Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool Player Ratings

Liverpool blew a two-goal lead in the dying minutes against Aston Villa to hold on for a 3-3 draw in Jurgen Klopp’s final away game on Monday night.

The Reds made the dream start in the Midlands and were ahead within a minute. Harvey Elliott’s near-post cross was deflected on its way to Emiliano Martinez and the keeper inexplicably put the ball into his own net under no pressure.

But despite a dominant start, Liverpool’s advantage would only last ten minutes, Youri Tielemans tapping home Ollie Watkins’ cross. The Reds’ long wait for a free Premier League slot continues.

Liverpool found themselves back in front in the 23rd minute when Cody Gakpo headed home after Joe Gomez’s shot was saved, but their defense looked far from airtight as Diego Carlos somehow missed an open goal from a yard out.

The Reds extended their lead just three minutes after the restart and it was Jarell Quansah’s first Premier League goal, whose towering header gave Liverpool a much-appreciated cushion.

However, just as Liverpool looked to be heading for victory, they collapsed. Two late goals from Jhon Duran, the second of which was extremely fortunate, saw the Reds settle for a point in Klopp’s penultimate game.

Here are your player ratings for the clash at Villa Park…

ALLISON (GK): 6

With nothing to do in the first 50 minutes, Alisson almost gave Villa a goal after his loose pass was intercepted. Helpless for the second and third, making an excellent stop to deny Moussa Diaby in added time.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (RB): 5

He operated in some useful spaces as he moved into midfield, although his absence at right-back helped Villa score early in the match. His passing range was off and he didn’t get covered in glory at the back.

JARELL QUANSAH (CB): 6

Beaten too easily by Watkins’ pace and power for Villa’s early equaliser, and had a few shaky moments in a first half in which Liverpool opened too easily. However, he grabbed the second goal for the Reds with a superb header.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK (CB): 7

Despite Liverpool’s defense looking alarmingly porous, Van Dijk was not to blame for a ragged display at the back. He won most of his personal duels and would have appreciated more support from his teammates.

JOE GOMEZ (LB): 6

Far more impactful in Villa’s half than he was in his own defensive third, his parried effort earned Gakpo a first-half tap-in. He battled the tricky duo of Leon Bailey and Diaby.

HARVEY ELLIOTT (CM): 7

Forced the opener after a nice one-two and set up Quansah’s header with an excellent free-kick, sent straight at the centre-back’s head at the far post. Not as eye-catching as his performance against Tottenham, but another strong outing from the youngster.

WATARU ENDO (CM): 5

A passive display from the Japan international, who failed to provide any real support to the back line and was guilty of a couple of late tackles when he got close enough to Villa’s midfield.

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (CM): 5

The Argentine was typically clean and tidy in possession until the 84th minute when his terrific touch gave Villa the ball on the edge of the area in the build-up to the hosts’ second goal. Not his best phase of possession either.

MOHAMED SALAH (RW): 6

The Egyptian looked for it early with some positive bursts down the right flank, giving Lucas Digne a tough first half. Salah’s influence significantly decreased after the break.

CODY GAKPO (ST): 7

In the right place at the right time to slot in another Liverpool goal after his header last time out and made a nuisance of himself drifting across the forward line. Good hold-up game to bring teammates into the game throughout.

LUIS DIAZ (LW): 6

A characteristically energetic display from the tireless winger, but it lacked its edge in the final third, with some promising counter-attacks failing them on the clock. If he could find that ruthless streak, he’d be unstoppable.

SUBSTITUTE

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI (ELLIOTT, 75′): 6

He forced a save from Martinez shortly after his introduction, but that was all he could manage.

RYAN GRAVENBERCH (ENDO, 75′): 6

He made a lot of attempts to get on the ball in the last few minutes and showed his quality in possession.

DARWIN NUNEZ (GAKPO, 75′): 6

He put the ball in the back of the net but was unsurprisingly offside.

CURTIS JONES (DIAZ, 75′): 5

He barely touched the ball after his introduction and couldn’t protect the Liverpool backline.