Summary: Liverpool vs Aston Villa (3-3) – Duran’s Double Secures the Draw
In a spectacular match full of twists and turns, Aston Villa and Liverpool ended in a 3-3 draw in Jurgen Klopp’s last away game as the manager of the “Reds.” Duran’s double levelled the score after the visitors had comfortably led with a two-goal advantage.
Contents
Starting Lineups
Both teams made only one change to their lineups from the previous matches. Jurgen Klopp started Joe Gomez as the left-back, replacing Andrew Robertson, who played that role in the 4-2 victory against Spurs.
On the other side, Unai Emery started Youri Tielemans in midfield, replacing Matty Cash, who started in the defeat against Olympiacos that led to their exit from European competitions this year.
Match Report
Liverpool Leads after the First Half
Liverpool opened the scoring in the 2nd minute after an own goal by Emiliano Martinez who surprised everyone with its clumsiness. Harvey Elliott advanced down the right flank, crossed into the box, and the ball was deflected by Konsa. Martinez attempted to catch the ball but fumbled it into his own net. A big mistake on an otherwise fine season by Martinez who saved Villa on numerous ocasions.
Villa responded in the 12th minute through Youri Tielemans, who finished off an excellent play initiated by Ollie Watkins on the left flank. Watkins easily bypassed Trent Alexander-Arnold and perfectly crossed to Tielemans, who scored with a precise shot from the edge of the box.
Liverpool quickly regained the lead in the 23rd minute when Cody Gakpo scored in a similar manner. Joe Gomez sent in a cross, and Gakpo was there to tap the ball into the net. Despite Villa having a better xG (1.78 compared to 1.20 for the opponents), the halftime score was 2-1 for Liverpool.
The Reds Extend Their Lead
The second half started poorly for Villa. In the 48th minute, Jarell Quansah scored with an excellently placed header after a free kick by Harvey Elliott. The score became 3-1, and Villa’s chances seemed to diminish. Jurgen Klopp appeared relaxed on the sidelines, confident in the outcome.
However, Villa did not give up and continued to create chances. The xG statistics clearly showed the superiority of the hosts, 3.36 compared to 1.73 for Liverpool, indicating the numerous opportunities Villa had throughout the match. In the 53rd minute, an Ollie Watkins goal was ruled out for offside, raising the tension at Villa Park.
Duran Strikes: A Swift Double Brings the Point
Unai Emery made an inspired change in the 79th minute by bringing on Jhon Duran for Nicolo Zaniolo. This decision proved crucial for the outcome of the match. In the 85th minute, Duran reduced the deficit with a powerful shot from the edge of the box after capitalizing on a mistake by Alexis Mac Allister.
Two minutes later, in the 87th minute, Duran scored again, this time in a rather unconventional manner. Moussa Diaby charged through the center and took a shot, which deflected off Duran’s knee and into Alisson’s net. Duran became an accidental hero, as the deflection was unintended. Nonetheless, he deserves credit for his energy and excellent positioning.
VAR Conclusion: Many Defensive Lapses from Both Teams
One of the main reasons Liverpool failed to secure victory in this match was their defensive fragility.
Individual Errors and Lack of Protection from Midfielders
From the start of the match, Liverpool’s defense showed signs of weakness. Aston Villa’s equalizing goal came after Trent Alexander-Arnold was too easily bypassed by Ollie Watkins, allowing him to cross to Tielemans. Despite scoring a goal, Jarell Quansah struggled to contain the hosts’ rapid attacks.
Individual errors were compounded by collective problems, such as a lack of coordination and poor marking at crucial moments. The earlier example shows how Tielemans was left unmarked in the center right in front of the box.
Liverpool’s midfielders failed to provide the necessary protection for the back line. Too often, the ball was lost in dangerous areas, allowing opponents to create scoring opportunities. Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo were unable to close down spaces and anticipate Villa’s attacking moves.
Four Goals Disallowed by VAR
The VAR referees had a very busy evening, disallowing four goals due to offside. This occurred because both teams pushed their defensive lines high up the pitch. This isn’t necessarily a problem if the defense is disciplined and attentive to marking.
However, that was not the case in this match. For Liverpool, the “Reds” struggled significantly with Villa’s rapid incursions, especially when the hosts regained possession in dangerous positions.
Conclusions
Liverpool’s weak defense was a major factor in the final result of the match. Although they had moments of brilliance in attack, their defensive vulnerabilities were too significant to ignore. With just one clean sheet in their last 16 league matches, Liverpool cannot hope to compete for the title without significant improvements in this area.
On the other hand, Villa remains in the race for Champions League qualification, but they need to win their final match against Crystal Palace and hope that Tottenham does not win both of their remaining games.
