In many ways, a result that perfectly sums up a truly awful end to the Premier League season. 3-1 up with fifteen minutes remaining, and a complete lack of purpose and intensity, leads to Liverpool dropping yet more points after a chaotic 3-3 draw.
Having been handed an early lead, when Martinez literally threw the ball into his own net, Liverpool soon conceded an equaliser. Sloppy defending cost Liverpool dearly, as Trent failed to stop a cross that fell to Teilamans, who had the freedom of the penalty box to pick his spot.
Then came the first of many tight VAR decisions, the first of which went Liverpool’s way, as Gakpo tapped in at the far post from Diaz. Somehow 2-1 up at half-time, despite handing Champions League chasing Aston Villa chance after chance, Liverpool again too often looked lethargic, lacking in purpose and intensity. Yes, Klopp’s men had little to play for, but so many players simply take too many choices and continue to make poor decisions, both with and without the ball.
The second half started with a towering header from Quansah for his first Premier League goal. 3-1 up but somehow, never in total control, Liverpool simply stopped playing. Loose in possession, and seemingly unable or unwilling to close out the game, Villa never looked completely out of the game, and so it proved.
It was aimless and largely pointless passing through the back line that changed the game. Mac Allister, who frankly looked off it all game, failed to take the ball on the half turn and Duran, the recipient of the error, left Alisson with no chance and the almost inevitable equaliser soon followed. Again it was Duran who found the net, though it involved a large stroke of luck. A forward pass hitting his knee as he ran forward and the ball deflected beyond Alisson.
With almost ten minutes added on, a Villa winner looked likely. Liverpool were not compact and, despite the four substitutions, didn’t look capable of seeing the game out.
You might argue, it was ‘heavy metal’ football, as promised from the outset by Klopp, but the new manager might want it a little quieter, especially in front of our own goal.
So all eyes turn to Klopp’s farewell at Anfield this Sunday. Neither Liverpool or Wolves really have anything to play for. Liverpool will obviously want to go out with a victory, no doubt in front of a raucous crowd, though one with conflicted emotions.
