Daniel Agger plans to contest his Hawthorns red card and try to ensure he's available when Liverpool aim for..

Daniel Agger plans to contest his Hawthorns red card and try to ensure he's available when Liverpool aim for redemption following their worst opening-day result for three-quarters of a century.

EmpicsDaniel Agger heads to the dressing room after seeing red

Agger insists he was hard done by when sent off early in the second half of the 3-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion. Asked whether he would contest referee Phil Dowd's reaction to a high-speed chase into the area with Shane Long, Agger said: "Of course. Referees are only human. They make mistakes as well.

"I was unlucky to be involved in one of the mistakes. It's frustrating but that's part of the game. I've seen it again and again on the television and there is no contact. But the referee has made the decision and we can't change it."

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has turned up the heat before his Hawthorns debut on Saturday

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has turned up the heat before his Hawthorns debut on Saturday by insisting that visitors Liverpool have to make themselves top-four contenders.

PA PhotosSteve Clarke and Kenny Dalglish left Liverpool following the disappointing 2011-12 campaign

Clarke, who had worked alongside Kenny Dalglish at Anfield, was surprised to hear that the Reds' American owners have not demanded a Champions League placing.

"They have said top four is not imperative for the current campaign," he said. "I don't believe that. A club like Liverpool have to be challenging for the top four. I don't think the club or the fans can expect anything less."

Clarke claims he and Dalglish were well on target to deliver on that target had they stayed in situ on Merseyside.