Mohamed Salah superb as Alisson flops – Liverpool ratings in Aston Villa draw
Liverpool dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa to potentially open Arsenal a route back into the title-race.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for the Reds, as Diogo Jota made the most of an Andres Garcia to give the Egyptian a tap-in, in the 29th minute.
Villa responded with a goal from Youri Tielemans in the 38th minute, getting onto a bouncing ball and striking a half-volley into the turf, past Alisson.
The Midlands side then took the lead through Ollie Watkins, as the England international put a fine header past the Brazilian goalkeeper on the stroke of half-time, following a beautiful Lucas Digne cross.
Salah picked out Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 61st minute, as the Real Madrid target fired home past a hapless Emi Martinez to level the scores.
Whilst a point on the night was fortuitous for the Reds, they will still be frustrated to have given Arsenal a route back in to the title race, as a win from the Gunners would cut the Merseyside club’s lead to just five points.
Arne Slot watches his team give Arsenal a route back into title-race
Alisson – 5
Consistently nervous and has failed to recapture the form that made him one of the world’s best, following an early-season injury. Doesn’t pull off the stunning saves that he once did. What’s really going on with him?
Trent Alexander-Arnold (off for Bradley 66′) – 7
Scored his second goal of the season, dangerous offensively but struggled to deal with Marcus Rashford.
Ibrahima Konate marshals Liverpool defence
Ibrahima Konate – 8
Marshalled the defence excellently and even cleared a shot off the line. Great block near the end of the game from a Rogers shot.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Dean Huijsen has been touted as a replacement for Van Dijk this summer, the Dutch international looked shaky at times, struggling to deal with Villa’s direct attacking approach. Looks in need of a mid-season rest.
Andy Robertson – 6
Liverpool fans want to see Robertson replaced in the summer, the Scottish wing-back struggled to deal with Morgan Rogers.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
One of the Premier League’s best holding midfielders all season, but was unable to assert himself on proceedings.
Alexis Mac Allister (off for Diaz 81′) – 7
Made all but one of his passes successfully, dictated the tempo well before being replaced as Liverpool searched for a winner.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Silky on the ball, was dynamic and resourceful, helping stifle Villa’s talented midfield.
Mohamed Salah – 9 – Player of the Match
Salah has been linked with a move to Al-Hilal in the summer, scored the opener before assisting Alexander-Arnold’s equaliser. Terrified Villa every time he had the ball. Sensational display by one of the Premier League’s all time greats.
Diogo Jota assists Mohamed Salah in up-and-down performance
Diogo Jota (off for Nunez 66′) – 7
Jota may be set to leave Liverpool, as he does not fit in with Slot’s long-term plans, assisted Salah’s opener but missed a really good chance later on.
Curtis Jones – 5
Playing in an unfamiliar position out on the left-wing, had a dangerous shot but lacked the pace to give Andres Garcia any real problems.
Substitutes
Connor Bradley (on for Alexander-Arnold 66′ – off for Quansah 88′ ) – 6
Fortunate not to have to go up against Rashford, with the English winger coming off at the same time Bradley was brought on, a tireless runner but the end product was missing. Forced off with a hamstring injury in the 88th minute.
Darwin Nunez (on for Diogo Jota 66′) – 5
Unbelievably good at getting in the right positions, unbelievably wasteful when it comes to finishing. How much will that horror miss be scrutinised in the final title analysis?
Luis Diaz (on for Mac Allister 81′) – 6
Failed to have the impact he would have hoped in his cameo off the bench.
Jarell Quansah (on for Bradley 88′) – 6
Not on the pitch long enough to have an impact.