‘World-class’ – Warnock blown away by ‘Phenomenal’ West Brom player after 1-1 v Liverpool
Stephen Warnock was waxing lyrical about West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone after his wonderful save denied Roberto Firmino a late winner for Liverpool on Sunday.
Semi Ajayi’s second-half header earned the Baggies a superb 1-1 draw away at Anfield at the weekend as Sam Allardyce picked up his first point in charge of his new club.
It was a solid defensive display by Albion, who kept Liverpool’s chances to a minimum but Firmino’s late header could have been a goal if it wasn’t for Johnstone’s outrageous reflexes in between the sticks.
Johnstone managed to stretch his arm out to tip the Reds forward’s header around the post and out for a corner.
It was the only save Johnstone had to make all match and ex-Aston Villa left-back Warnock has paid tribute to the goalkeeper for staying alert for the entire 90 minutes.
“What you do need as well, is you need a world-class save in a game like this and you need something special from your goalkeeper going away from home,” Warnock said on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night.
“Sam Johnstone’s save is outstanding and it was right at the end of the game and it got the point for West Brom.”
Warnock added: “It’s phenomenal because he didn’t have that much to do in the game, did he? And when you’re called upon late on at Anfield and you think ‘this is a big, big chance’.
“Brilliant save.”
Johnstone stakes claim for England squad
Gareth Southgate will be keeping a close eye on English players in the coming months with the European Championships set to take place at the end of the season.
England’s goalkeepers have been underwhelming in recent years and we think that Johnstone, 27, has to be at least under consideration for Southgate ahead of the Euros.
According to stats by Wyscout, no goalkeeper has made more saves in Europe’s top-five leagues than Johnstone [71].
He also ranks third in the Premier League for prevented goals this season [4.7], behind Burnley’s Nick Pope and Newcastle’s Karl Darlow.
On that basis, they are three English goalkeepers who should be eyed by Southgate ahead of the European Championships but Jordan Pickford, Tom Heaton and Dean Henderson are also going to be on the England manager’s shortlist.
But none of them are facing as many shots at Johnstone and making as many saves.
And, as proven on Sunday at Anfield, the Albion goalkeeper can have a quiet game and still be able to produce huge moments that win teams points.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips claims Allardyce has been handed a big boost over this Albion player.
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