Liverpool vs. Aston Villa score: Alexander-Arnold and Salah rescue crucial late victory for Klopp’s side

Liverpool are up into fourth within the Premier League desk after a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday that was their first victory at Anfield since mid-December.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring for the guests on 43 minutes after being teed up by John McGinn and Roberto Firmino thought he had equalized on the stroke of half time solely to be dominated offside. Mo Salah did ultimately stage for Jurgen Klopp’s males after 57 minutes and Trent Alexander-Arnold made certain of the factors with an outstanding late effort.

The consequence provides the Reds new momentum within the Premier League and a confidence enhance as they attempt to overcome Actual Madrid’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg lead. For Villa, although, it was a deflating consequence after main and having the prospect to at the least return to Birmingham with some extent.

Some winners and losers.

Winner: Trent Alexander-Arnold

At a time when his potential involvement with England’s squad for this summer time’s European championship is being debated, the 22-year-old got here up massive for Liverpool to maintain them within the hunt for Champions League qualification by way of the Premier League together with his late winner. Granted, inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s closing group (he was at Anfield to look at) will rely on greater than only a nice purpose, but it surely was the much-needed enhance that the younger right-back has been in determined want of currently.

Loser: Trezeguet

Earlier than Alexander-Arnold’s very good winner and simply after Salah’s equalizer, the Egypt worldwide had an incredible likelihood to place Villa again in entrance and was denied by the put up with an outdoor of the foot effort. Sadly, Trezeguet’s afternoon would finish badly with an harm that ultimately required him to make method for younger Jacob Ramsey simply moments earlier than the hosts scored their essential second purpose of the sport.

Winner: Jurgen Klopp

His Liverpool facet ended their dire current run at Anfield with a primary win since Tottenham Hotspur again in mid-December and simply on the proper time to maintain them within the hunt for European qualification with the Champions League difficult after their first leg loss to Actual Mardid. The Reds may nonetheless end within the UCL spots within the Premier League if they’ll construct on this consequence and begin recovering their dwelling kind.

Loser: Dean Smith

As fortuitous because it was, Villa had been in a number one place and threw it away by losing their possibilities so as to add to Watkins’ opener and Smith will as soon as once more face questions on his workforce’s over-reliance on Jack Grealish. The talismanic captain was not missed as sorely as he typically is, however Villa nonetheless lack the kind of killer intuition we see from them extra typically when the England worldwide is out there.

Winner: Ollie Watkins

Scorer of Villa’s opener, England boss Gareth Southgate watched on as Watkins continues to be a vibrant spot for Villa as their kind fades away and his newest purpose could have solely helped his possibilities of protecting his place with the Three Lions as we head in the direction of this summer time’s Euros. The 25-year-old is edging in the direction of the 15-goal mark and that represents a wholesome debut season after his transfer from Brentford which ought to end with continued worldwide recognition.

Loser: Roberto Firmino

Unfortunate to see his effort on the finish of the primary half dominated out in complicated vogue, the Brazilian’s subdued kind continues — even whether it is maybe not as worrying as Sadio Mane’s declining numbers. On one other day, Firmino would have been celebrating however the 29-year-old was denied and so stays with only one purpose since again in December when he scored within the 7-0 rout of Crystal Palace.