A great game, with all its letters, signed by Aston Villa and Liverpool, a sweet Colombian flavor not so much because of the ownership of Luis Díaz but because of the fabulous appearance of Jhon Durán at the close.
It was 3-3 on the hour mark, with more than ten minutes added, with moments for both teams and a relentless pace, worthy of two teams full of stars and needs.
It was exciting from the start, when after 2 minutes came the blooper from the world champion, goalkeeper ‘Dibu’ Martínez of Aston Villa, seeing how a cross that seemed easy but slipped into the goal slipped through his hands. Own goal and the villains rowing from behind almost from the whistle.
But a little light went on in the 12th minute with Tielemans’ bomb, which punished that defensive passivity and that now usual gap due to the lead of Alexander-Arnold on the mark, and it was a 1-1 that anticipated a day of many goals, for the impetus, for the fantastic Premier speed of both rivals, for the excitement of seeing Luis Díaz influential, as always, in the visitor.
And the place went ahead with Bailey and Watkins testing a poorly placed Alisson Becker, but as they forgave them they were charged: at 23 minutes came the quick exit with Díaz, open pass to the left for Gómez, cross to Gakpo and goal, which had the suspense of the VAR review but ended in a hug and a 1-2 that rewarded the effectiveness of Klopp’s team.
Emery’s team wanted to equalize, Torres and Douglas Carlos had a header on a very clear occasion, but the blinds came down in the first half with the visitors ahead.
The complement seemed just as fast, with chances from Alexander-Arnold and Diabi, but again Liverpool was sharp to score the third with a great center from Elliot and better definition from Qansah in the 48th.
And then Aston Villa lost their temper a bit, getting complicated at the start and even involved in a fight in the 52nd minute, when the VAR annulled the goal play that Baily served to Watkins just ahead of him, and the camera showed them saying to each other words not suitable for minors. He was a bellicose scorer because in the next action, at 54, he fought with Diaby for a cue, which was the only thing he could do with his back to the goal.
Then Diaby, the newcomer Zaniolo, Douglas Luiz and even Digne lacked aim, which made it clear that the villains were trying everything but the pressure was already heavy.
There was no Colombian duel because Díaz was replaced at 76 and Durán finally entered at 80 and at 84 he hit a shot at Alisson Becker that brought his team back into the game. And he didn’t stop as he appeared to cut a cross with his knee and deflect the ball just in time to make it 3-3. It didn’t have to be pretty, it had to be a goal and he did it, even with the VAR failing.
Liverpool reached 79 points and consolidated itself as third, with no hope of fighting for the title, while Aston Villa was left with 8 points but with Tottenham (63) close and with two games less, threatening the fourth place that gives direct access to the Champions League.