Mulumbu delighted with win over Liverpool

16 February 2013 08:09

West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu was delighted with the 'great style' of their win over Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.

The 2-0 win completed a league double for West Brom over Brendan Rodgers' men, and ended a barren run of no wins in six games for Steve Clarke's team.

Mulumbu feels the win was the result of a great team performance, and has helped arrest a worrying slide after West Brom's stunning pre-Christmas form saw them into fourth position after the first 12 games.

"Before the game we were in a bad position so it was really important for us to finish this game to end a bad run," he told the club's website.

"We did it in great style.

"It was a good performance from all the team and the result was great for us because now we can focus and prepare for Sunderland at home, which is a great opportunity for us to keep climbing up this league."

The 26-year-old insists he has recovered from a knee injury he sustained prior to linking up with his Democratic Republic of Congo team-mates for the Africa Cup of Nations.

"It was great to be back on the pitch and my knee is totally fine now," Mulumbu said.

"I am glad to be back and winning again because that shows me I am important for the team, and I hope it will keep going for this team.

"I hope I am the lucky mascot and we will keep playing like this every week."

Foster: West Brom win can spark revival

12 February 2013 06:18

Ben Foster hailed West Brom's 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Monday as a turning point for their season.

Downing out to maintain good form

11 February 2013 08:41

Stewart Downing says that as long as he continues his current form, it will be hard for Brendan Rodgers to leave him out of the Liverpool side.

Downing has attracted much criticism for his performances since making a 20 million pound move from Aston Villa to Anfield in the summer of 2011, with youngster Raheem Sterling and then nominal full-back Jose Enrique chosen ahead of him in the wider midfield roles this season.

However, a recent up-turn in form has seen the 28-year-old win back his place in the starting XI, with the winger stating he has used Rodgers' public criticism of him earlier this season as motivation to improve, particularly with the Reds strengthening once again in January.

"When the manager gave me a change again, it was probably the last one I was going to get as he was looking at bringing players in," Downing admitted to reporters.

"If I keep playing well, he can't leave me out. That's how I see it at the minute. Every time I play is a chance to prove him wrong. But if you don't perform, he will be disappointed and you won't play."

Rodgers did add Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to his squad and Downing revealed that the possibility of further signings in the summer is spurring him on.

"If he does strengthen again in the summer, it will be good for the team. But every game I play, I have to do well as I know he is going to strengthen," he said.

Clarke not surprised by Liverpool form

11 February 2013 04:16

West Brom manager Steve Clarke believes Liverpool are 'playing the best football in the Premier League' ahead of their clash on Monday.

The former Liverpool coach takes West Brom to Anfield - a ground where they triumphed 1-0 last season - in the hope of leapfrogging the Reds into eighth place.

And Clarke, who worked under Kenny Dalglish when Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique were recruited, believes every Liverpool player is starting to show their true talent.

"I'm not surprised now that some of the younger players are starting to flourish (at Liverpool), or some of the more experienced ones that Kenny signed. It can take a period of time for people to settle into a club the size of Liverpool," he said.

"For Stewart Downing to be in the team and Jordan Henderson, as well as Jose Enrique, and doing really well, is good. Luis Suarez has really settled into the club now and, if you look at it at this stage, Liverpool are probably playing the best football in the Premier League.''

And Clarke also praised the influence of Dalglish's successor at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers, for his tactical nous and positive impact on the current squad.

"I don't think there's anybody in football now who thinks you just turn up at a club and create a good team just because they're a great, historical club," added Clarke.

"You have to work at it. Every club in the league has to work hard to try to put a good team on the pitch and you have to work as hard as you can with your players.

"Brendan went in there with a different philosophy to Kenny but Liverpool have always tried to play good football. Brendan has slightly different ideas that maybe took a little bit of time to get across.

"But you can see now that the team is starting to gel and maybe starting to play the way Brendan wants them to play.

"They had a difficult start but they have picked up and are doing really well and it's going to be a tough night for us. But hopefully West Brom can get the same result as they did last year at Anfield."