Jurgen Klopp executed his triple pump with his fist in front of Liverpool’s traveling support. The manager’s pulse was still racing, but the emotion was now excitement — perhaps a little relief — instead of intense stress. And then, as he prepared to disappear down the tunnel, he saw his winner in the match.
Sadio Mane had operated mainly on the periphery. The striker hit a header and saw another shot taken offside against Luis Diaz. But in the 65th minute Manet realized his opportunity. And how it made him count. In its current form, you can keep it out for so long.
It was Diaz on the left, annoying Tyrone Mings before he crossed, but the goal that decided this high-octane game and excited the whole nation (just kidding, Pep) was about Manet’s movement and ingenuity. He is a ghost in space before shaping his body to shape the power in the title. Emiliano Martinez didn’t stand a chance.
Nor did Manet when Klopp caught him celebrating the victory. There was a big bear hug before Klopp fixed him in the headlock, playfully pulling him off the stage. Manet saw a late shot cleared from the front line by Matti Cash, but his eighth goal in 11 games proved the difference.
Liverpool deserved the victory, which returned the pressure on Manchester City before the visit of the leaders of the Premier League to the Wolves on Wednesday night, although it was not easy. They needed Alisson to make several rescues, including two to avoid Danny Ings. The first came after the Aston Villa striker touched hard; the second in the 84th minute, when Ings broke to the right of the door, the corner was tightened.
The villa was excellent for the first half hour. They scored early through Douglas Lewis and hardly went to bed after that. It was a night when Klopp rested on Andy Robertson and used Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah only as deputies.
Liverpool had enough to get the job done, the victory was characterized by rising levels of control and also digging in when needed. The only stain was a hamstring injury that forced Fabinho in the middle of the first half. Henderson’s arrival for him coincided with the tightening of Liverpool.
Sadio Mane scored Liverpool’s second goal at Villa Park with a header. Photo: Andrew Powell / Liverpool / Getty Images
Not that Villa ever got out of it on a night when the pace rarely dropped and referee John Moss struggled to cope. He infuriated Villa fans all the time, and there were times when it was difficult to predict his next decision.
Would Villa’s manager, Steven Gerrard, get rid of his beloved Liverpool? After their home draw with Tottenham on Saturday, the guest could not afford another. Gerard could be proud of the way his team played, especially in the beginning when they were fast and dedicated. And they deserved their lead, which stunned Klopp.
Ollie Watkins was the first to enter the back of Liverpool’s defense, following a high ball from Tyrone Mings, and when he cut and unloaded, Alison had to make a smart save. Villa is recycling and Douglas Lewis just seems to want it more than his markers when he attacks Lucas Digne’s cross. Alison pushed the effort, without real conviction, and with players on the floor, including Konstantinos Tsimikas and Joel Matip, Douglas Lewis finished simply.
Liverpool’s response was immediate and the equalizer was followed by a weaker defense, Mings made a mistake this time, receiving a free kick by Trent Alexander-Arnold, hammered under his spikes. Matip challenged, Diogo Jota came in and the ball hit Virgil van Dyke, who shot and watched Martinez throw his hand. Matip was close at hand to return home, and it was fair to say that the touchchart was lit.
Villa brought a rare intensity and this shook Liverpool, especially their defenders. Alisson faced Watkins and was lucky enough to get away with it, while Ings had to do better when he stood up to face John McGinn’s strike. It wasn’t Ings night.
Liverpool came to worry Villa with their exchanges and overloads on the flanks and had chances before the interval, ending the period of supremacy. Manet flinched, but the big chance was created by Diaz and Alexander-Arnold for Nabi Keita. Unmarked 10 yards and placed centrally, he completely missed his shot. Curtis Jones also shoots straight at Martinez.
Gerard and Klopp sprinted into the tunnel at halftime, a clear reflection of the urgency of the race, and it didn’t back down in the second half. Liverpool pressed and tried, Alexander-Arnold almost released Diaz with a beautiful ball on top.
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A moment earlier, Alexander-Arnold had taken a free kick right around the corner of the crossbar and the crossbar; after him he whistled another loudly. Ings played for Watkins and Tsimikas had to hurry, but Liverpool were in control, threatening the next goal.
This came when the reserve in the 62nd minute Carney Chuquuemeca played Louise in trouble and Tiago, who was also now, rushed. He won the ball and found Giotto, who moved it to Diaz. Danger. Manet’s header was great.
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