Liverpool had been held to a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa because the Premier League leaders dropped factors to provide Arsenal hope within the title race.
Substitute Darwin Nunez had an amazing probability to attain a late winner however blazed over as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s second-half deflected strike earned Liverpool some extent to stretch their benefit to eight factors having performed a sport greater than Arsenal.
“There is one person in the dressing room that feels quite down. I think you know who it is,” Arne Slot advised TNT Sports activities after the sport, showing to check with Nunez.
Emi Martinez produced a goal-saving deal with after a Tyrone Mings mistake late within the sport
Ollie Watkins headed Villa into the lead simply earlier than half-time as they got here from behind after gifting Mohamed Salah the opener, however the guests had been solely forward for 9 minutes earlier than Youri Tielemans equalised.
Liverpool now face large video games at Manchester Metropolis, stay on Sky Sports activities this Sunday, and Newcastle within the Premier League because the title race hots up, with Arsenal figuring out they’ll shut the hole to 5 factors.
Aston Villa stay in ninth, 4 factors away from fifth, which because it stands could be sufficient to safe Champions League soccer, after pushing the leaders all the way in which regardless of a number of defensive accidents.
Ollie Watkins celebrates his purpose in opposition to Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold was hooked quickly after his equaliser and appeared sad with Slot’s resolution to switch him with Conor Bradley, who was then compelled off with an damage 23 minutes after approaching.
Villa fought again impressively after a troublesome opening interval as Marcus Rashford shone on his first begin for the hosts. The Manchester United loanee had a curling effort cleared off the road and received the free-kick that led to Tielemans’ equaliser.
Youri Tielemans celebrates his equaliser
Diogo Jota missed a wonderful probability to revive Liverpool’s lead immediately after Villa levelled, however fully miscued his strike when by means of on purpose in opposition to Emi Martinez.
Andres Garcia, signed by Villa within the winter switch window, was at fault for Liverpool’s opener as he handed the ball to Jota, who squared for Salah to attain his twenty fourth league purpose of the season. The purpose had been coming with Villa sloppy of their build-up play.
“We are taking some risk and avoiding it a lot of the time,” Villa boss Unai Emery mentioned after the sport to TNT Sports activities. “Today they scored but we are not changing and will work to improve.”
Mo Salah celebrates his opener at Aston Villa
Villa substitute Donyell Malen got here near ending Liverpool’s unbeaten away league file in stoppage time as he flashed a shot broad of the publish, however each side needed to accept some extent, which felt honest on the steadiness of play.
Whether or not Liverpool stay to remorse their spurned possibilities stays to be seen. They’ve misplaced as soon as within the league this season and are being chased by an Arsenal staff with out a striker. If they’ll journey out the storm of their subsequent two video games, their rivals’ hope will seemingly have pale.
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‘Title race nearly continues’ – Sky Sports activities’ Vinny O’Connor and Adam Bate analyse Aston Villa’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool
Slot not proud of the purpose
Liverpool boss Arne Slot talking to TNT Sports activities:
“Not so happy, to be honest. We created far more chances than them and created chances to win. But we also conceded from a set-piece.
“If you’re 1-0 down it’s removed from straightforward. Their second probability was a purpose, was a cross, however they could have received it within the ultimate moments however once you put all the probabilities collectively, I’m not proud of the 2-2.
“It matters where we are in the league table but the pressure is always on if you are Liverpool. We have all the ingredients to achieve success this season.
“You must play the sport because it unfolds and a few video games play lengthy ball and others need to convey it out from the again. They will come again however in case you take a look at the probabilities we needed to win the sport, you may perceive that there’s one particular person within the dressing room that feels fairly down. I believe you recognize who it’s.”
Emery on mistakes: We are not changing
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports:
“You must wait your second to assault and get possibilities like we had. We did. We had been kind of competing effectively and we got here again within the first half.
“When you are winning like that, it’s Liverpool and they can score like they did. We came close to scoring in the final minute. We had more options to win in the final 20 minutes.”
Requested concerning the error for Liverpool’s opener, he added: “I see everything and I am trying to get the best. We are taking some risk and avoiding it a lot of the time. Today they scored but we are not changing and will work to improve.”
Van Dijk: We must always have received
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk talking to TNT Sports activities:
“A bit disappointed but we fight. We had chances to win the game, took a bit of a risk at the end so it got more open at times. We take a point and move on and focus on a big one at the weekend, again.
“In possession we did fairly effectively, created good alternatives to attain the second. Disappointing to concede from a set-piece. We tried every little thing and sadly it wasn’t sufficient for 3 factors.
“We should have scored 3-2, but credit to Aston Villa, they made it very difficult.
“We’ve a really robust one on the weekend once more, then we play Newcastle, our focus now will likely be on Man Metropolis, a really troublesome sport, we all know that.
“Do everything in your power to win games, the focus will be that on Sunday again.”
