Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic late equalizer in Liverpool’s final appearance at Anfield to secure a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday and keep Merseyside’s Premier League top four marginal. saved the possibility.
Firmino, one of four players leaving on expiry, delighted the crowd with a goal in the 89th minute and serenaded the Brazilian after the final whistle.
Jürgen Klopp’s side are fifth in the standings with 66 points, three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who still have games to play. Unai Emerys Villa is seventh with 58 points from 37 games.
Jacob Ramsey kept the pressure on before giving Villa the lead in the 27th minute when he headed past goalkeeper Alisson to head Douglas Lewis’s cross into the back post. Villa could have taken the lead after being awarded a penalty five minutes ago, but Ollie Watkins’ shot went wide.
Liverpool seemed to have leveled early with Cody Gakpo’s close-range goal, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was ruled out for offside.
Firmino came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining and scored for Liverpool in the 89th minute with an assist from Mohamed Salah’s cross.
Villa held on for more than 10 minutes of stoppage time to give Newcastle and Manchester United a chance to still qualify for the Champions League. Newcastle welcomes Leicester home on Monday and could get a chance to play the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
United has two home games against Chelsea and Fulham to get the job done in Eric ten Haag’s first season as manager.
