Liverpool vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Re-live all the action from Anfield as Liverpool hosted Aston Villa
Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic late equaliser to keep Liverpool’s slim chances of a top-four Premier League finish alive with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Brazilian, in his final appearance at Anfield after eight seasons with the Merseyside club, scored in the 89th minute to the delight of the crowd in Liverpool’s last home game of the season.
Juergen Klopp’s side are fifth with 66 points with one game remaining, but three points adrift of fourth-place Manchester United who have a game in hand. Unai Emery’s Villa are seventh with 58 points from 37 games.
Jacob Ramsey put Villa ahead in the 27th minute, after a period of sustained pressure, darting to the back post to head a cross from Douglas Luiz past goalkeeper Allison.
Villa could have taken the lead five minutes earlier when they were awarded a penalty, but Ollie Watkins sent his shot sailing wide.
Liverpool thought they had levelled early in the second half from a close-range goal by Cody Gakpo, but after a lengthy VAR check it was ruled out for offside.
Liverpool must win their final game at Southampton next week, and hope that Man United and Newcastle United lose their remaining two games to secure a Champions League berth.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Villa meanwhile make three swaps to their side, with two at the back and one in the middle. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne both come into defence, while Boubacar Kamara is added in midfield. Ashley Young, Alex Moreno and Emiliano Buendia miss out.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
It's an unchanged line-up to start from Klopp this week, though Roberto Firmino is back on the bench following injury. Only James Milner joins him among the departing players however, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain overlooked.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
To do so however, they'll have to overcome one of the surprise packages of the season in Aston Villa. Ever since Unai Emery took the reins at Villa Park, they have been a side transformed, and are chasing European dreams of their own.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
After a difficult season that saw them mired in mid-table and out of the silverware hunt at one point, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp could yet secure Champions League football again. Fate is out of their own hands, but they can still make their own luck.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
With just a few games left in the campaign, the title looks set to be headed back to Manchester City once again this term. But their long-term rivals are seeking for a moderate success story to cap a tough year.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2022-23 Premier League season, as Liverpool look to push on in their pursuit of the top four against Aston Villa at Anfield!
Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Line-ups
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz. Subs: Gomez, Milner, Firmino, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Matip, Kelleher.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins. Subs: Traore, Buendia, Alex Moreno, Ashley Young, Duran, Olsen, Dendoncker, Sinisalo.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire)
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