Liverpool expanded their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points after an entertaining 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Villa had started fiercely, but a disaster struck when Diogo Jota bounced Andres Garcia before he bent the ball for Mohamed Salah Kwadraat to stop his 24th top flight goal of the season.
Youri Tielemans raised things at 38 minutes with a smart finish before Ollie Watkins put the hosts at the resting place.
But Liverpool came again and Trent Alexander-Arnold made it right before the side of Arne Slot after his target-bound strike was bent by Tyrone Mings.
Both parties had great opportunities in the last part of the game, but the loot were eventually shared.
Lewis Steele from Mail Sport was in Villa Park and he rated both sets of players below …
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez – 7.5
Brilliant tackle on Nunez when it seemed sure that Liverpool would go 3-2. Could not do much about the goals of Liverpool, but kept Villa in during an early attack by the road team.
Andres Garcia – 5
Difficult to suggest that he was exclusively the fault of Liverpool's opener after a stray card went directly into the path of Jota. What did he think?
Axel Disasi – 7 (booked)
Prepare the crowd early with a barnstorming. Was booked for an unnecessary challenge on Mac Allister but defended well.
Tyrone Mings – 7.5
“He is here, he is there, he is everywhere,” the cavity sang. It felt suitable when Mings made some large blocks and well covered. Bad on the deflection for the equalizer of Liverpool.
Lucas Digne – 7.5
I got Salah better in the first half and played a perfect cross for Watkins when Villa made it 2-1.
Youri Tielemans – 7.5
Nice football player. His goal will of course make the highlights, but the Belgian midfielder had Villa Constant and put a transplant of the ball into the ball.
John McGinn – 7
Captain kept the ball alive for Tielemans' goal in the first half and never stopped running in midfield.
Morgan Rogers – 7
A powerful player who causes all kinds of problems when he runs to defenders. Continued to connect.
Marco Asensio – 5.5
His first start in Villa Park saw him produce some nice accents, but did not grab the game by the neck of his neck as he might have wanted.
Marcus Rashford – 7
Saw much of the ball especially in the first half and caused quite a few problems for Alexander-Arnold, but although his end product was missing, this was a clear display.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Went unnoticed in the Liverpool penalty area while he played a nice poison and go with Dignne for the second goal. Lived on the shoulder of king and caused problems.
Replacement
Matty Cash (for Garcia, 67min) – 6
Donyell Malen (for Rashford, 67min) – 6
Jacob Ramsey (for Asensio, 67min) – 6
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 78min) – NA
Lamare Bogarde (for McGinn, 85min) – NA
Subs not used: Robin Olsen, Oliwier Zych, Jamaldeen Jimoh.
Manager
Unai Emery – 7
Set up his team well. They started nervous but grew in it.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Alisson – 6
A number of strong saves made in the second half and could not do much about the goals of Villa.
Trent Alexander -Arnold – 7
Looked confused and irritated to be replaced minutes after he pulled the Liverpool level. A good achievement on the ball of the vice captain.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
The Frenchman's commander, but would have been disappointed to prevent two goals.
Virgil van Dijk – 5.5
Konate and Van Dijk let Watkins have a free header to bring the score to 2-1 and they had several opportunities to free the ball for Villas Equalizer.
Andy Robertson – 6
Defended strongly and bombed as a auxiliary wings occasionally with Jones Tucking Infield.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Did not have his usual grasp on the procedure, but brought in a solid defensive shift.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
A warrior midfield that continued to fly in a positive way in challenges. However, could not have too much influence in an attacking sense.
Mohamed Salah – 7.5
Another goal and assist for Salah, even though they have not seen too much of the ball. Almost what we say every week.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.5
Was the brightest spark of Liverpool in an attacking sense when the Hungary skipper consistently drove through midfield and created opportunities.
Curtis Jones – 7
Started in an unusual left -wing role and Villa caused some problems when he appeared in some dangerous positions.
Diogo Jota – 7
In the first half, the Portuguese star made a number of dangerous runs behind the villa – something that Liverpool lacked his absence. But tired after the break.
Replacement
Darwin Nunez (for Jota, 66min) – 6
Conor Bradley (for Alexander -Arnold, 66min) – 6
Luis Diaz (for Mac Allister, 80min) – NA
Jarell Quansah (for Bradley, 89min) – NA
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas.
Manager
Arne Slot – 6
On another night his team would have taken one of the opportunities they missed. Much better than Sunday
Referee
Craig Pawson – 7
The game referred well, although it went without any incident.
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