Late Alexander-Arnold Stunning Strike Secures Essential Win Over Aston Villa

Local lad Trent Alexander-Arnold helped to relieve some pressure for Liverpool with a stifling 91st minute strike against Aston Villa, ending a streak of six consecutive losses at home. The boyhood fan had been under his own strains following his omittance from the most recent England squad and a poor run of form for club but earnt a vital three points in Liverpool’s battle for a Premier League top four place. 

Following mid-week defeat in Europe and looking to end a painful run of successive defeats at Anfield, Liverpool were a determined yet humbled outfit – one much different to the confident, untouchable entity that arrived at Villa Park in October for a 7-2 thumping. Boss Jurgen Klopp and his team were able to redeem themselves from one of the biggest shock results of the season, but it was not without some struggle. Almost unrecognisable from last season, Liverpool’s inability to convert plentiful shots into goals was once again noticeable in this clash, with the Reds registering 23 shots and 10 on target, but only scraping victory in the dying minutes of the game. 

Klopp’s side clearly dominated possession and goal scoring opportunities but were equally as sloppy as the visitors in passing and capitalising on dangerous attacks. An early error by Tyrone Mings set Mo Salah up for an easy shot on goal, but he passed the ball wide, much to the relief of the Villa centre back who conceded a goal just a week prior due to an unforced error. Similar Villa slip-ups gifted the home side chances, but it was Ollie Watkins that started the scoring with a late first-half strike, set up by John McGinn. Watkins became the first player since the 2008/09 season to score more than three against Liverpool in one season after bagging a hat trick in the reverse fixture. Firmino thought he had put his side level before the half-time whistle, but another marginal offside ruling by VAR snatched an equaliser from the forward. 

The second-half saw Mo Salah score Liverpool’s first goal from open play at home since late December 2020. Martinez almost avoided trouble after saving the initial shot from Robertson, but the instinctive Egyptian was ready to tidy away the rebound. Villa mustered up a few decent chances, most notably through a Trezeguet shot that hit the post and fell back across the face of goal. Substitute and well-known Evertonian Ross Barkley failed to get a shot off when in front of goal in a great position – instead he lost possession in a movement that would ultimately lead to a Liverpool winner. Once again, Emi Martinez made a great save from Thiago’s initial shot, but the ball fell in good space for Liverpool’s number 66 after a poor clearance from El Ghazi, and the following strike was unstoppable. 

Villa were once again wounded by the absence of captain Jack Grealish, and their lack of intensity is likely to be attributed to his mysterious shin injury. Having started the season at a blistering pace, going four games unbeaten and beating the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester in short succession, Villa were dark horses in the race for European placement. However, a COVID-19 outbreak at the club in January 2021 seemingly halted the team’s momentum and since then there has been a significant drop in results. The influence of the pandemic on player wellness and performance is clear, and the case of this fixture is a perfect example of how the 2020/21 season has gifted viewers with the most obscure and unpredictable season on memory. 

Before the game, Klopp highlighted how the lack of fans in stadiums during the pandemic has had an impact on his team’s performance levels. “One of the main reasons [for poor form] is the lack of crowd. The main reason we are not the same is that we miss our supporters.” From unbeaten at home in 68 games to winning one in eight, the stark comparison between the Liverpool of their title-winning season to the one of 2021 has been shocking. 

Post-match, Villa boss Dean Smith admitted “We did not take the most of our opportunities in the second half and ultimately lost the second half 2-0, and that is the crazy game of football. Sometimes you can score when you are not at your best and concede when you are playing a lot better. Disappointed and frustrated.” 

A much happier Klopp following the much-needed victory said, “We decided long ago that we accept that this a bumpy season for us, but we have to strike back, and the boys did. It took a while, but we scored a really nice goal. We scored a wonderful goal to make it 2-1, which felt like the best goal in ages. It was emotional and I am really happy about the three points.”