in the remaining games if they are to retain top-flight status. And hard enough a task it may sound, but the Baggies surely aren't going down without putting up a fight.

The signs were there for all to see at the Old Trafford where they shockingly consigned Manchester United to a 0-1 defeat. Today, with another major scalp, we've been given a reassurance once again.

Trailing 2-0 until the 78th minute, the hosts turned the game on its head with a spirited show during the dying embers and successfully snatched an important point.

Quality may be damned given the nature of their strikes, especially the first one. But West Brom couldn't care any less. After all, survival is the only thing on their minds. The point today may serve their cause only by a whit, for they trail Swansea City by 8 points who have two games in hand over them. But Darren Moore's side have avowed they aren't going down without a fight.

#2 Sorry Kane, but Salah's taking the Boot!

Despite being clearly aware of the gravity of the upcoming AS Roma clash, Jurgen Klopp decided to start Mohammed Salah, and that's plausible up to a certain extent as having him in the side means a goal's guaranteed.

So it all went according to the script when the Egyptian ace bagged one late on. But even more than West Brom, one suspect who'd be more disgruntled by that goal would be Harry Kane, whose quest for a third successive Golden Boot is now all but over.

The Spurs striker has always been vocal about his ambitions of securing the individual honour, but the arrival of Salah has made life really difficult for him. And in what has already been a stellar campaign, the former Roma forward added another twinkle with a cheeky chip over Ben Foster for his 31st strike of the campaign, to go five clear of his Tottenham rival.

On current evidence, Salah is sweeping the Premier League Golden Boot without a flap.

#3 Questionable officiating frustrates Liverpool

West Brom deserve all the plaudits for the valiant fight they staged. But the point they won today may have come in dubious circumstances.

Firstly, Danny Ings was brought down inside the box in what looked like a legitimate penalty. But the match referee Stuart Attwell was quick to wave it away. Secondly, the free-kick that Rondon headed home for the equaliser was taken from the wrong spot.

Chris Brunt struck it from a few yards before the spot where Oliver Burke was fouled by Jordan Henderson. But much to our bewilderment, the referee allowed Brunt to take the resultant free-kick from the place where he did.

The circumstances may, just may, have been different had the set-piece been executed from the appropriate spot. But that's two officiating errors, both of which were instrumental in the final outcome as Liverpool otherwise, would've walked away with all the three points instead.

#4 Ings strikes, but that won't gather any moss

Liverpool outcast Danny Ings started ahead of Roberto Firmino, who was rested keeping the midweek game in mind. Just four minutes in, he justified his place with a goal as Liverpool were handed an early lead.

It was his first strike in 930 days - he last got on the scoresheet for Liverpool in October 2015 against Everton - and the ensuing joy and euphoria in his celebrations were palpable.

It hasn't been a smooth road for him since joining the Reds, having dealt with recurring injury problems and scoring issues. But despite the goal today, it's sad to put that it would do little to convince the club to keep him.

He did miss two great chances later on in the match that might eventually leave a sour taste in his mouth, but Ings has fallen so behind in the pecking order that talks of offloading him in the summer have been doing the rounds for a while. And even if he were to be retained, he wouldn't see much of the pitch either. This goal is just a passing one.

#5 Rondon's prowess may attract Premier League suitors

Even if West Brom were to be relegated eventually - which is highly likely given the fact that Swansea City, Stoke City and Southampton all have a game or two in hand over them - we might see more of Salomon Rondon regardless. The Venezuela striker is the only bright spot in his side, and his strike today took his tally to seven for the season.

Whilst that may not be an impressive figure enough, but considering he's been the highest scorer for his side in the last two seasons with similar figures - 9 and 8 - he might actually remain in the top tier, for he's after all, an intimidating figure inside the box.

Given West Brom's trivial standards, he appears too big for his britches and also considering that he thrives on services, Rondon may eventually find suitors.

Teams like Huddersfield and Crystal Palace, who are all but safe, have struggled with scoring issues this term. Someone like Rondon can be a palliative to the issue. Although there isn't talk of a move whatsoever, it may eventually spring up in the summer.

Remember Charlie Austin returning to the Premier League the season following Queens Park Rangers were relegated?