The top-four is fast moving away from the reach of Liverpool as they dropped important points against Aston Villa.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Aston Villa starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey; Bailey, Watkins.
The Reds were largely dominant for most parts of the game but Unai Emery’s Aston Villa were dogged and resilient.
Liverpool took until the dying embers of the encounter with Aston Villa before they got their equalizer.
The Villans almost went into the lead in the 20th minute when Konate fouled Olive Watkins in the box.
Ibrahima Konate was shown a yellow card for his challenge in the 18-yard box on the Aston Villa attacker.
Olive Watkins stepped up and missed the penalty opportunity handed to Aston Villa, his strike was wide off the right post.
Seven minutes later, Jacob Ramsey took the away side in front following a cross delivered into the area by Douglas Luiz.
Ramsey powered a diving header beyond Allison Becker in goal for Liverpool and the away side looked like they were about to pour sour grapes into the mouth of the Liverpool fans.
Liverpool’s best chance of the first 45 minutes was seen by Luis Diaz but the Brazilian couldn’t keep his header down as he sent it wide to the right, not testing Martinez in goal for Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s side almost went down to 10 men as Tyrone Mings kicked high for a loose ball and he caught Cody Gakpo in the chest area.
Players of Liverpool protested that the referee’s decision to award a yellow card to Mings should be changed to a red.
However, after due consultation with the video assistant referee, the referee stuck to his decision.
5 additional minutes was added to the first half and Aston Villa still managed to stay in front up till the interval.
Jurgen Klopp’s men started with much intensity in the second half as they went in search of an equalizer in the encounter.
In the 55th minute, Cody Gakpo got the ball into the back of the net for Liverpool but his celebrations were short-lived as the VAR chalked off the goal due to an offside.
Van Dijk was adjudged to have been offside and he interfered with play in the build up to the goal.
Emiliano Martinez was brandished a yellow card in the 77th minute as Aston Villa tried several antics to reduce the tempo in the game.
Liverpool got their equalizer at the tail end of the encounter in the 89th minute.
Roberto Firmino who would be exiting the Merseyside after the expiration of the season brought his side level.
10 minutes was added in the encounter and in the first minute of additional time, Ashley Young was shown a yellow card.
Ezri Konsa was also shown a yellow card in the 96th minute as Aston Villa tried everything they could to frustrate Liverpool from going ahead in the game.
Based off that win, Liverpool sit 5th, three points away from 4th placed Manchester United and their chase for the top-four is seemingly going away from that reach.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa who have been impressive this campaign sit 7th and in a spot for European football next campaign.
