Liverpool maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as they survived an early scare to come from behind and win at Aston Villa.
Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a shock after only three minutes when Douglas Luiz bundled home after Liverpool keeper Alisson failed to hold his header.
Liverpool were on terms within three minutes when Joel Matip scored following a goalmouth scramble and the sides then exchanged chances before Sadio Mane put the visitors ahead with a superb angled header from Luis Diaz’s cross in the 65th minute.
The win means Liverpool now lie second only on goal difference before City’s visit to Wolves on Wednesday.
Former Liverpool striker Danny Ings wasted opportunities to equalise and inflict a blow to his old club’s hopes of winning a historic quadruple – although the Reds did suffer an injury setback when influential midfielder Fabinho went off in the first half with a hamstring problem that must make him doubtful for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Liverpool pass stern Villa test
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made five changes from the side that drew with Spurs at Anfield on Saturday, resting tired legs and freshening things up with Saturday’s Wembley showpiece in mind.
It was a ploy that worked in the end, although Liverpool were set back on their heels when they were punished for a slow start as Villa went ahead.
Liverpool showed their character and the threat they carry to reply instantly and, while this was not a particularly assured performance, the only thing that matters at this stage is the final result, and this was a case of job done.
The injury to Fabinho will be a serious worry to Klopp with FA Cup and Champions League finals on the horizon but he will hope the Brazilian’s swift removal in the first half will limit the damage.
Once again January signing Diaz was a key figure, a danger all night and the provider of the cross that brought Mane’s decisive header. The Colombian’s signing has proved to be a masterstroke.
Now the scenery switches to Molineux on Wednesday, where leaders City face Wolves, who still have European aspirations of their own.
Pep Guardiola’s side still have that advantage on goal difference but Liverpool’s win at least ensures they stay right on Manchester City’s shoulders as the season reaches its climax.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Aston Villa
Starting XI
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Squad number1Player nameMartínezAverage rating4.94
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Squad number2Player nameCashAverage rating
4.91
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Squad number4Player nameKonsaAverage rating
4.57
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Squad number5Player nameMingsAverage rating
4.36
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Squad number27Player nameDigneAverage rating
4.54
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Squad number6Player nameDouglas LuizAverage rating
4.74
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Squad number19Player nameNakambaAverage rating
4.46
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Squad number23Player namePhilippe CoutinhoAverage rating
4.77
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Squad number7Player nameMcGinnAverage rating
4.77
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Squad number11Player nameWatkinsAverage rating
4.85
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Squad number20Player nameIngsAverage rating4.74
Substitutes
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Squad number10Player nameBuendíaAverage rating
5.04
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Squad number15Player nameTraoréAverage rating
4.95
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Squad number33Player nameChukwuemekaAverage rating
4.84
Liverpool
Starting XI
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Squad number1Player nameAlissonAverage rating
7.65
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Squad number66Player nameAlexander-ArnoldAverage rating7.36
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Squad number32Player nameMatipAverage rating7.76
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Squad number4Player namevan DijkAverage rating7.82
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Squad number21Player nameTsimikasAverage rating
7.48
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Squad number8Player nameKeïtaAverage rating
7.07
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Squad number3Player nameFabinhoAverage rating
6.90
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Squad number17Player nameJonesAverage rating
7.13
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Squad number23Player nameDíazAverage rating
7.93
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Squad number10Player nameManéAverage rating7.89
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Squad number20Player nameDiogo JotaAverage rating
7.35
Substitutes
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Squad number6Player nameThiago AlcántaraAverage rating
7.17
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Squad number11Player nameMohamed SalahAverage rating6.66
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Squad number14Player nameHendersonAverage rating7.51
Line-ups
Aston Villa
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 1Martínez
- 2Cash
- 4Konsa
- 5Mings
- 27Digne
- 6Douglas Luiz
- 19NakambaSubstituted forChukwuemekaat 62′minutes
- 23CoutinhoSubstituted forBuendíaat 70′minutes
- 7McGinn
- 11WatkinsSubstituted forTraoréat 81′minutes
- 20Ings
Substitutes
- 8Sanson
- 10Buendía
- 15Traoré
- 16Chambers
- 18Young
- 25Olsen
- 33Chukwuemeka
- 45Chrisene
- 47Iroegbunam
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Alisson
- 66Alexander-Arnold
- 32Matip
- 4van Dijk
- 21Tsimikas
- 8Keïta
- 3FabinhoSubstituted forHendersonat 30′minutes
- 17JonesSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 62′minutes
- 23DíazSubstituted forSalahat 72′minutes
- 10Mané
- 20Jota
Substitutes
- 5Konaté
- 6Thiago Alcántara
- 7Milner
- 9Firmino
- 11Salah
- 12Gomez
- 14Henderson
- 27Origi
- 62Kelleher
- Referee:
- Jonathan Moss
- Attendance:
- 41,919
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 2.
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Second Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 2.
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Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
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Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Douglas Luiz with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
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Attempt missed. Matthew Cash (Aston Villa) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Emiliano Buendía.
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Foul by Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
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Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Sadio Mané (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa).
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Offside, Aston Villa. Emiliano Buendía tries a through ball, but Danny Ings is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Danny Ings (Aston Villa) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Matthew Cash.
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Attempt missed. Naby Keïta (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Matthew Cash.
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Substitution, Aston Villa. Bertrand Traoré replaces Ollie Watkins.
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Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
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Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Thiago (Liverpool).
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Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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