Liverpool had a 3-1 lead and three points in their sights, but Aston Villa's J'hon Duran had other ideas. The Columbian came on as a sub in the 79th and scored in the 85th and 88th minutes as Liverpool had to settle for a 3-3 draw.
First Half
The match got off to a cracking start for the Reds as a Havey Elliot cross in the box was bobbled across the line by the Aston Villa keeper for an own goal just after the minute mark. The home team equalised quickly as Ollie Watkins played a ball back to Youri Tielmans at the top of the box. He hit a sizzling strike in the 12th minute to equalise at 1-1.
Liverpool reclaimed the lead in the 23rd minute. After a nice buildup, Luis Diaz slid the ball across the face of goal and Cody Gakpo was waiting for the top in. After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was allowed to stand, giving Liverpool a 2-1 lead.
Neither team scored in the rest of the half, but Villa had a quality chance in the 35th minute as Diogo Carlos had a chance to turn home a cross from a close ranger, but he could not get a touch on the ball, leaving Liverpool up 2-1.
Second Half
Jarell Quansah scored early in the second half to give Liverpool a 3-1 cushion. After a foul in the 48th minute, Elliott lofted a freekick in the box and Quansah lept in the air and hit a header off of the inside of the post for his first Premier League goal and a 3-1 advantage.
Watkins appeared to pull a goal back in the 53rd minute, but it was disallowed after a VAR review for offsides. Mohamed Salah put the ball in the back of the net in the 59th minute, but the flag was raised for offside.
Alisson came away with a big save in the 69th minute to maintain the 3-1 lead. Dominik Szoboszlai nearly scored after coming as a sub in the 77th minute, but his shot was saved. Trent Alexander-Arnold forced another save in the 82nd. That proved to be big as as Aston Villa's J'han Duran scored a brace in a quick session to tie the match at 3-3.
Each team had a shot on goal during stoppage time but they had to settle for the 3-3 draw.
Where Do You Begin?
From an own goal in the opening seconds to a brace by a substitute in the final moments of regular time, this match had it all from the opening whistle. Liverpool could have laid down with nothing to play for but pride and they looked to have the match won. Villa who are pushing for a Champions League spot, would not go away. All those ingredients made for one of the most entertaining matches of the year. I hope Klopp's farewell next week is just as good and it ends in a Liverpool victory.
News & Notes
Despite the draw, Liverpool have not lost a Premier League match when leading at halftime since 2016 (137 games). Alisson made his 200th Premier League start and Quansah scored his first Premier League goal.
Duran Duran
No, I'm not talking about the band from the 1980's. As a football fan, you have to show some love to J'han Duran. I mean he scored two goals in just 11 minutes (plus stoppage time) on the pitch. Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner was the fastest-ever substitute to score a goal in the Premier League in 2007 (6 seconds). What Duran did might even be more impressive. I'm not sure if that's a record for the fastest brace scored by a sub. If it did not, it has to be close.
LFC Globe Verdict
What more can you say about a match like this? Klopp said in his post-match interview with Sky Sports that the Reds showed outstanding character in the game, so he is not too upset with the result. If most Liverpool fans were honest, we aren't that upset either because we were treated to 90 minutes of entertaining football.
Man Of The Match
I say, Harvey Elliott. His cross led to the early own goal and he also garnered an assist. Elliott also seemed to be lurking in dangerous positions for most of the match.
What's Next
Liverpool close out their season on May 19th, hosting Wolves at Anfield.
Goals
Aston Villa
- Own Goal 2'
- Youri Tielmans 12'
- J'han Duran 85'
- J'han Duran 88'
Liverpool
1. Cody Gakpo 23'
2 . Jarell Quanash 48'
Substitutions
Aston Villa
- Nicolo Zaniolo for Youri Tielemans 65'
- Jhon Duran for Nicolo Zaniolo 79'
- Calum Chambers for Douglas Luiz 80'
Liverpool
- Ryan Gravenberch for Harvey Elliott 75'
- Darwin Nunez for Cody Gakpo 75'
- Dominik Szoboszlai for Wataru Endo 76'
- Curtis Jones for Luis Diaz 76'