Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Stefan Bajcetic wraps up win

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is happy to be within “punching distance” of the top four as he looks to mount a bid for Champions League football in the second half of the season.

Inconsistent results meant the Reds headed into the World Cup break in sixth place, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham – albeit with a match in hand – and a huge 15 adrift of leaders Arsenal.

But a run of eight wins in 10 fixtures prior to the cessation of the Premier League suggested they had ironed out those rogue results and – although their return to action saw the defence of their Carabao Cup end at the hands of Manchester City – Klopp has his eyes on a renewed battle.

Liverpool have control of this match at Villa Park. Can the home side respond in the second half?

45+3 mins: There goes the whistle to bring the first half to a close. Liverpool have a two-goal cushion against an Aston Villa side giving it a decent go.

If the home side can score first after the break then it’s very much game on.

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the half-time break.

43 mins: Lucas Digne gets clipped on the ankle by Joel Matip and winces in pain before limping away. That challenge caught him right on the back of his foot and hurt but the Villa defender is okay to play on.

40 mins: That second goal could be a killer for Aston Villa. The hosts have had their moments but haven’t been able to take any of them and Liverpool look hungry in the final third.

Villa just need to get to half-time without conceding another goal.

37 mins: Two for Liverpool! Trent Alexander-Arnold whips the ball into the penalty area this time and it pinballs around before breaking to Mo Salah at the back post.

He’s got his back to goal so lays the ball off to Virgil van Dijk who volleys a shot at goal. The ball takes a deflection off Ezri Konsa which wrongfoots Robin Olsen allowing it to sneak into the far bottom corner.

35 mins: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brings the ball down the left wing for Liverpool and flicks a pass round the corner to get Nunez into the box. He cuts inside before searching for Salah at the far post.

The ball skips through the six-yard area but Mings beats Salah to the ball and pokes it behind.

32 mins: Aston Villa are looking bright but they’re vulnerable on the counter-attack whilst playing with this high line. Jordan Henderson slips one down the line just as Ezri Konsa steps up to get ahead of Darwin Nunez.

Nunez carries the ball into the right side of the box and curls a cross over to Andy Robertson but Tyrone Mings turns the ball behind before the offside flag gets raised.

29 mins: Chance! Liverpool’s clearance sees them boot the ball up the pitch and get Darwin Nunez in behind Ezri Konsa. Nunez watches the ball come over his own head and meets it on the volley.

The striker goes for goal but his effort is too soft and Robin Olsen gets safely in behind the ball.