Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool: 3 reasons why the Reds won | Premier League 2019-20

#2 Resilient Liverpool

Jordan Henderson and Jurgen Klopp - Liverpool celebrates

It has become a very familiar sight - Liverpool defying seemingly insurmountable odds to claim victory to the consternation of naysayers and the delight of the Anfield faithful. Last season, we saw the Reds beat Lionel Messi's Barcelona in the Champions League against all odds and this season that same theme has unravelled in games Liverpool have failed to fire on all cylinders.

Against Aston Villa, although the Reds had the majority of possession and a mammoth 25 shots to their credit, they weren't at their usual best - as evidenced by the paltry 6 shots on target. However, Klopp and his charges threw the kitchen sink at Villa, and you know what they say, "fortune favours the brave". That phrase certainly rang true for Liverpool in this encounter.

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#1 A Sadio Mane masterclass

Liverpool celebrate Sadio Mane's last gasp winner

Sadio Mane has continued where he left off last season, as he has turned up time and again for the Reds this term, delivering stellar performances. Senegalese talisman is Liverpool's top scorer this season, certainly outperforming the irrepressible Mohamed Salah so far.

In this encounter, Mane was at his best once again, as he led the Liverpool charge. He had a game-high 6 shots in the encounter, and his tenacity was rewarded late on in the game as he delivered a supple assist for the equaliser and connected with Trent-Alexander Arnold's corner kick a few minutes later for the winner.