Baros begs for inclusion as Owen fails to restore faith

Liverpool 2 West Bromwich Albion

If Gérard Houllier is unduly concerned about Michael Owen's lack of goals, he is doing a good job of disguising it, helped no end by the way that a new addition to his striking options is covering for Owen's temporary loss of potency.

Owen had one of those games in which he did everything tolerably well and certainly with no lack of enthusiasm, apart from what he is there for – sticking the ball in the net. Not even a penalty, won when Russell Hoult dragged him down at the expense of a red card after a horrible defensive mistake by Darren Moore sent the striker through for what would surely have been his first goal in open play since May, could get Owen flowing.

His tepid effort from the spot was the sign of a man at a low watermark of confidence. Fortunately, his drought comes as a player who knows far less about the ups and downs of marksmanship in the Premiership is papering over the cracks.

The 20-year-old Milan Baros is, according to Houllier, "a gem for the future". But, having scored twice at Bolton last weekend and kick-starting Liverpool on Saturday, the Czech is proving pretty useful in the here and now.

Against West Brom, Houllier also used another of his young signings, Bruno Cheyrou, in a floating role behind the front two. It was a system that produced a number of chances, even though Liverpool took time to convert them.

Although he saw his side given a football lesson in Valencia, Houllier can reflect on highly satisfactory progress in the Premiership. Despite a tendency to fritter away leads, Liverpool remain unbeaten and 15 points from seven games represent their best start under the Frenchman's stewardship.

There were signs again that West Brom will catch out a few sides this season. Until Hoult's sending-off, they were holding their shape and looked dangerous on the break. "We've not got to come to places like this as cannon fodder," said their manager, Gary Megson. "I don't think we were, but we beat ourselves with a couple of mistakes."

The second of those, when Neil Clement gave the ball away to Steven Gerrard in injury time, presented Liverpool their second goal.

But for some excellent saves from Hoult and his replacement, Joe Murphy, it could all have been sewn up long before that, but the question now for Houllier is who will have the goal-scoring responsibility against Basle on Wednesday.

Baros demands inclusion; as for Owen, Houllier insists that his problems "will be overcome by his mental strength".

Goals: Baros (55) 1-0. Riise (92) 2-0.

Liverpool (4-3-1-2): Dudek 6; Carragher 5, Henchoz 6, Hyypia 6, Riise 6; D Murphy 7, Hamann 6, Gerrard 7; Cheyrou 6 (Diao, 87); Owen 5, Baros 6 (Heskey, 74 5). Substitutes not used: Kirkland (gk), Diouf, Traore.

West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Hoult 7; Sigurdsson 6, Moore 5, Gilchrist 5; Balis 6 (Marshall, 81), Koumas 5 (Dichio, 46 4), Gregan 7, Johnson 6; Dobie 5 (J Murphy, 35 6), Roberts 7. Substitutes not used: Wallwork,

Chambers.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow) 6.

Sent off: Hoult.

Bookings: Liverpool: D Murphy, Heskey; West Bromwich: Gregan.

Man of the Match: Gerrard.

Attendance: 43,830.