Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa: Firmino Scores On Farewell But Liverpool Top-Four Charges Hits Buffers
Roberto Firmino scored a late leveller on his final Anfield appearance but Liverpool’s winning streak was ended in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
With Manchester United winning 1-0 at Bournemouth, Liverpool are three points off their rivals in fourth but United still have two games to play, so it looks very unlikely they’ll be playing Champions League football next season.
With Jurgen Klopp watching on from the stands following his FA ban, Ollie Watkins had already missed a penalty when Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring (27) for Unai Emery’s excellently organised side who were on the verge of becoming just the second team to win at Anfield in the Premier League in the last 42 fixtures.
However, Klopp called for Firmino and James Milner from the bench – both who are leaving the club in the summer – and it was the brilliant Brazilian, who was in tears at full-time, that forced home the equaliser with stoppage time approaching.
Villa were perhaps fortunate not to have the otherwise excellent Tyrone Mings sent-off in the first half for a very high challenge on Cody Gakpo, who also had a goal chalked off for offside after the break.
Aston Villa know a win against Brighton on the final day will guarantee them a seventh-placed finish which would mean qualification for the Europa Conference League.
