The Uruguay international missed big chances off the bench as Arne Slot's side were forced to settle for a point on the road on Wednesday
Liverpool moved eight points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa.
A lively first half at Villa Park saw the Reds take the lead on the half-hour mark after an awful mistake from January signing Alvaro Garcia. The full-back gifted the ball to Diogo Jota, allowing the Portugal international the simple task of laying the ball off to Mohamed Salah to fire home.
Yet Villa had been causing Liverpool problems and were level within 10 minutes as the visitors failed to clear a Marcus Rashford free-kick into the box and it eventually fell to Youri Tielemans to fire home at the far post.
The hosts then stunned Liverpool in first-half stoppage time as Lucas Digne was allowed to whip the ball in for Ollie Watkins to power home a fine header and make it 2-1 heading into the break.
Liverpool hit back in the second half with Salah involved again. Trent Alexander-Arnold kicked things off with a surging run, swapped passes with Salah, and then scored with a low shot that took a big deflection off Tyrone Mings.
Slot opted to make changes and threw on Conor Bradley and Darwin Nunez in search of a winner, and Nunez was involved almost immediately but could only blaze a fine chance off-target after being teed up by Dominik Szoboszlai. The Uruguayan was then sent through again but was denied by a quick-thinking Emi Martinez, who came flying off his line to win the tackle.
But Villa remained a threat at the other end and did have the ball in the back of the net through Jacob Ramsey, only to see it ruled out for offside. Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen also had chances late on as Liverpool ended up hanging on for a point
GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Villa Park…
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Alisson Becker (5/10):
Some really shaky moments with his passing and also in the second half when he came racing out of his goal and was beaten by Rashford.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):
Was tested by Rashford but did OK and had some dangerous moments going forward. Scored the second via a deflection after a surging run forwards.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10):
Rescued Alisson at the start of the second half and was fairly solid. Made some important interceptions.
Virgil van Dijk (5/10):
Failed to sense the danger from Watkins for the goal and didn't look completely convincing against a lively Villa side.
Andy Robertson (7/10):
Put some good deliveries into the box for Jota and Salah which deserved better.
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Ryan Gravenberch (5/10):
A really tired showing from the Dutchman. Didn't seem to know what to do or where to be for the second goal.
Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
Seemed to relish the physical battle and got Liverpool moving in the build-up to the second goal.
Curtis Jones (6/10):
Some good moments, including a good surging run and shot, but not involved enough.
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Mohamed Salah (7/10):
Not his best game, but still scored the opener and set up Alexander-Arnold for the equaliser.
Diogo Jota (5/10):
Set up Salah's goal but a really poor miss after Villa had equalised. Hit the crossbar in the second half.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):
An energetic showing, had a shot saved and teed up Nunez for a glorious chance that was wasted.
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Darwin Nunez (3/10):
A dismal display off the bench. Missed a glorious chance from seven yards straight after coming on, beaten by Martinez in another opportunity and then wasted an attack by passing the ball straight out of play
Conor Bradley (6/10):
Tough night for the substitute who was forced off before the end with an injury.
Luis Diaz (6/10):
Given the last 10 minutes but couldn't conjure a winner.
Jarell Quansah (N/A):
Late sub to replace Bradley.
Arne Slot (6/10):
Will be disappointed his team missed the chance to fully extend their lead at the top of the table, but may be relieved to come away with a point after Villa's strong finish.
