Liverpool and Villa play out entertaining draw

Jurgen Klopp's final Premier League away game was an entertaining affair, as Liverpool and Villa played out a 3 - 3 draw at Villa Park.

The Reds boss was once again left frustrated as his team failed to secure the victory, despite leading 3 - 1 with only 15 minutes left, as Villa sub Jhon Duran was the hero with two late goals.

• Jurgen Klopp makes just one change from the team that thrashed Tottenham last week
• Joe Gomez starts at left-back with Andy Robertson out injured
• Liverpool start brightly and take the lead after just 64 seconds when Martinez fumbles into his own net 
• Youri Tielemans fires Villa level after 15 minutes
• Cody Gakpo pokes home after Gomez's shot is pushed away by Martinez

HALF-TIME - Aston Villa 1 -  2 Liverpool

• Liverpool extended their lead early in the second half, with Jarell Quansah scoring his first Premier League goal
• Both teams have chances to score in an entertaining second half
• Nunez scores but has goal ruled out for offside
• Villa score two late goals to come back to 3 - 3

FULL-TIME - Aston Villa 3 - 3 Liverpool

Match Summary

Liverpool and Villa played out an entertaining game at Villa Park on Monday evening,

In contrast to recent weeks, Liverpool started the better of the two teams, threatening from the kick-off and taking an early lead when Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez fumbled the ball into his own net, after Harvey Elliott's cross deflected off a Villa defender and off Martinez couldn't hold onto the ball.  Minutes later, Liverpool could have scored a second, when Mo Salah cut in from the right but saw his shot deflected past the far post.

Liverpool were enjoying plenty of possession, especially down the flanks, but it was Villa who scored next, against the run of play, when Ollie Watkins got the better of Jarell Quansah on the left edge of the box, before pulling the ball back for Youri Tielemans to fire home from 12 yards.  The goal lifted the Villa fans, and suddenly it was Villa that carried all the threat, with Liverpool struggling to keep the ball.  But just when Villa looked like they were building up a head of steam, Liverpool retook the lead, when Diaz and Gomez linked up well down the left, with Gomez's shot tipped into the path of Cody Gakpo who couldn't miss from four yards.

As the half wore on, both teams had chances to score, but a combination of good keeping and poor finishing meant the teams went into halftime with Liverpool leading 2 - 1.

That soon changed, however, when Jarell Quansah jumped highest to head home a Harvey Elliott freekick, with just three minutes of the second half played.  The two-goal cushion looked to be enough for Liverpool as the game headed into the final 15 minutes, before two late goals from substitute Jhon Duran pulled Villa level, much to the joy of the Villa Park crowd and Villa manager Unai Emery.

The game ended 3 - 3, which was a fair result given the chances that both teams created, and summed up Liverpool's recent performances, with the Reds unable to keep a clean sheet or see out the game when it really mattered.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool match stats (Premier League)

Possession
Aston Villa 41% - 59% Liverpool

Total Shots
Aston Villa 19 - 14 Liverpool

Shots on Target
Aston Villa 5 - 7 Liverpool

Corners
Aston Villa 5 - 4 Liverpool

Fouls
Aston Villa 11 - 15 Liverpool

Player of the Match

Harvey Elliott- 7.5/10 - Another good performance from the Liverpool youngster, driving the team forward and creating chances.  It was noticeable how the team lost their momentum once Elliott was subbed off.

What's Next

Liverpool's final game of the season is at home to Wolves, in what will be a highly charged and emotional afternoon as Anfield says goodbye to Jurgen Klopp after nine incredible years in charge.

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