LIVERPOOL take on former captain Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa knowing nothing less than a win will do to keep them in the title race.
The Reds faltered in their pursuit of leaders Man City on Saturday, drawing 1-1 at home to Spurs.
That draw leaves them three points behind City with three matches remaining.
Aston Villa have little more than pride to play for in their final four games, but they did manage to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory at Burnley on Saturday, which ended the Lancastrians’ recent winning run.
- Start time: 8pm GMT
- TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
- Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz; Coutinho; Ings, Watkins
- Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Keita, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Mane
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HT: Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
This is a massive 45 minutes ahead in the title race.
Anything but all three points for Liverpool gives City a huge advantage and potentially gives them the chance to all but win the title with their game at Molineux against Wolves.
Klopp will have asked his players to give all they can in this second half and bombard Martinez with efforts.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will be concerned how easily his side are being opened up at the back, reminders of last season’s encounter.
When The Reds go forward these cause Aston Villa some real issues and if the final ball had been better for the visitors they should be ahead.
Possession won’t win you silverware but goals will.
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HT: Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
The referee brings the half to a close.
A lot of action at both ends and either side could argue they should be ahead.
Now it may come down to whichever manager can motivate their side the most during the half-time interval.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
45+1. We are into three additional minutes of added time.
Jones drops his shoulder and cuts inside but again his shot is wide of the target.
The atmosphere has dropped here, it must be pie and a pint time.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
44. Luis Diaz will never let you settle as a defender.
With his pace he can make up the distance on you even if you think you are are safe.
Brilliant signing and piece of business by Klopp and his staff.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
42. It has been an even first half at Villa Park.
The scoreline reflects the performances.
Curtis Jones tries to bend one in the corner from outside of the box but Martinez saves with ease.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
40. The visitors push forward and the press forces Konsa to put the ball out for a throw in.
Matip goes on one of his adventures forward before feeding Alexander-Arnold.
On this occasion his cross is just too deep.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
38. Villa are managing to crowd Liverpool out defensively.
This time Coutinho fouls Jones.
Immediately Diaz is poleaxed by Digne.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
36. Villa are looking to frustrate Liverpool.
The tactic seems to be to evade the high press and use the additional numbers.
Liverpool are lapping the ball up when they have to go long as their out-ball from defence.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool – Keita chance!
34. What a chance wasted by Liverpool’s Naby Keita.
Alexander-Arnold gets forward down the right for the first time.
He delivers perfectly but Keita cannot sort his feet out, unmarked yards from goal.
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Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa
32. The Klopp half-time hairdryer treatment is becoming a regular thing for their German manager in recent games.
He will need to rile these players up as they are creating all of their own problems still.
Mane puts the ball in the net as Diaz lays it off but both players were well offside.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
30. Liverpool try to get their passing game going again.
Their fans get behind them, knowing how important the points are.
Villa turn the ball over and look to attack themselves.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
28. Fabinho is replaced by Jordan Henderson.
The Liverpool captain will need to get his side going.
It has taken the wind out of the Villa sails somewhat.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
26. Fabinho has a rare loose touch and gifts it to Coutinho.
Liverpool are the architects of their own problems here.
Diaz wins a Liverpool throw in own Digne.
Fabinho on the ground, Thiago and Henderson out warming up.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool – Ings chance!
24. Huge chance for the Villa striker.
The ball comes into the box and he ghosts between keeper and defender.
He meets the ball perfectly with his connection but heads it wide.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
22. Villa are capitalising on the indecision at the back for The Reds.
Things are all a bit shaky after that Alisson error.
Digne is getting down the left, this time winning a Villa corner.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
20. Alisson almost gifts Villa a goal.
He tries to pass it through Ollie Watkins.
Luckily for the visitors he cannot get the ball under control.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
18. Villa are struggling to hold onto possession.
Liverpool transition quickly and find Jota.
Konsa gets a block in making an easy save for Martinez for the Portuguese striker’s effort.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
16. This has been a very end to end game so far.
Both teams are looking to win this game, of that there is no doubt.
Liverpool win a free kick near the corner flag as Konsa bundles Jota over.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
14. Watkins lands awkwardly on his wrist after a challenge with Matip.
He is back up and on his feet.
Liverpool are keeping Coutinho quiet in these early stages.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
12. Liverpool are at sixes and sevens at the back.
Villa are turning Tsimikas inside out down the right.
The visitors may need another goal to settle the nerves.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
10. It was important Liverpool found an instant reply.
They could not afford Villa to pile on the pressure.
The Reds needs to play like champions tonight if they want to remain in with a shout of being them at the end of the season.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
8. Liverpool are on the front foot.
Keita breaks through the centre and finds Tsimikas on the edge of the box.
He looks to clip in a cross which he mishits and nearly catches Martinez out in the Villa goal.
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Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
6. Alexander-Arnold whips in the free kick from out wide.
Mings fails to deal with the ball at his feet.
It breaks clear and the Liverpool centre-back pokes home.
What a reply!
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Goal – Joel Matip (Liverpool)
