Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 6:10 PM• Jordi Tomasowa • Last update: 18:09

Liverpool barely kept the last glimmer of hope for Champions League football alive on Saturday. The team of manager Jürgen Klopp seemed to have to swallow a 0-1 defeat at home against Aston Villa. Substitute Roberto Firmino, however, gave the home team a point just before the end: 1-1. The draw leaves Liverpool fifth, three points behind numbers three and four Newcastle United and Manchester United, who have played a game less.

Klopp was suspended against Aston Villa. The German manager was penalized by the FA for statements he made late last month about referee Paul Tierney, whom he accused of having something against Liverpool after the spectacular win over Tottenham Hotspur (4-3). As a result, his assistant Pepijn Lijnders did the honors against Villa. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo could count on a base place again with the home team. Klopp saw from the stands how his players were dominant in possession, although it was not possible to find a hole in the stiff defense of the visitors.

Villa was mainly lurking on the counter and after twenty minutes of play had the perfect opportunity to take the lead at Anfield. Ibrahima Konaté fouled Ollie Watkins, after which referee John Brooks firmly pointed to the penalty spot. Watkins himself went behind the ball, but shot wide from eleven yards. Within half an hour the 0-1 was still a fact. Liverpool failed to get the ball out of their own box. Douglas Luiz brought the ball high in front of the far post, where Jacob Ramsey was able to shoot in.

The Reds got to thank Allison Becker that the damage was not greater before the break. The Brazilian goalkeeper managed to parry a goal attempt by Ramsey this time with a strong reflex. On the other side it was Tyrone Mings who was allowed to squeeze his hands shut just before halftime. The defender hit Gakpo on the chest with a karate kick. Because he played the ball first, the VAR ultimately decided not to call Brooks to the sideline to review the moment. Liverpool seemed to balance the score early in the second half, but the referee ruled out Gakpo’s goal for offside after the intervention of the VAR.

With Diogo Jota within the lines, Klopp’s team pushed more. The urge to attack alone did not lead to great opportunities. Lijnders decided to bring in Roberto Firmino and Darwín Núñez. For the Brazilian, it was his last game at Anfield in the Liverpool shirt. The home team also looked toothless with the fresh forces. Just before the end of regular playing time, the 1-1 was there. The invisible Mohamed Salah gave a nice left on the outside to Firmino, who tapped in from close range. The point gives Liverpool a glimmer of hope for fourth place and qualification for the Champions League.