With a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Monday, Liverpool closed the gap on Champions League qualification in their return to the Premier League after the World Cup break.
After five minutes, defender Trent Alexander-Arnold found striker Mohamed Salah with an exquisite pass from the outside of his foot to Andy Robertson, who gave the Reds the lead. After a number of Liverpool chances, the defenseman Virgil van Dijk scored a second goal, and Salah provided the assist to give Liverpool a two-goal lead before the break.
However the second half was tough for Liverpool. Liverpool recorded negative stats that could have denied them win.
Negative stats
Aston Villa was able to get back into the game after Liverpool slowed down their intensity in the second half. On a different day, Klopp's team might have allowed the hosts to bag the win.
After a slow start to the second half, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins scored with a header past goalkeeper Alisson, while Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah's missed goals gave Unai Emery's team hope. That was before Liverpool's new player, 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, scored in the 81st minute to calm Liverpool's nerves and ensure their victory.
However there are positive stats in the game whereby Liverpool put on a strong attacking performance, creating numerous chances, and the three points will be crucial in the race for the top four.
Content created and supplied by: SportsDine (via Opera News )
COMMENTS