Liverpool –
Liverpool in a trailing position 0-1 when the first half of the match against Aston Villa complete. The Reds’ goal by Roberto Firmino was disallowed.
In the match at Anfield, Liverpool made a few changes to the line-up after losing to Real Madrid. Sadio Mane and Naby Keita were reserved, Roberto Firmino and James Milner were played.
Firmino was installed with Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. Liverpool tried to press from the first minute and had a chance in the fifth minute through Salah who outwitted Matty Cash, but his shot at the near post was pushed over by Emiliano Martinez.
A golden opportunity came in the 13th minute when TyroneMings failed to anticipate Jota’s cross and the ball fell to Salah’s feet. Just face the goalkeeper, Salah kicks sideways.
Two minutes later, Liverpool stormed again to make chances. This time it was Firmino’s turn to waste, after a kick from outside the penalty box went wide.
Liverpool are dominant in possession and make it difficult for Villa to build attacks. However, the hosts had difficulty creating clean opportunities in front of goal.
In the 31st minute, Liverpool got a free kick right in front of the penalty box which was executed by Trent Alexander-Arnold, but could be overtaken by Martinez.
From that opportunity, Liverpool were awarded a corner but Diogo Jota’s header ball still floated over the bar. Preoccupation with attacking, Liverpool’s defense was off guard and instead broke down two minutes before halftime.
Starting from a ball that Firmino failed to control in his own defense, John McGinn sent a short pass to Oliie Watkins in front of the penalty box. Escaping from Ozan Kabak’s guard, Watkins shot the ball through Alisson’s armpit.
Liverpool could actually equalize the score in injury time through Firmino’s shot from close range. But VAR then annulled the goal because Jota started the attack in an offside position.
Line-up of players
Liverpool: Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips, Ozan Kabak, Andy Robertson; James Milner, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota.
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa Ngoyo, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett; Douglas Luiz, Marvelous Nakamba; Bertrand Traore, John McGinn, Trezeguet; Ollie Watkins
(mrp/nds)
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