Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool staged a thrilling fightback to beat Aston Villa 2-1 as the Premier League leaders scored twice in the final minutes through Andrew Robertson and Sadio Mane on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were in danger of losing in the league for the first time this season after Trezeguet put the hosts ahead in the first half at Villa Park.
But Robertson equalised with four minutes left and Senegal winger Mane grabbed the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to spark wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.
The late escape maintained Liverpool’s six-point lead over second placed Manchester City, who also came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1.
It may only be the start of November but it was another significant hurdle overcome as Liverpool came from behind for the third successive league game and have still only dropped two points this term.
Much talk beforehand had centred on the match with no date, namely the League Cup quarter-final between these sides, which clashes directly with Liverpool’s involvement in the Club World Cup in Qatar in December.
Klopp’s impassioned speech about the crowded schedule may or may not be listened to but this was the first of 15 matches between now and January 2.
Influential midfielder Fabinho was rested, although this had more to do with him being on four bookings and Klopp not wanting him to get another yellow card and be suspended for the huge game with City at Anfield next weekend.
Villa started with real energy as Anwar El Ghazi tested Alisson before striker Wesley glanced a header away from team-mate Bjorn Engels.
Liverpool’s obvious threat emerged as Mane headed just wide from an inviting Jordan Henderson cross and then Mohamed Salah sneaked in at the back post and forced an alert save out of Tom Heaton.
But the European Champions were stunned when they fell behind to a first goal in English football from Trezeguet.
The Egyptian volleyed in from John McGinn’s free kick as the defenders waited in vain for an offside call, which did not come from either the assistant referee or VAR.
– Sting in the tale –
Roberto Firmino had the ball in the net from Mane’s low cross only to see the flag up straight away.
It went to VAR where Firmino was adjudged to be offside by the narrowest possible margin, with his armpit being ruled the wrong side of the invisible line.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/337OUOY
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