Jurgen Klopp subtly attributed Liverpool’s collapse at Villa Park to one of his players, as they witnessed their 3-1 lead dissipate in the final moments of the match.
Liverpool surged to a commanding 3-1 lead courtesy of goals from Cody Gakpo, Jarrel Quansah, and an own goal by Emi Martinez, who inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net within two minutes of the game’s start.
Despite Villa’s attempts to stage a comeback, including a disallowed goal from Ollie Watkins due to a narrow offside call in the second half, they seemed destined for a potentially damaging defeat.
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However, substitute Jhon Duran dramatically altered the game’s trajectory after entering the fray in the dying minutes.
With just five minutes remaining, Duran unleashed a formidable strike from outside the box, eluding Alisson to notch his first goal of the match.
Almost immediately after, he displayed remarkable skill or perhaps fortune by effortlessly flicking the ball over Alisson after receiving a pass from Moussa Diaby.
In the aftermath of his team’s collapse, Klopp, in what could be one of his final post-match interviews as Liverpool boss, expressed his discontent with his team’s performance.
“Prior to the substitutions, we afforded them too many opportunities,” he remarked to Sky Sports.
“It was very demanding for the boys. They allowed them too much space. They penetrated our defense frequently, prompting us to make the changes.”
Despite widespread criticism aimed at Alexis MacAllister for Villa’s second goal, Klopp actually pointed the finger at Virgil Van Dijk, whose errant pass led to Duran’s first goal.
“Then we made a mistake. We shouldn’t have made that pass. It happens, but in that moment, it left the door open,” Klopp elaborated.
Van Dijk
Despite Liverpool now being mathematically ruled out of the title race, Klopp maintained that his team remained fully focused despite their uncharacteristic relinquishment of the lead.
“We were determined to win the game. However, when we conceded the 3-2, that posed a real challenge. That’s the crux of the matter, that’s the tale of the game,” Klopp concluded.