Liverpool have broken a streak of eight straight games without a win at Anfield, the last six of which ended in losses after a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Merseyside dominated, but were behind in the 43rd minute, when Ollie Watkins scored once again against Liverpool. Roberto Firmino’s goal was disallowed due to a close offside by Jota, but nevertheless Jurgen Klopp’s team showed character and reached a complete turnaround after goals from Mohamed Salah (57 ‘) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (91’). With this success, Liverpool entered the top 5. In addition, the Merseysiders took a slight revenge from Aston Villa for the shameful 2-7 loss in October.
Jurgen Klopp had made two changes compared to the team that started in the loss to Real Madrid this week. Sadio Mane, who was celebrating his birthday, and Nabi Keita sat on the bench for the start. They were replaced by Roberto Firmino from James Milner, who wore the captain’s armband.
Liverpool had the advantage in the first half, but that did not mean that Aston Villa was bad at Anfield. In the fifth minute Salah got to the left and shot to the near post, but Martinez saved. Shortly afterwards, the hosts demanded penalty after a shot by Jota hit Watkins’ elbow, but the striker’s hands were in a natural position and no signal followed. In the 13th minute the champions missed a clear goal chance. Mings played poorly and failed to intercept a long pass to Salah. This allowed the Egyptian to find himself alone against Martinez, who moved well and shortened the corner. Salah shot diagonally, but the ball went wide. Liverpool continued to attack, but Villa was defending well in his half. Jota intercepted a cross from Robertson from a corner, but sent the ball over the bar.
This led to the 43rd minute, when the guests opened the scoresheet. In one of its rare attacks, McGinn found Watkins in front of the penalty area, after which the striker found space for a good shot. The shot was within Alison’s reach, but he intervened poorly and allowed the ball past him and Aston Villa became the first team in the era of the Premier League, which scored eight goals in the door of Liverpool in one season.
Liverpool started the second half very aggressively and logically reached to equalizer goal in the 57th minute. The Merseysiders moved the ball very well from one flank to the other, Robertson shot sharply from the left, Martinez saved , but Salah overtook Mings for the ball and scored for 1-1.
Five minutes later Villa could have again punished the defense of the “Reds”. Watkins dealt with Phillips on the left, then passed to Trezeguet, who shot, but the ball hit the far post. Liverpool did not impose the expected pressure, but nevertheless the team believed to the last and in added time came to victory. Tiago intercepted Shaqiri’s cross with a volley, Martinez saved and El Ghazi cleared to the edge of the penalty area, where Alexander-Arnold with a great shot met the ball and sent it into the far corner for the final 2-1.
Liverpool with a well-deserved victory after a convincing performance with ball possession for Liverpool 68% against 32% for Aston Villa. The Reds are 5th in Premier league with 52 points, but a game more than Chelsea and Tottenham, who are respectively 6th and 7th. Next game for Liverpool is against Real Madrid on Anfield this Wednesday for the 2nd leg in the Champions League quarter-final, after loss 1-3 in Spain last week.
