Liverpool have booked a home win in the Premier League for the first time since December 16 on Saturday afternoon. For a long time, Jürgen Klopp’s team seemed to be heading for a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, until Trent Alexander-Arnold completed the verdict beautifully in injury time. It was the first win after eight consecutive games without a win. Liverpool will therefore take fourth place, which entitles you to participate in the Champions League at the end of the stage, from West Ham United.
Although Liverpool seems to be on the upward trend, it is hardly going to work out for Klopp’s team in-house. Only once did Liverpool score in the last eight home games in the Premier League. That was against Manchester City (1-4). The home team seemed to take the lead early on against Villa, when Mohamed Salah was given an unmissable opportunity. The Egyptian came face to face with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez after Tyrone Mings let the ball run underfoot. However, the striker’s effort went right past the left post.
Liverpool did dominate in the first half, but barely managed to achieve great opportunities. Alexander-Arnold shot a free kick from the edge of the penalty area just over and from the following corner Diogo Jota saw a header also go over. The first time that Villa appeared dangerously in front of Alisson Becker’s goal, it was immediately hit. On the stroke of half time, Ollie Watkins got the ball at about twenty meters from the goal, after which the attacker checked with the right and finished with the left. With some fortune, though, as Alisson dived over the ball: 0-1.
Klopp’s team thought it would come alongside in the first half, when Roberto Firmino hit the ball in injury time after having gotten the ball somewhat fortunate. However, Jota was very narrowly in an offside position during the preparatory work, as a thorough analysis of the VAR showed. Ten minutes after the break it was a hit. Martínez initially had a clever reflex on a left shot from Andrew Robertson, but had to watch how Salah was most attentive in the rebound and headed the equalizer against the ropes from close range: 1-1.
It marked the nineteenth goal of the season for Salah, who has been joint top scorer of the Premier League since Saturday, together with Harry Kane. Liverpool had the field advantage in the second half, as in the first company, but saw how close Villa was to a second lead. Trézéguet hit the inside of the right post, but did so in an offside position. Not much later, Anwar El Ghazi came in at Villa, while Wijnaldum left the field for Thiago Alcántara. The game then seemed to be heading for a draw, were it not that Alexander-Arnold carried out the verdict in extremis. The wing defender curled the ball beautifully into the lower right corner: 2-1.