Roberto Firmino scored an emotional late equaliser on his final Anfield appearance – but failure to beat Aston Villa still leaves Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
2022/2023 Premier League
1-1
Match Report
With manager Jurgen Klopp watching from the stands because of a touchline ban, Ollie Watkins missed a penalty for the visitors before Jacob Ramsey struck after 27 minutes.
Firmino, who will leave Liverpool in the summer, came on with fellow departee James Milner with 18 minutes left and there was a sense of inevitability that the Brazilian should mark the occasion by turning in Mo Salah’s cross and looking up to the sky in celebration.
Even so, Liverpool now have to win their final match at Southampton next Sunday and hope Manchester United lose their remaining two fixtures to prolong their six-year run in the Champions League.
Klopp’s team had won their previous seven matches while Villa were given a boost before kick-off when European rivals Tottenham lost at home to Brentford.
Klopp’s assistant Peter Krawietz ensured the technical area would stay passionate and exchanged early words with Villa boss Unai Emery while in a separate incident Virgil van Dijk and Watkins needed treatment after a clash of heads.
Villa were 15th when Emery took over in October and their fans sang unkindly about his predecessor Steven Gerrard, revered at Anfield.
The pace of Watkins was always likely to be a threat and it was no surprise he won a penalty after 22 minutes. He sped clear of Ibrahima Konate forcing the centre-half into a rash tackle from behind.
Watkins been in great form but seemed unsettled taking in front of The Kop particularly with Alisson in goal.
Sure enough, he opened up his right foot and dragged his finish wide of the post.
Liverpool should have learned their lesson, but didn’t. They had four attempts to clear a corner but Douglas Luiz picked up the loose ball and curled in a cross for Ramsey to convert with a cushioned first-time finish.
It was the 21-year-old’s sixth goal of the season but his first outside Villa Park.
There was a feeling among home fans that decisions went against them all afternoon and that Villa weren’t punished for frequent delaying tactics.
To add to any conspiracy theory, referee John Brooks was the fourth official yelled at by Klopp at the end of Liverpool’s win against Tottenham, though he did add 10 minutes of injury-time at the end.
Up in the stands, Klopp would have been as miffed this time by some of his side’s defending.
A quick Villa free-kick found Ramsey in acres of space and Allison saved his side by narrowing the angle to make a great block.
In contrast, the home team reached half-time without Emi Martinez having to produce a save though Villa had a late scare when Tyrone Mings caught Cody Gakpo in the chest and survived a VAR check not to get a red card
Salah registered Liverpool’s first shot on target after 51 minutes and they thought they’d levelled after 53 minutes when Konate’s scuffed shot was cleared off the line by Mings and Gakpo rifled in the rebound.
To add to Liverpool’s sense of injustice however, referee Brooks went to the monitor and judged van Dijk had been offside in the build-up.
Digne’s replacement Alex Moreno lasted only 12 months before he went off injured as well.
There was a roar when Firmino and James Milner were introduced. It felt like a dramatic finale had been set up and Firmino obliged with a poacher’s finish after 89 minutes from Salah’s cross.
Liverpool went for the winner right up until the 100th minute but were unable to manage it leaving Europa League on a Thursday night almost certain next season.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' The young fan wears Firmino's mask to express his reluctance to part ways.
22' Penalty Missed! (Watkins)
27' GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa (Jacob Ramsey)
40' CLOSE! Ramsey's shot denied by Alisson
45' Yellow Card! Mings booked
51' CHANCE! Salah's shot saved
55' OFFSIDE! Gakpo's goal disallowed
66' Yellow Card! Alexander-Arnold booked
72' Firmino and Milner come on as substitutes for Anfield farewell match
89' GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa (Firmino)
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Henderson, Alisson, Salah, Van Dijk, Fabinho, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz, Curtis Jones
Subs: Milner, Matip, Firmino, Joe Gomez, Tsimikas, Jota, Kelleher, Fabio Carvalho, Elliott
Aston Villa XI: E. Martinez, Digne, McGinn, Mings, Ollie Watkins, Bailey, Kamara, Ngoyo, Matty Cash, Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey
Subs: Young, Traore, R. Olsen, Dendoncker, Álex Moreno, Buendia, Viljami Sinisalo, Jhon Durán