A significant day in the Jürgen Klopp era saw Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bid farewell to Anfield amidst a disappointing campaign.
A recent upturn in results alongside a systematic change, with Trent Alexander-Arnold operating in midfield, has seen the fire return to Klopp's side but with their German manager serving a touchline ban, the Reds looked uncertain despite dominating the ball.
A Villa side in search of a first European finish since 2009/10 soon put the defensive deficiencies that have haunted Liverpool’s campaign on display once again. After a cutting counter-attack, Ibrahima Konaté’s clumsy challenge on Ollie Watkins saw the Villans awarded a penalty kick, although the forward subsequently squandered the chance from the spot.
They wouldn't have to wait long for the opener, however, as Jacob Ramsey slotted home Douglas Luiz’s whipped cross to give his side a deserved lead before the half-hour mark.
The hosts eventually shook off that blow and started to threaten, although they still required the heroics of goalkeeper Alisson Becker before half-time. In the knowledge that their top-four hopes were hanging by a thread, Liverpool emerged from the tunnel full of energy and belief, but they were denied a leveller within 10 minutes of the restart when VAR stepped in to disallow Cody Gakpo’s goal.
The pressure continued to build on Villa’s defence with Álex Moreno injuring himself when superbly denying what would have surely been a Liverpool goal.
With time running out, the Reds turned to Firmino to make the difference as he so often has over the years.
That turned out to be an inspired change, as the Brazilian turned home Mohamed Salah’s cross in the 90th minute to cap off his final Anfield appearance in style. Despite the emotional pull of that strike, a draw does little for Liverpool’s hopes of a top-four finish whilst Unai Emery remains on course to provide Villa fans with European football next season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)
