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Liverpool left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in their Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday, May 20.
The Reds entered this contest as one of the most in-form teams in the league. They won seven-straight games prior to this, scoring 20 goals in the process. Their last outing was a comfortable 3-0 win away at Leicester City as Curtis Jones (2) and Trent Alexander-Arnold rounded off the victory.
Knowing they would have to win all their remaining games to have any chance of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League, Jurgen Klopp fielded a strong lineup for this game.
Liverpool made a nervy start to the game and were slow out of the blocks in the initial exchanges as Aston Villa looked to capitalize on that. The visitors' forwards made lovely runs behind the hosts' backline as they looked to pile the pressure early on. Ibrahima Konate was the first victim, conceding a penalty with a cynical foul on Ollie Watkins.
The striker, however, was unable to convert the resultant spot-kick as the Reds' blushes were temporarily spared. Jacob Ramsey fired Aston Villa ahead with a nice finish from an acute angle in the 27th minute to make it 1-0. Despite dominating possession, Liverpool were unable to find a response in the first half as they trailed at the break.
Liverpool knew they would have to get back in the game quickly if they were to stand any chance of trying to win this game. Cody Gakpo seemed to have understood the assignment to perfection as he appeared to have leveled the game after 56 minutes. However, Virgil van Dijk was deemed to be offside in the build-up and the goal was chalked off.
Klopp then turned to his bench and made an array of changes as he looked to alter his team's approach to the closing stages of the game. Their search for a leveler was aided by the fact that Aston Villa dropped off in intensity and took slightly longer to complete their actions. It also led to them keeping hold of the ball for too long in their own half.
Substitute Roberto Firmino scored with a smart finish late in the game following an assist from Mohamed Salah to make it 1-1. Despite 10 minutes of stoppage time, neither side was able to score the winner as the game ended in a draw.
On that note, let's take a look at Liverpool's player ratings.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson - 6.5/10
Alisson had a relatively slow first half and made one save. He made another save in the second period to keep the Reds in the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/10
Alexander-Arnold had a good game on the right flank and was ever-involved in his team's attacking moves. He played two key passes, two crosses, and eight long balls. He also completed two dribbles and attempted one shot on target. He was booked for a foul midway through the second period.
Ibrahima Konate - 6.5/10
Konate made a poor start to the game and was drawn into making a poor tackle on Watkins to concede a penalty in the first half and was booked for it. He finished the game having won five of his six duels, making two clearances, two interceptions, and three tackles.
Virgil van Dijk - 7/10
Van Dijk had a decent game at the heart of Liverpool's defense as he looked to maintain order. He won six of his nine duels, making seven clearances and two interceptions.
Andrew Robertson - 6.5/10
Robertson was sharp on the left flank as he looked to push forward and attack but that allowed Aston Villa to press effectively. He played one key pass, one cross, and three long balls.
Curtis Jones - 6.5/10
Last game's hero Jones had a poor game in midfield today. He won just six duels, making one clearance, one block, and four tackles. He also attempted one shot and completed two dribbles.
Fabinho - 7/10
Fabinho looked solid in the middle of the park as he used his physicality well. He won two duels, making two tackles, two interceptions, and four clearances. He also played one key pass and two long balls. Fabinho was booked for persistent fouling late in the game.
Jordan Henderson - 6/10
Henderson had a relatively poor game in midfield and was subbed off in the second period.
Mohamed Salah - 6.5/10
Salah had a relatively quiet game until the closing stages, where he burst into life and provided an assist for his team's late leveler.
Cody Gakpo - 7/10
Gakpo was part of some of the biggest moments of the game and even appeared to have scored in the second half, but the goal was disallowed. He won 10 of his 21 duels, completed three dribbles, and played two key passes.
Luis Diaz - 6.5/10
Diaz had a decent game for Liverpool as he won seven of his 13 duels, completing one dribble and making one tackle. He attempted two shots but failed to hit the target and also played two long balls.
Substitutes
Diogo Jota - 6/10
Jota replaced Jones in the second period and played well.
Roberto Firmino - 7.5/10
Firmino came on in the second half and scored to salvage a point for Liverpool.
James Milner - 7/10
Milner replaced Henderson in the second period and put in a decent performance.
Konstantinos Tsimikas - 6.5/10
Tsimikas replaced Henderson late in the game and played well.
Harvey Elliott - 6/10
Elliott replaced Fabinho for the closing stages of the contest.
