The confusion was so overwhelming, with fans jeering and wondering what on earth was going on, that it all became too much for the poor sap controlling Anfield’s scoreboard.
Craig Dawson appeared to have headed West Bromwich 3-1 in front in the 20th minute.
Referee Craig Pawson went to the video referee for the first time to check the goal’s legality, taking a breath with hand to earpiece as Andre Marriner pored over the evidence in a London studio.
Two minutes elapsed before the goal was correctly ruled out and, in the meantime, up flashed Liverpool 2 West Brom 2 on the electronic screens.