Steve Clarke has admitted that Ben Foster's mistake was crucial in West Bromwich Albion's defeat to Liverpool.

The former England international was at fault for the Reds' first goal as the away side came from behind to beat the Baggies 2-1 at The Hawthorns.

While Clarke admits that the Merseysiders were the better team, he feels that Foster's mistake had a big part to play.

"We said we'd have a go, we certainly started that way. I think their first goal knocked the stuffing out of us a bit," said Clarke. "I don't know why, maybe because it was such a soft goal to lose, it knocked us back a bit in the first half.

"It is unusual for Ben. I don't think it's even worth having an in depth discussion about it. It is not like Ben, it doesn't happen very often and we move on.

"After 1-1 they were better, they passed it better, we sat off them too much. The second half was much better, we got about them, we pressed, made a game of it, and the second half could have gone either way."

Albion face Aston Villa on Sunday.