When West Bromwich Albion crashed to a 4-2 defeat against Manchester City midway through April, it seemed that their Premier League season was officially a write-off. Dead last, nine points from safety, they were destined for an instant return to the Championship.
However, three games and two victories later, the Black Country outfit are still kicking. Having grabbed a surprise 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic last time out, they are now three points shy of 17th-placed Newcastle United (albeit with a considerably inferior goal difference) heading into the final two rounds of the campaign.
But whilst Newcastle face Fulham, Middlesbrough host Aston Villa and Hull City take on Bolton Wanderers this weekend, West Brom must attempt to slay a hugely in-form Liverpool side - a task which Tony Mowbray thinks his team are well capable of.
The Baggies boss said, "They have lost two games this season, one of those was against Middlesbrough, a team who are on the same number of points as us. We can take a little bit of belief from the fact that you can catch them on a day when they are not quite at it for whatever reason."
Mowbray and his men might be in luck, as results elsewhere could see Albion up against a team that have nothing left to play for.
Liverpool are presently perched in second place, but their dreams of ending a 19-year wait for the league title could be shattered before they even set out for the Hawthorns.
With their midweek win over Wigan Athletic, Manchester United jumped out to a six-point lead atop the standings. Thus, if they manage a draw or better against Arsenal on Saturday, they will clinch a third consecutive crown, dooming their north west rivals to another trophyless season.
Nevertheless, Rafael Benitez and his troops have not given up the ghost as they prepare for their trip to the West Midlands. The gaffer revealed this week that he was targeting victory in both of the club's remaining games, regardless of whether they are still in the hunt or not, but he acknowledged that West Brom would be no pushovers.
Benitez said, "It will be difficult because when you play against a team who are battling against relegation it is hard, but it is always tough in the Premier League. They are a team who like to play football. It's a pity they are a team at the bottom of the table because they have always tried to play good football."
The stats are in Liverpool's favour, though, as they have a 100 per cent record against the Baggies in the Premier League - seven meetings, seven wins and some 22 goals in the process.
FORM GUIDE
West Bromwich Albion
May 9 West Brom 3-1 Wigan
May 2 Tottenham 1-0 West Brom
Apr 25 West Brom 3-0 Sunderland
Apr 19 Man City 4-2 West Brom
Apr 11 Portsmouth 2-2 West Brom
Liverpool
May 9 West Ham 0-3 Liverpool
May 3 Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Apr 25 Hull City 1-3 Liverpool
Apr 21 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
West Bromwich Albion
Scott Carson is hoping to reclaim his place in goal after recovering from a hand problem, but Dean Kiely's impressive efforts against Wigan could see the ex-Red benched.
Mowbray has a less friendly dilemma at left-back. Both Paul Robinson (ankle) and Marek Cech (cramp) are struggling for fitness. Centre-back Abdoulaye Meite is out with a hamstring injury.
James Morrison could also miss out. The Scotland midfielder is still suffering from a lingering heel problem.
Probable XI: Kiely; Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Cech; Koren, Valero, Greening, Brunt; Menseguez, Fortune.
Liverpool
The Merseysiders have been boosted by the news that Xabi Alonso should return in midfield, having missed last weekend's victory over West Ham United with ankle trouble.
Otherwise, few changes are expected from the team that won 3-0 at Upton Park. However, if the title race comes to an end on Saturday afternoon, Benitez may start Sami Hyypia, who will leave for Bayer Leverkusen this summer after ten years of loyal service to the Kop.
Probable XI: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies will have to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool's mighty midfield if they are to pull off their eye-pleasing passing game, and that means plenty of work for Borja Valero. The Spaniard was in fine form against Wigan last weekend, breaking up and constructing moves with equal efficiency.
Liverpool
Despite having a penalty saved, Steven Gerrard netted twice as the Reds routed West Ham last time out. Recently named the FWA Footballer of the Year, he is the man you would expect to step up and take charge.
However, three games and two victories later, the Black Country outfit are still kicking. Having grabbed a surprise 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic last time out, they are now three points shy of 17th-placed Newcastle United (albeit with a considerably inferior goal difference) heading into the final two rounds of the campaign.
But whilst Newcastle face Fulham, Middlesbrough host Aston Villa and Hull City take on Bolton Wanderers this weekend, West Brom must attempt to slay a hugely in-form Liverpool side - a task which Tony Mowbray thinks his team are well capable of.
The Baggies boss said, "They have lost two games this season, one of those was against Middlesbrough, a team who are on the same number of points as us. We can take a little bit of belief from the fact that you can catch them on a day when they are not quite at it for whatever reason."
Mowbray and his men might be in luck, as results elsewhere could see Albion up against a team that have nothing left to play for.
Liverpool are presently perched in second place, but their dreams of ending a 19-year wait for the league title could be shattered before they even set out for the Hawthorns.
With their midweek win over Wigan Athletic, Manchester United jumped out to a six-point lead atop the standings. Thus, if they manage a draw or better against Arsenal on Saturday, they will clinch a third consecutive crown, dooming their north west rivals to another trophyless season.
Nevertheless, Rafael Benitez and his troops have not given up the ghost as they prepare for their trip to the West Midlands. The gaffer revealed this week that he was targeting victory in both of the club's remaining games, regardless of whether they are still in the hunt or not, but he acknowledged that West Brom would be no pushovers.
Benitez said, "It will be difficult because when you play against a team who are battling against relegation it is hard, but it is always tough in the Premier League. They are a team who like to play football. It's a pity they are a team at the bottom of the table because they have always tried to play good football."
The stats are in Liverpool's favour, though, as they have a 100 per cent record against the Baggies in the Premier League - seven meetings, seven wins and some 22 goals in the process.
FORM GUIDE
West Bromwich Albion
May 9 West Brom 3-1 Wigan
May 2 Tottenham 1-0 West Brom
Apr 25 West Brom 3-0 Sunderland
Apr 19 Man City 4-2 West Brom
Apr 11 Portsmouth 2-2 West Brom
Liverpool
May 9 West Ham 0-3 Liverpool
May 3 Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Apr 25 Hull City 1-3 Liverpool
Apr 21 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
West Bromwich Albion
Scott Carson is hoping to reclaim his place in goal after recovering from a hand problem, but Dean Kiely's impressive efforts against Wigan could see the ex-Red benched.
Mowbray has a less friendly dilemma at left-back. Both Paul Robinson (ankle) and Marek Cech (cramp) are struggling for fitness. Centre-back Abdoulaye Meite is out with a hamstring injury.
James Morrison could also miss out. The Scotland midfielder is still suffering from a lingering heel problem.
Probable XI: Kiely; Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Cech; Koren, Valero, Greening, Brunt; Menseguez, Fortune.
Liverpool
The Merseysiders have been boosted by the news that Xabi Alonso should return in midfield, having missed last weekend's victory over West Ham United with ankle trouble.
Otherwise, few changes are expected from the team that won 3-0 at Upton Park. However, if the title race comes to an end on Saturday afternoon, Benitez may start Sami Hyypia, who will leave for Bayer Leverkusen this summer after ten years of loyal service to the Kop.
Probable XI: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies will have to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool's mighty midfield if they are to pull off their eye-pleasing passing game, and that means plenty of work for Borja Valero. The Spaniard was in fine form against Wigan last weekend, breaking up and constructing moves with equal efficiency.
Liverpool
Despite having a penalty saved, Steven Gerrard netted twice as the Reds routed West Ham last time out. Recently named the FWA Footballer of the Year, he is the man you would expect to step up and take charge.
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