A Kolo Toure howler cost Liverpool two points as his giveaway handed Victor Anichebe the leveller for West Brom to earn them a point at the Hawthorns.
It was the first Premier League draw between the two, the last one a 0-0 in 1984, 18 league meetings since having always produced winners.
And Brendan Rodgers' men looked on course for a win after a flat half in subdued atmosphere, which saw Daniel Sturridge tap one in to put the visitors ahead.
The Reds were nowhere near their best but in command when the SAS produced a fine buildup, Philippe Coutinho putting Raheem Sterling in nicely, before the youngster ran and passed in to Luis Suarez, whose quality slot into the box left Sturridge with an easy finish for his 14th of the season.
The Baggies weren't helped when their defender Jonas Olsson had to come off injured with a hamstring and be replaced by Diego Lugano just before the break.
But Pepe Mel must have said something right during the break, because his side came out a different team, much more open, attacking and in command.
Gareth McAuley produced a brilliant save from Simon Mignolet with a strong header off a Chris Brunt corner before the skipper pulled a superb stop out of the Belgian keeper himself.
A frustrating half for the visitors was crowned by Toure's blunder, the Ivory Coast defender passing the ball back to substitute Anichebe, who made no mistake from 25 yards out, levelling the score with a right-footer across and in.
The game ended tense with end-to-end-stuff and scruffy tackles and clumsy play, unable to produce a breakthrough for either side.
The draw keeps Liverpool in fourth, but opens the gap to the top three further.
West Brom Goals: 1.: 66:25min Victor Anichebe (16).
Liverpool Goals: 1.: 23:56min Daniel Sturridge (15).
West Brom team: 1 Foster; 6 Ridgewell (booked 62nd min), 3 Olsson (14 Lugano- 41st min, booked 86th min), 23 McAuley, 28 Jones; 11 Brunt, 5 Yacob (booked 15th min), 21 Mulumbu (booked 82nd min), 22 Gera; 38 Berahino (16 Anichebe- 63rd min), 20 Vydra (17 Dorrans- 76th min). 4-4-2 Subs not used: 2 Reid, 10 Sinclair, 13 Myhill, 18 Amalfitano.
Liverpool team: 22 Mignolet; 20 Cissokho, 4 Toure, 37 Skrtel, 38 Flanagan (34 Kelly- 74th min); 14 Henderson, 8 Gerrard (booked 81st min), 10 Coutinho (24 Allen- 74th min); 15 Sturridge, 7 Suarez (booked 74th min), 31 Sterling. 4-3-3 Subs not used: 1 Jones, 6 Luis Alberto, 9 Aspas, 12 Moses, 33 Obe.
Match Stats: 1st & 2nd half: West Brom-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-5 & 8-5
On target: 0-1 & 4-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 1-2 & 2-2
Free kicks: 5-7 & 8-5
Possession: 60%-40% (17th min), 48.3%-51.7% (HT) & 50%-50% (FT)
Pass Success Rate: 74%-80.82% (HT) & 75%-76% (FT)
Referee: Kevin Friend
Man of the match: Raheem Sterling & Zoltan Gera
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