Two late goals from Jhon Duran salvaged a point for Aston Villa as Liverpool drew 3-3 in Jurgen Klopp’s final away game
As Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Anfield draws to a close, Liverpool were on the road for the final time this campaign as they played Unai Emery’s Aston Villa – who were closing in on a remarkable top four finish.
Following Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday, Liverpool’s 3rd-place finish was mathematically confirmed as regardless of the results in their final two matches they cannot be chased and cannot chase anyone.
Klopp made just one change to the side that battered Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at Anfield on the Sunday before last; bringing in Joe Gomez at left-back for Andy Robertson.
It was the perfect start for Liverpool as they were gifted a goal inside the opening two minutes at Villa Park. Harvey Elliott delivered a cross into the six-yard box searching for Luis Diaz – but Emiliano Martinez did the Colombian’s job for him as he put it into his own net.
Liverpool had scored the opening goal in back-to-back games – something so unusual for the Reds this season that the only explanation is down to the fact that it is the end of the season and weird and out of character things happen. Especially when their final position has been confirmed.
Aston Villa grabbed their equalising goal not long after, just 12 minutes into the match courtesy of a superb Youri Tielemans strike. Liverpool may have had nothing to play for – but the hosts had a top four finish to attain.
Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s lead in what was a crazy first 25 minutes as he tapped home from Joe Gomez’s half-cross/half-shot. Only in an alternate universe would we know what would have happened if Gakpo hadn’t touched it.
The Reds took this lead into the half-time break and looked to record their third consecutive victory at Villa Park in the Premier League. And with no changes from either side, the match resumed at 2-1 to Liverpool.
Two soon became three for the Reds as breakthrough prospect Jarell Quansah scored his first Premier League goal (second in all comps) in front of the away fans at Villa Park. A fantastic header from a set piece. All three goals for Liverpool coming from crosses into the box.
Liverpool looked set to see out an impressive 3-1 win at Aston Villa until they unleashed Jhon Duran onto the pitch.
The Colombian striker scored six minutes after his introduction with a superb left-footed effort from the edge of the box after Calum Chambers dispossessed Alexis Mac Allister.
Duran grabbed his second of the game just minutes later after a bizarre finish with his knee, again on the edge of the area, looped over Alisson into the back of the net.
One very good strike and one very bizarre strike had brought Aston Villa back to a remarkable 3-3 scoreline, ultimately salvaging a point in their hunt for a top four finish.
And unless Tottenham Hotspur win on Tuesday night against Manchester City, they will qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League – something thought not just improbable but down right impossible just a few years ago.
Klopp thanked the travelling Kop in emotional fashion as the German manager prepares to say his final goodbye later this week. Sunday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers will be his final match as Reds boss.
What a journey it’s been. And a crazy 3-3 draw on the road most definitely sums up his Liverpool team throughout the past eight-and-a-half years.
Kick-off against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield will be at 4pm on Sunday, 19 May. It’ll be an emotional one, for sure.
Aston Villa team: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, Tielemans (Zaniolo 65 (Duran 79)), Luiz (Chambers 80), Bailey, McGinn, Diaby, Watkins.
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez, Elliott (Gravenberch 75), Endo (Szoboszlai 76), Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo (Nunez 75), Diaz (Jones 76).
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