A second-half error from Liverpool defender Kolo Toure gifted West Bromwich Albion a valuable point yesterday as the Reds faltered in their hunt for a top-four finish.

Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring after 24 minutes before substitute Victor Anichebe levelled three minutes after coming on when he seized on Toure's suicidal pass across the face of goal.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said: "Sometimes it's the price you pay when you try to play football. He shouldn't have received the ball in the first place.

"But that's part of our learning and I've just said to the team that we are in the position we are because over the last 18 months we've shown the courage and the bravery to play football."

Toure "is an experienced guy so he knows that it was a mistake. He's devastated because he's a really conscientious guy but there is no blame."

West Brom went into the game having completed a double over Liverpool last season for the first time since 1966-67, including a 3-0 win here.

They have struggled this season and find themselves at the wrong end of the table under new head coach Pepe Mel.

The Reds were looking to extend a run that had seen them win three of the last four and draw the other.

They looked likely to extend that after Sturridge struck midway through the first half, guiding home a measured Luis Suarez cross from close range.

But Rodgers's side couldn't break down a resolute Albion defence that had conceded four goals at Aston Villa in their last match.

And their failure to extend their lead cost them. On 67 minutes former Everton man Anichebe intercepted Toure's pass and slotted the ball past Simon Mignolet.