Liverpool Champions League hopes fade away as Villa hold the Reds to a draw

Aston Villa holds Liverpool to a draw

Liverpool Champions League hopes fade away as Villa hold the Reds to a draw

Stephen Oladehinde 17:16 - 20.05.2023

Liverpool could only salvage a draw against Aston Villa at Anfield as their chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League fades away.

Liverpool’s unbeaten run continued but could only salvage a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Anfield which further dented their chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League

Aston Villa took the lead in the first half from Jacob Ramsey’s goal after Ollie Watkins missed a penalty. Liverpool tried to get back into the game but only got a goal late in the second half from Roberto Firmino.

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As it happened 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp fielded the same 11 that defeated Leicester last weekend with Salah, Gakpo and Diaz leading the attack while Unai Emery made five changes to his side that defeated Tottenham.

The home side started brightly as they attempted to get the first goal of the game. However, the first clear-cut chance fell to Aston Villa in the 21st minute when Ibrahima Konate committed a foul in the box with a sliding tackle and the referee John Brooks did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot.

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins stepped up to take the penalty but missed the goal post as his shot went just wide of the right post.

Six minutes later after the penalty miss, Aston Villa took the lead when Douglas Luiz played a cross into the box and Jacob Ramsey got on the end of it to put it into the bottom right corner.

The second half started with Aston Villa trying to defend their one-goal lead. Liverpool’s effort to get back into the game came to nothing but a moment of magic from substitute Bobby Firmino helped the Reds to a draw.

Roberto Firmino came in to replace Diaz in the 73rd minute and got the equaliser in the 89th minute when Mohamed Salah laid the ball off to Roberto Firmino, who shot from close range into the right side of the goal, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

Liverpool could only secure a draw at the end of the game as their Champions League hope fades away at Anfield.